Mrs. A Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 He is constantly chewing on everything. His shirt, erasers, pencils, toys, puzzle pieces... whatever happens to be at hand at the time. Yesterday he was listening to an audiobook with headphones and he chewed the wire of the headphones so much that I had to throw them out! Is this a normal thing that he will grow out of? Anyone have any tips? I'm not sure how to help him break this habit. I've thought about letting him chew gum, but dh is thinking that he would probably take the gum out of his mouth and play with it all the time, and I think he's probably right about that. Any suggestions/help is much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Try the gum and see what happens. If it's bad, look up chewelry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Youngest would chew her fingers until they were raw and bleeding. We got her gum and it eventually stopped except when she is really stressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 I gave my sons chewy tubes to wear around their necks when they were at home. They eventually grew out of the need. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbeym Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 We use cheap plastic stir sticks, like you'd use to stir coffee. They hold up well to extended chewing and are flexible enough to fiddle with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 IME it's not really a habit you can break - just redirect to something that is ok to chew on. DS is a chewer. Chewy necklaces/chewelry as recommended above are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willa Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 My son's OT recommended gum and it worked great for us. My SN son also chews on (and spins and twists) plastic straws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 You can also leave celery and carrot sticks out around, stuff like that, to have lots of things to chew. I'd try the gum, and I'd investigate chewelry. You just need to have things that he can chew on. Not gonna break the habit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 When my son was younger we used something like chewy tubes, now that he is older we stock gum. For the most part gum stays in his mouth and makes it properly to the trash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTmom Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 oh wow, my DH is such a chewer. I need to look at some of these options. I have given him gum and after a while of chewing, it will make it into his hand and he will be just rolling it in his fingers. eew, more disgusting I think my kids will get a kick out of it to see daddy wearing chewelry :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Gum worked well for us for my oldest. Except then my second son started faking the need to chew on things in order to get the gum. “Look, Mommy, I’m chewing my fingernails, can I have some gum?†:) Oldest is also a fiddler, so having something to keep his hands busy seems to cut down on the chewing also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 That can be caused by a couple of retained primitive reflexes that are eroded by stroking the cheeks and mouth area. It is not a quick cure, so definitely give him things he's allowed to chew. Check also if he has a retained palmar reflex because if he does, you'll only be able to erode the mouth reflexes but not get rid of them entirely. If he can sit there while you tickle his palms 40 times with a paint brush without any reaction stronger than "That's annoying" he doesn't have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. A Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 Thank you to all who gave input. It's nice to have a place to start with this. We were just at a total loss! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Another vote for chewy jewelry. There are a lot of good options now, but my ds has Teething Bling, which was meant for moms of teething babies, but looks reasonably fashionable on my jewelry obsessed boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Vitamin supplements? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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