4yo Chewing Clothing?

[daycarediva]

He has a lovey 24/7 at home, and chews that the second he has it. I only allow loveys at nap, so he has replaced the lovey with his shirt.

If it were MY kid, he would be required to go change his shirt each time he chewed it but dcm doesn't want to do that (laundry)

I have also suggested to Mom that he have something appropriate he CAN chew on, but DCM says that's gross (yep, like his saliva soaked shirt and lovey aren't.) After nap his lovey is SERIOUSLY WET, enough so that I have to plastic bag it DAILY.

Have asked the pediatrician AND the dentist, both say there is no physical reason for it. He doesn't have sensory issues, speech delay, isn't teething, etc.

He also still mouths toys, but those are easily removed.

Yesterday he was able to chew a hole in his shirt in under 30 minutes (circle time). That is WITH me stopping after each activity (calendar, weather, song, book) to remove his shirt.

HELP!

[coolconfidentme]

What is it with kids chewing on clothes? Nobody ever did that when I grew or when I was raising my kids. Why do parents allow it to start? I don't get it.

[Unregistered]

It sounds like anxiety to me. When my daughter was 4 she started ****ing her thumb out of no where. She never even did that as a baby. Took her to the doctor and she was diagnosed with situational anxiety. She is very close to my dad and his wife, but she moved out and they got divorced. So the grandma she grew up with disappeared and she hasn't seen her since. She stopped about 2 months later. But whenever her anxiety gets really bad I notice her doing that or something else.

As for him, I can only imagine how gross that is. I don't mind a little but how your explaining he is spreading germs everywhere.

[MamaBearCanada]

O

That's gross and unsanitary.

If mom isn't taking it seriously give her some options:

Susie, I don't change 4 year olds but it's unhygenic to leave him in a spit soaked shirt. So what would you prefer? If he can't change himself you will need to come and change his shirt or you will need to provide bibs for him.

At 4 I wouldn't give him a lovie if he was going to chew it. Jim, Lovies are for snuggling not eating. As soon as that goes in your mouth you lose it. Then repeat until he stops chewing it. Once chance a day. Or ban Lovies.

Same with toys. If a toy goes in your mouth at 4 you lose the right to play with it. Perhaps give him some fidget toys that keep his hands occupied.

Your house your rules. If you require a new shirt she needs to provide them or you will for a fee. She's doesn't want to change his shirt because she's fine with you doing extra work but doesn't want extra work for herself. Put the extra work back on her. If she doesn't want extra work then she needs to work with her child on his emotions and behaviors. If there is no physical reason he's doing it then I'd put money on emotional, maybe anxiety issues.

Susie, I'm concerned about the shirt chewing. Jim will be starting school soon and you know how mean kids can be. Did the doctor give you any ideas on how we could work to help him with this behavior?

[Heidi]

One of my son's was a shirt chewer. He eventually stopped on his own. I think it was just a nervous habit; a de-stresser.

I like the idea of finding something he can chew on. Question is, what? A teething toy on a pacifier strap seems most appropriate (if anything is "appropriate). You could prompt him to wash it every time he washes his hands.

Nothing is going to be ideal, but I think trying to stop him is unrealistic and frustrating for both of you. It seems to be a need of some sort right now.

[Maria2013]

At 4 I wouldn't give him a lovie if he was going to chew it.
Same with toys. If a toy goes in your mouth at 4 you lose the right to play with it.

I tell the kid he can't play with toys other kids share (everything in the house) if he's covered in spit and that usually stops the behavior before it turns into a habit

[Lil'DinoEggs]

I purchased a bag of abilitations chewlery braclets. Dd is a thumb ****er nail biter clothes chewer at age 4. The braclets really help with keeping her senses fulfilled, she doesn't put harmful stuff in her mouth and I can disenfect it easily. I use it for any kid now that auto matically puts stuff in their mouth.

[Heidi]

https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?item=86410&minisite=10206

[Lil'DinoEggs]

https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA...minisite=10206

That is company I used. I bought a pack if seven bracelets off amazon for $28

[daycarediva]

I have chewelry for another child in care, he will only chew fabric.

He is allowed to chew the lovie 24/7 at home. If I remove it, he will NOT nap.

His parents arent nearly as grossed out as I am.

I pulled old shirts of my son out & have had him change 4x already today. Its 90m into his day!!

[NeedaVaca]

They have chewys that come in fabric! They sometimes have an animal on them too

[MamaBearCanada]

If he won't nap give him quiet activities or call for pickup. The chewelry company has absorbable fabric chews too. I would not be changing a 4 year old that often or for that type of reason. It takes too much time away from everyone else. If you want things to change you have to be firm & put it back on the parents otherwise nothing will change. They know you are it happy but unless there are consequences for them they will keep doing what is convenient for them ie. you dealing with the mess, sanitizing of toys, extra clothes, extra laundry.

[daycarediva]

They have chewys that come in fabric! They sometimes have an animal on them too

I will be getting some! No idea they made them! He will have to have it clipped to his shirt (a pp said paci clip, sounds the easiest) and every attempt at hewing will be redirected to that.

If he won't nap give him quiet activities or call for pickup. The chewelry company has absorbable fabric chews too. I would not be changing a 4 year old that often or for that type of reason. It takes too much time away from everyone else. If you want things to change you have to be firm & put it back on the parents otherwise nothing will change. They know you are it happy but unless there are consequences for them they will keep doing what is convenient for them ie. you dealing with the mess, sanitizing of toys, extra clothes, extra laundry.

Oh, I agree. This is the only issue I have with this family, good kid, good parents. unfortunately the calls aren't coming in for me to just term, either and I don't want to push the envelope.

I do NOT want him in a wet shirt (soaked down to his belly button) all day. I can't believe his mom is ok with that! HE changes himself, I do nothing but tell him to go change his shirt and there is a small stack in his bathroom cubby.

My dh says a bib, but I am afraid that parents will find that shaming. They are adamant he be a 'man' 'big kid' etc.

[Willow]

It is no more abnormal than thumb ****ing, tag rubbing, fuzzy picking, hair twirling or paci use is.

It's a self soothing/anxiety reducing behavior. I would never punish, shame or restrict a child for or from something like that.


If you feel the need to do something, ask the child if he needs a hug in those moments. Because that's all he is seeking and getting from doing what he's doing with the chewing. The chewelry is a great idea too. They do make fabric ones.

[daycarediva]

It is no more abnormal than thumb ****ing, tag rubbing, fuzzy picking, hair twirling or paci use is.

It's a self soothing/anxiety reducing behavior. I would never punish, shame or restrict a child for or from something like that.


If you feel the need to do something, ask the child if he needs a hug in those moments. Because that's all he is seeking and getting from doing what he's doing with the chewing.

While I agree to a certain extent (this is pretty extreme, all stuffed toys, dress up clothing, he will even chew other children's clothing if they are near him) He has chewed his car seat straps to the point that they are frayed. (not even going there about how loose they are and how dcp's aren't replacing them)

it is ALL DAY LONG EVERY DAY. I cannot constantly hug him. He is also NOT an affectionate child, even with his parents.

He does it 24/7, here, home, grandmas, all the same. So 24/7 anxiety?