Hello all!
My 8 year old son will not quit chewing on his clothes! I have had to throw away 3 shirts this week. Is this normal? I guess it is just a nervous habit, but how in the world can I get him to stop? Any ideas appreciated!
Thanks everyone for your ideas - they are great! He seems to pick a "bad habit of the month" and I suppose this is the one for now! His sleeves and collars look awful! I sort of wondered if he was teething, but thought that was just a baby thing! He seems to do it mostly during the day while he is at school and I don't think he even realizes when he is doing it!
I wasn't able to help, but wanted to tell you that was a clever heading - I was sitting here giggling!
It sounds like he is teething. They usually go through this phase about 6yo when the molars come in, but as with all childhood growth and development there is a wide range of normal. It is very very common. It is very normal and will last a few months before it passes. Give him something he can use as a teether and chew on nondestructively. My son liked to chew on a rubber band bracelet that I attached to another band he would wear around his wrist.
If you don't give him an alternative he will "eat" through all his shirts guaranteed! Good luck
It could be a self-soothing behavior. Does he seem to be having anxiety over anything? The compulsive act of chewing on the clothing might be triggering the feel-good/soothing chemicals in his brain to be produced. I'd call the pediatrician if I were you.
I don't think it's pica unless he's actually eating his shirts! Some kids do chew to help concentrate, and in fact, many therapists will have kids chew on things to help calm them and help them focus. This may be what he's doing. Can you give him chewing gum to help give him something more appropriate to chew? They do make rubber chewing necklaces that are made from safe ingredients, but you may have to search for these. I think if you give him something more appropriate to chew on, and maybe try some positive reinforcement he'll be able to stop. Positive reinforcement is rewarding him when he does NOT chew on a shirt for the whole day. Maybe give him a sticker each day he doesn't chew on clothing and at the end of the week if he has a certain # of stickers he can go see a movie or have a special dinner or something like that. Good luck!
my son did this when he younger.. lasted for a couple of months.. I thought it was odd when I'd find the bottom of each sleeve chewed on... but I guess it was just a phase.... I think maybe nerves too...However, he no longer does it....
My 3 1/2 year old will occasionally with his coat, shirt or blanket and I just tell him to stop. I used to do it as a kid. I chewed my sleeves and collar. Why? I don't know. I don't remember my Mom doing anything about it...I think I eventually just grew out of it. When is he doing it? Can you give him a blankie or something as a replacement?
sounds like pica...
Well...when I chewed my nails I bought that nasty tasting stuff to put on them to stop. Maybe you could find something horrible tasting, and put it with your fabric softener or something.
