She Should Have Stopped This by Now!

Updated on April 12, 2009
J.H. asks from Billings, MT
4 answers

My just-turned-5 year old daughter has recently (like in teh past several months) started chewing on things. She chews everything! SHe chews toys, her nails, and I caught her chewing a DVD case yesterday. It's so distructive! I have talked to her about it many times, but she is still doing it! Any ideas of how I can get her to stop?

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B.M.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Hi J.,
Chewing can give us a soothing response. It is why we chew gum. Why adults use food to soothe themselves. Why one might crave chips verses yogurt. The act of chewing on things, at your daughter's age is a self-soothing behavior that has become an unexceptable habit. Many children do this. I work with many kids older than 5 who still chew on their fingers and hands. The key is to find something else for her to physically do that will take the place of this behavior for awhile until it is no longer needed. Whenever you attempt to change a habit, be prepared for a struggle. It isn't easy for any of us to change our ways. You could try to give her something to hold that moves such as a stress ball or a small plastic/rubber object that twists and turns. Whenever you catch her putting an object in her mouth kindly say, "Remember, use your hands, WE don't chew on things." You could also try having very crunchy snacks throughout the day, such as carrots, granola, apples, and have her brush her teeth many times a day. Maybe all of that extra stimulation will help a little. You could tell her that those things will help her mouth feel better so she won't need to chew on things.
Good luck. This will be a challenge, but you will both get through it. :)

This will take some work, but try to stay calm and kind

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M.S.

answers from Denver on

chewing on things can also be a sign of iron deficiency, I'd have her checked by her peds.

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S.S.

answers from Denver on

Has she been introduced to any big, new things recently (school for instance). Big changes in a child's life can trigger nervous reactions. This chewing on things can be the way she has found to deal with any changes in her life recently.

I suggest talking to her and see if she is feeling scared, overwhelmed or hesitant about anything that has started recently and see how you can help comfort her.

HTH

Have a GREAT day!

S.

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A.S.

answers from Denver on

Welcome to teething part II :-) Most likely she's ready to lose a baby tooth and the chewing is helping. Find something acceptable for her to chew and go with it.

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