Easy Question...

you can try giving him a little bit and tell him if he does not swallow his gum then you would allow him chew gum. if he swallows it then don't give him anymore. just give him a little bit and I would try sugar free gun. you can also ask him to tell you when hes ready to stop chewing so you can put it in tissue to toss.

Hi, my son is 8 years old and he is not allowed to chew gum. There are a few reasons. The main reason is that when I first had him I took a CPR class and the instructor had some amazing statistics about kids dying from choking on gum or hard candy. It is the #1 thing that children die from....at least it was back then. Sorry to all those out there that allow it...but it's just not worth it to me.

Also, a family member allowed her children to chew gum at around 3 yrs old and they found gum in places you wouldn't believe. It just doesn't seem worth it. I hope this helps.

Doesn't matter what other people are doing honestly. If you feel he is too young then don't let him have it. My kids never had gum until they were much older. In fact my 7 yr old has never had gum. Gum isn't a necessity and just because everyone else has it doesn't mean your child has to have it.

My son was probably around 3 or so. He was always good about not swallowing the gum. To protect her teeth, I'd just give her sugar-free gum though.

L.

My oldest was 5 when he started,my middle was 4she she had it(only because my SIL didn't listen to me and gave it too her)and my youngest is 2 and isn't allowed it yet.He askes for it when the older 2 get gum but i give him special mints so it balances out

J.

I started letting my kids chew gum around age 3.

My niece is almost 4 and nephew is 2 1/2 and they both chew gum. Not all the time, but they always ask for it as a "special treat" every time they see me :)

My oldest son was 2 1/2 when he started chewing gum and my 5 1/2 year old son currently has never tried. I left it up to them as long as they didn't swallow it. As far as a choking hazard, my kids have choked on pasta, pizza cheese, and hotdogs...my point is they can choke on anything! MY biggest problem was that when my son was done chewing on it, it ended up in the MOST aweful places...like the carpet!

My daughter is 4, my neices are 2, 3, and 4, and they all chew gum. The only thing we worry about is it getting on the rug, lol. It's your call.

my daughter is four and loves to chew gum. i just tell her not to swallow it and she spits it out when she's done!!! I guess if your child listens, than he will probaly be okay
C.
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Despite what other children are doing these days, I do not let any of my children chew gum, nor drink soda. I have told them, they are not of age depsite what others may do. My age for allowance of gum chewing and soda will not start unless they are ten.
mother of 4. (9, 6, and a set of 2 yr. old toddlers)

I started letting my 3 and a half year old chew gum and she is really good about not swallowing it but I still battle with her taking it out of her mouth. Due to this her 2 year old brother always wants it too. I stick to sugar free and very small pieces so that if they do swallow it they won't choke on it. If you get the soft cubes I give a half to my daughter who is good about not swallowing it and just a pinch to her little brother. They want it every day. You can also get the ones that are tiny rocks so you can give just a tiny bit. It is really up to you each child and how much you are allowing them to chew. Oh and most important is to make sure you supervising or it ends up in thier hair etc...because my kids love to take it out and roll it into a ball.

when it comes to giving the child gum. That is your chose. My two oldest are 8years old and i still am not one to give it to them. Go by what you feel and not anyone else. You know your son better then anyone else.

I think I started letting my kids chew gum around 2. My 5 year old just stopped swallowing it last year. And my 2 1/2 year old still swallows it.

I was very strict and it happened by accident with the in-laws at 4 1/2 but they do get some I allow itsupervised and never in the car or out of my sight to be sure they don't choke. Try to hold off as long as you can, it is a pain and gets stuck everywhere if you don't remind them to keep it in their mouth. I will also take it away if I see out of the mouth and they are playing with it or smacking it loudly.
I had friends that allowed it younger but it is a personal choice. I would personally say never, I just tell my girls it is bad for their teeth and if they want cavities chew it and that curbs the idea for a while. And we use it as a reward if we need to.

Maybe I'm overprotective but I never allowed my daughter to chew gum, until she was at least 5 or 6 and then it was very infrequently. Even then I worried about her choking. We can't be everywhere watching them at all times and let's face it, kids can be nuts at times.

I don't think gum is necessary for any child's diet.

Perhaps you should ask your pediatrician about the guidelines they use for that.

I let my daugther chew gum when she turned 4. She did shallow it a few times, but quickly got good about putting it in the trash (and not in her belly!).

I think it's a personal preference. If you feel like she can have it give it to her if not then don't. My children are 4 & 5 soon to be 5 & 6 in March and I tell them that are still to little for gum. This is ok with them now. They have accepted it. They just say oh when we get bigger we can have it & I say yea. LOL. Do whatever you feel is right. I know my kids see kids their ages with it but like I said it really doesn't bother them anymore.

Hi M.,
My oldest is 8 and she is still not allowed to chew gum. I was not allowed to chew gum until I was 15, because my mom hated to see anyone chewing gum, and the fact that when I was 6 I stuck gum to my little brother's eye brow and my mom had to cut it out.