My 5 Year Old, Eats His shirt...i Need Help!

I wonder if you could put something yucky tasting on an old shirt collar and let him wear it? I would use and old shirt so that you don't get stains on good clothes. Maybe try lemon juice or vinegar. I have never heard of anybody doing this on clothing but it is recommended for thumb sucking. Just a thought.....

One other thing I thought of is sewing the coarse side of velcro to the collars of old shirts. I don't think he would like the feel if chewing that. Maybe it would break the habit. Never heard of doing it but it's an idea!

Also remember to use positive re-enforcement. Maybe praise him or give him a small treat if the shirt is dry and not chewed!

I breastfed my youngest the longest and he had/has the same issue. I have tried everything I can think of. He's also in K5 he just lost his two bottom front teeth, I give him vitamins but I've noticed since he lost his two bottom front he's not doing it so much. He has made holes with his teeth on a blanket to chew off bits of it. Not sure if it's just the teeth needing to come out or not but the two bottom front teeth coming out made a difference. Not sure if that give you something to hope for or not.

As far as getting him how to stop, I am not sure BUT I do know that they make (boy friendly)necklaces and stretchy cloth type of things that kids who do this can chew on instead. This is a fairly common problem. You can go to Amazon.Com and look for all products from Pacific Pediatric Supply or the Sensory Institute. Good luck!

Hi- no worries- my 6 yr old also did this when he was 4 or 5- it's just anxiety. he will outgrow it in a month or so....just gently take the shirt out of his mouth whenever you see him do it and don't say anything...kids will do this when they are uncomfortable or in new situations...my older son did it too when he started a new school, but it stopped as quickly as it started. Try not to stress about it. good luck

Sounds like he is getting ready to grow his adult teeth. One of mine did this when she started to feel her adult teeth form, but before she lost any of her baby teeth. Her gums were sensitive. I used the rub on teething medication for infants, I also gave her sugar free gum to help ease the discomfort.

He could be getting ready to loose some front baby teeth, it could be stress and that is his release, nervous habit, etc. What ever it is, call his attention to it when you see him do it. Make him realize when he is doing it and you need to take notes of what is going on when he is doing it as well so you can figure out what is causing it. If he is doing it at school too, get his teachers on board as well so they can help eliminate the problem.

If you son is embarrassed about wearing his shirts all chewed up, stop buying him new clothes too. Make him wear the chewed up ones so he can explain to people why they look like that.

Good luck
S.

I was a breast fed baby and i still sucked my finger for comfort i like it it felt good my mother tried everything and one i just felt that i was ready to stop same thing your son eating his shirt its for comfort it feel good he likes doing it. it's something he will grow out of or if he can find something else as a comfort. Its hard to explain but he will grow out of it.

my daughter is 5 and she does that too! i am constantly telling her to get her shirt out of her mouth! i am at loss too!