Does Your Child Chew on Everything? 3 Common Questions Parents Ask
Chewing is a typical behavior for teething babies and toddlers, but some older kids can develop chewing as a habit.
Kids can chew for many reasons, including stress or anxiety, the need for sensory stimulation, body awareness difficulties, concentration, and boredom.
Some activities can help kids reduce chewing habits, but speak to a healthcare provider if your child is chewing excessively, without clear cause, and/or has trouble stopping.
Why do kids chew?
For babies and toddlers (until around age 2), chewing is a typical sign they’re teething, and also their way of exploring the world around them. But even some older kids develop a habit of chewing. This isn’t chewing a favorite food or little snack, but rather inedible objects (clothing, pens, toys) that comfort them. When a child is chewing it can be for a number of different reasons. Each child is unique and has their own reason for chewing.
Possible Reasons Behind Your Child's Chewing
These are some, but not all, possible causes for chewing in children:
Stress/Anxiety: Similar to fidgeting or bouncing a leg, chewing can be a sign your child feels stressed or nervous. If you are concerned your child may be experiencing anxiety, talk to their healthcare provider.
Sensory Stimulation: For children with sensory processing difficulties, stimming (a repetitive movement that stimulates a sense regularly) can help them manage sensory information. Chewing is one form of stimming some children use. Learn more about sensory development.
Body Awareness: Does your child not realize when they have food on their lips? Or do they sometimes put too much food in their mouth? This can be because they are having difficulty sensing these things and what is appropriate. Learn more about proprioception, the body awareness sense.
Concentration: Have you ever seen someone so focused on what they’re doing, they don’t even notice they’re chewing on the end on their pen? This happens to kids too! It’s common for chewing to help focus because it’s a repetitive motion and can block out other distractions.
Boredom/Habit: Some kids will unknowingly chew on the sleeve or collar of their shirt simply because they are bored. For other kids, chewing may be a learned habit, like biting nails. If you suspect boredom is the cause for your child’s chewing, try some of these activities to keep them busy!
How can I determine why my child is chewing?
Understanding the reason behind your child’s chewing may take a little observation and conversations with their healthcare provider. Before your next visit, take note of trends or patterns you notice about your child’s chewing. Look at their behavior to see:
If chewing happens at a certain time of day
If your child only chews in certain places or scenarios, e.g. only during school, when meeting new people
If your child chews on specific types of objects, e.g. soft or hard
How can I help my child stop chewing?
Knowing the cause is key to helping your child stop or reduce their chewing. If they chew for sensory stimulation, there are some activities that can help your kiddo receive oral sensory input in different ways, such as:
Drinking with a straw, including thick liquids, e.g. pudding or applesauce
Blowing bubbles
Blowing up balloons
Chewing gum
Brushing teeth with an electric toothbrush
Eating crunchy snacks, like celery
Humming or using your mouth to buzz like a bee
Blowing whistles or wind instruments
Using chewable jewelry
Getting input in these ways can help your little one because they won’t be relying only on chewing to get the oral sensation they’re looking for. Fidget toys are another great option for redirecting chewing as an oral fixation or nervous habit.
When to Seek Professional Help for Chewing Behavior
Some children naturally grow out of habits like chewing with time and parental guidance, while others may need extra help. If your child is chewing excessively, without clear cause, and/or has difficulties stopping this behavior, contact their healthcare provider. They may refer you to a pediatric occupational therapist or speech language pathologist, who can help by getting to the root of your child’s behavior and providing more targeted strategies to reduce it.
