I remember the day my son figured out how to get his tiny thumb into his mouth. He was 4 months old, and when I went to check on him during a nap he was sucking away. I snapped a picture and texted it to my husband. We celebrated this milestone, because once he found his thumb he started sleeping through the night! It was life-changing and amazing!
He was a very colicky and difficult baby. It was tough times. He was later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, which meant his thumb-sucking was a real blessing. He did not like to be soothed in a typical way. If he was upset as a baby or toddler, my mere presence could make it worse. So his thumb was his way to self-soothe, and I was very grateful for it.
We did not realize that eight years later we would still have a thumb sucker.
Yup, he still sucks his thumb. And now he is also chewing on everything. He chews on his clothes, straws, zippers, and, once, a magnet. If there is any random item near him, he puts it in his mouth. But the worst part of this oral fixation is the toys — he has destroyed some of his toddler brother’s toy dinosaurs by chewing them so hard!
I have gotten specific chew toys for him. He chews right through them and destroys them. I have gotten the chew necklaces. He chewed through every style of those as well. These chew toys are not cheap, and he could go through a necklace a day. Plus, then he has a slimy wet necklace around his neck. Gross.
I constantly ask him to take his thumb out of his mouth or stop chewing on that toy. Or I simply say “dry,” and he stops. But the thumb or the toy literally goes back into his mouth within seconds.
I now offer him sugarless gum. He chews gum at school as well. This is a great solution, but, unfortunately, constant gum chewing can lead to headaches, and we have been advised not to overdo it.
I am at my wits end with this oral fixation! I know it is a habit, and habits are hard to break — especially for a child with special needs. But I cannot take it anymore. I feel like my house is covered in saliva, and I am having serious anxiety over the constant “take it out of your mouth” comments.
I recently found these selfies on his iPad.
Please tell me I am not alone in this? How do you deal with oral fixation in older kids? I’ll gladly take anyone’s advice!
I hear you!!! My son is four (ASD) and doesn’t suck his thumb but does all the other things. I mean chews anything! I am constantly saying “no mouth”.
Now we have a one year old and his toys/binki’s are being destroyed. He has a constant rash around his mouth from chewing on things. I feel all of your blog! If I find anything effective I will send it your way. Stay strong Momma!!!!!