Some toddlers have a tendency to pick up just about everything they can get their hands around, and unfortunately, this often leads to putting random things in their mouths as well. Some children are constantly picking things up and chewing on them, including toys and other items. If your toddler is constantly chewing on or sucking on random things and you would like to discourage this behavior, there are a number of different things that you can try.
For example, there are items called chewy tubes and chewlry that you can try. The chewlry are bracelets and necklaces that are chewable. Their primary purpose is to give your child something that they can chew on while discouraging chewing on items that are inappropriate like clothing and toys. Another option that is available to you is chewing gum, but only if your child is old enough to chew gum without swallowing it, choking on it or spitting it out someplace inappropriate. You can buy sugar free gum varieties, which are low in calories and actually benefit dental health.
Another way to provide some oral stimulation is to buy one of those vibrating toothbrushes that are battery operated. They provide oral stimulation to the child at home, and can reduce some of these chewing behaviors. There is also nothing wrong with giving a slightly older child a teething ring or teething toy, if it helps them deal with their need to chew, then it is better than nothing. Giving them an item that they are allowed to chew is better than constantly discouraging them from chewing on the wrong items. Sometimes swapping out an “okay” item for “no items” is the best way to deal with this issue. Don’t make your toddler think anything is wrong with them for chewing, just address the problem as well as you can.
Keep in mind that this is just a phase, and children grow out of it pretty quickly. Do not be discouraged if you cannot prevent your child from chewing on things on your own, this is something that you can simply wait out.
