3 Year Old Pacifier and Chewing Toys

I would not give it back no matter what he does. He is to old for it. Give him crackers to chew, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, etc...I would put them in a container for him and tell him they are his special foods. He is plenty old enough to understand and to not be chewing on everything. He may also be lacking something in his diet. My nephew used to chew on everything and my sister in law had to give him extra vitamins and the chewing stopped. Also the doctor told her to give him a cold teething ring to chew but do not give the pacifier back..

If he is chewing that much, maybe something is bother him, maybe he is growing his molars? Maybe he is just missing his comfort.
I would take him to see the doc. just to make sure nothing is going on, and also will check for incoming molars.
I wouldn't give him the pacifier back, I would rather find a save chew toy that he can use. And let him chew on that and only that.

Your little guy sounds like he probably has sensory integration issues. (Not necessarily a big deal; I've had sensory weirdness my whole life, and I'm otherwise "normal.") These can exhibit in lots of different ways; aversion to certain sounds, liking or disliking different kinds of touch, textures, or pressures on the body, etc.

Kids often have more than one, but oral issues are really common. Google Sensory Integration Disorders for lots of useful information, including websites that sell all sorts of devices to help such children. There are specially designed "chew toys" that are designed to be safe and satisfying. Good luck.

Here's a very helpful checklist to get you started. You may recognize other strong preferences or aversions you son has, as well: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-proces...

You might consider checking with his doctor to see if there is an underlying physical issue, or if he would recommend an evaluation for sensory issues. Please don't give him the pacifier back now that he is chewing so vigorously. It is very easy to bite the end of pacifiers off and it is the perfect size to cause a child to choke/stop breathing. There are "chew toys" that are sold for children that are safe to chew on. These are used very often in the school settings to help children with sensory needs. I have seen many preschool and kindergarten students with one attached to the shirt so they use that instead of something unsafe to satisfy their chewing needs. Here is a link for one site that sells them (scroll down for the chewy toys). I am sure there are many others, this is just the first one I found. http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/chewy-tubes.html
Best of luck to you. I am sure I would be constantly worried if my child were doing the same.

It is a cranial problem- the chewing is the body trying to put the cranial bones into place, and he'll continue to chew until, and unless it gets fixed. This is why anyone sucks their thumb also.
Contact the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association for a referral and get this fixed. In the meantime please give him the pacifier- it is safer than what he has else he has used.
Send me a message if you'd like additional information,
best, k

Try buying him a "Sophie the giraffe" to chew on...almost indestructible all natural rubber...then just hand it to him when he tries to chew on other things & tell him "this is your chewie...good luck!!

Talk to his doctor about this. No, at the age of three most children aren't chewing on everything.

He is seeking proprioceptive input. He needs a sensory diet of activites to help organize and regulate his brain and Central Nervous System. I would go to an occupational therapist who specializes in SPD (sensory processing disorder) and have him evaluated. It won't go away on it's own and he won't grow out of it. It might change and morph into somehitng different but it will always be there. Get it checked out at 3 instead of waiting for bigger problems later on. If you need any help with providers, let me know.

I'm sorry, that I don't have advice about the sticking things in his mouth. I did want to say, that I don't think it's good idea to give the pacifier back. They can cause really bad orthodontic problems in toddlers. It really can cause their upper front teeth to protrude among other things.

Give your doctor a call. There may be a medical reason why your son is chewing things at that age. Good luck!

My daughter also had her pacifier until three months ago, and she turns three years old this week. I was advised to supplement her with a calcium-magnesium powder. The dosage is a quarter of a teaspoon a day. Apparently some toddlers may be deficient in calcium and magnesium and need to suck on the pacifier. I tried it, and it worked! I don't know whether this will help you, but it assisted us. Good luck!