GUM Chewing!

My oldest got it at a very young age (2 i think) My 2nd just wanted it so badly, but would swallow it after 2 minutes. She finally was able to chew it about 3.5 years.

My son was really interested in chewing gum around the time he turned three. He had a couple of older (by a few months) friends who did. So...the Easter bunny brought him some in his basket. He tried to chew it and swallowed it right away. We took a couple day break, then let him try again. We kept this up for about 1-2 weeks until he could finally chew it without swallowing it. He loves it now and it is a special treat he gets once or twice a week usually.

I would definitely think your daughter is ready at 4 yo.

When they know not to swallow it, some kids take longer then others. So it really just depends on when they understand to chew and not swallow

Hi S.,

My daugher is 4 and she loves gum. I just made sure tell her gum goes only in your mouth or in the trash. And then asked her many times while she was first chewing it "where does gum go?" She's only swolled it a few times.

Each child is different. My daughter has friends younger than her who chew it. No matter what I say she doesn't understand not to swallow. So I just never give it to her.

I agree with the last post. My oldest was about 3 or 4. My 3yo totally doesn't get it. I have a friend who's 2yo did just fine (he got it from older siblings, not mom) :). We just try it every few months or so. GL! Have fun!

Hopefully never :). I have a fabulous dentist who's been doing great work for decades. His complaint about gum is the jaw problems that it causes, not cavity issues. My complaint about gum is finding it in the house (wall, under the counter, floor, clothes, hair) or seeing it chewed in public when it is nicer not to (i.e. church, during school). We discourage gum chewing in our family for all of the above reasons, from good old-fashioned propriety to home cleanliness habits. Good luck.