My Son Chews on Everything and Puts Everything in Is Mouth!

If you think he is chewing out of frustration from lack of communication, you could try teaching him sign language. Kids can pick it up quickly, even if they can't speak. And it will give him a sense of control. My son is 14 months & not talking yet, but he can communicate. He can sign: up, down, hungry, more, thank you, please. I am currently working on teaching him: help, book, drink. They suggest not to teach more than 3 at a time. Since he is older than my son, he should pick them up faster. There are also many more signs you can teach. I feel these signs are really good at getting you through most of the day. If you google "baby signs" a bunch of websites with free info & videos of the signs come up.
I know nothing about the chewing issue, but if you want to communicate with your son, signs are really wonderful.

One of my triplets had done this and just recently almost stopped and he just turned 4. For him, he was just a very oral child. His speech was behind so he chewed allot. When he teethed his back teeth he chewed much more. When he got frustrated, he chewed! LOL Things he liked allot like toys or movie cases, he chewed, like it was his way of getting closer to his loved items. He chewed for many reasons. This is something they outgrow. Just keep distracting him and averting his attention onto something else. Give him chewable things that are OK to chew and won't harm his soft teeth. I had to think of my Jake as a puppy, lol! I gave him his "chew toys" that were ok to chew and made sure he understood he couldn't chew anything else. He loved paper, books and boxes so I had to keep those away. It's not unusual.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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Sounds like a normal age related thing to me. He should outgrow it, or at least become more discriminating on what he chews on. I have one child who still chews on things like pencils and would chew gum 24 hours a day if I would let her. She is almost eleven.

He could be getting his 2 year old molars. They take a long time to come in. Have you tried buying him teething toys? Discovery Toys has some good sturdy ones.

Hi Christine,
I know that is frustrating...seems like we all have those things that we even get sick of hearing ourselves say! Sounds like you're doing all you can. Maybe have a few super-duty safe chewies on hand that he IS allowed to chew? Don't worry, he won't be chewing his spoon at his prom dinner! We joke that I'll have to go with my son to cut up his food! LOL Good luck.

He might be cutting his two-year-old molars. Other than that, check with your pediatrician.

I think it's all pretty normal for his age. My 18 month old twins chew on everything and it drives me nuts. My 3 year old son also used to do it and I'm trying to remember when he grew out of it and I think it was around when he turned 2. I think some kids just do it and there isn't much you can do about it. I liken it to how they are figuring stuff out - it's like one of their senses. So, when they pick something up they look at it, feel it with their hands and then into the mouth it goes! I'm sure he'll have outgrown it before you know it!

My daughter is 3 and STILL chews on everything! Her dr has assured me that some kids just have oral fixations and will put things in their mouths longer than others. My daughter has even chewed on her shoes (YUCK!). He recently sent her for bloodwork to rule out an iron deficiency and I haven't heard anything so I assume it was fine. She has also tried to eat random things (shampoo, lotion, etc). Your son is probably normal...just likes to put stuff in his mouth. Sorry I can't be of more help. If you're really concerned then maybe ask his dr for a blood test to rule out iron deficiency. Good Luck!

Have you receintly taken him off the bottle? He may be craving the soothing feeling. You could try sugar free lolipops once in a while or other safe things to chew on. When you do this try to teach him that this is for chewing not toys etc. I think you need to set some limits or he will continue to grow up thinking it is normal.Also, and I know you won't want to hear this, talk to your doctor, since he is not talking yet about development delay problems.

I would recommend your local Early Intervention office. It sounds like your son has a speech delay and would qualify for that right off the bat. They would also be able to help you with his oral issues. Usually just teaching you different things to give him for oral stimulation.
Two of my sons are that way. I use vibration toys on my youngest right now and I also brush his teeth 3x a day with an electric toothbrush. He is just seeking and needs some extra input.
I would also strongly recommend that you take away the nuk. It is not a good thing for your child to get attached to and it also delays speech.

I wouldn't worry so much about him putting everything in his mouth, some kids outgrow it faster than others. I'm thinking it was about 2.5yo that it ended for my one son. I would be a bit concerned about the no talking though. I had my sons evaluated by my county's early intervention program at 18 months when they weren't talking yet and they qualified for free speech therapy in our home. It is NOT income based at all, it's a state program. They were in it until they were 3. Now you'd never know they were late talkers. The techniques and strategies they will teach you and your child are wonderful!