Child sucking problem!!

[PinkFizz]

This sounds daft but here goes. My son is 7 years old - a happy kid who is doing very well at school.But over the last 6 or 7 weeks I have noticed he is sucking absolutely everything till it is soaking.If he is watching tv he picks up a cushion,puts the corner in his mouth and chews/sucks it till it is dripping wet.When he puts his pyjamas on for bed he sits and sucks the edge of the sleeve till it is so wet I have to change him.He sucks the corner of his pillows till I have to change them,and to cap it all,he had football practise yesterday and when I turned up to collect him they were still playing,so I stood to watch where he couldn't see me,and he was running about whilst sucking the edge of his football shirt!! I have pointed all this out to him and he just laughs and says he doesn't realise he is doing it but it looks very odd!! Any ideas?? TIA

[spudqueen]

Over the last 6 or 7 weeks? Since he started back at school? Maybe you ought to have a word with his teacher to check that everything is okay and that he's not worried or nervous about anything.

Either that or he's got new teeth coming through!

[PinkFizz]

Hi spudqueen.No im pretty sure its nothing to do with school - he cant wait to get there in the mornings.And as for teeth - he always has one either falling out or coming trough and he has never done this before.Its so strange.

[tallgirl35]

Hi

Dont' worry.... my daughter is 9 years old and does exactly the same thing - and chews sleeves too. She only started doing it about 6 months ago and I know for a fact she isn't worried about anything, she's very laid back, doing well at school, has good friends etc and happy at home. I have asked her why she does it, she says she's not sure - 'I just do'. I think it's just a habit, like chewing finger nails etc. and am just waiting for her to grow out of it. I used to suck flannels as a child for a while at about her age - it hasn't affected me in anyway.

[bookermel]

Hi it is a really normal thing at that age. Both my kids sucked and chewed their sleeves, school tie, and the front hem of their sweat shirts. One at around 6 yrs the other at 8-9 It use to drive me to distraction, and I did nag them about it !! But they both stopped as suddenly as they began, within the normal 6- 12 mths that phases last! I've come across loads of other mums who have had this with their kids.

[PinkFizz]

lol - I guess you're right.He definitely isn't worried as he is sits there quite happily suckung his sleeve and chattering away so I guess its just a phase.Thanks for all answering.