Boy who eats his clothes!!!

[emmagreeny]

I have a friend whos son chews on his sleaves! He came home from school with half of his uniform missing. We have tried to think of something that tastes nasty to put on his jumpers,but just can't think of anything. Anyone got any ideas? My friend is worried about his health.

[CleverClogs]

What about brussel sprouts, no kid eats them!!!

[Headtime]

You could try putting that anti-biting nails stuff on his cuffs

[buttons]

I remember growing up with my brother and he forever had his sleeves in his mouth, i dont think he owned a jumper that didn't have holes at the cuffs. My mother tried everything to get him to stop but nothing worked. He eventually grew out of it by the age of about eight. Im sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear but i think perceverance (sic?) may be he best bet. She took him to the doctors about it and was assured that there would be no effect on his health.

[johntheplamf]

Tell your friend to try Marmite, You either love it or hate it. If he hates it, problem solved, If he loves it, New T shirt, Everyones a winner.

[TommyC]

I think your friend should also address the issue that her son seems to be a quite seriously nervous, anxious or disturbed child right now and clearly needs some help. How old is he ? Don't want to alarm you but this sounds very excessive to me, and I think indicates a serious underlying problem - much worse than any standard school shyness that I've ever heard of.

[lynzpower1]

I am a Childrens social worker- and see this kind of thing more than you'd think. Usually, it signifies a problem, and the child may be drawing attention to himself- how are things at home and school? It may be useful to speak to an org called 'young minds' who will be able to point you in the rigt direction, or have a quiet word with te school nurse. It isnt taken as seriously as it should be, as there may well be a problem that isnt known about. If there isnt a problem he may well grow out of it. However, i would advise that if he manages to wear anything and not knaw te sleeves, to give lots of positive encouragement and praise for keeping his cothes nice, and mayb for him to help with washing- eg helping put it on radiators etc, so he can learn to treat clothes nicely- again lots of praise when this is done, and no telling off when he does chew away. Some kids think that negaitve attention is better than none at all, so that could be why hes doing it. Id also have a word to the gp to see if there is any probs- he could be chewing all kinds of fibres which may get trapped in his insides and could cause probs with his internal workings- your mate is right to be worried about this- good luck

[madras]

My 5 1/2 yr old chews the buttons off his T-shirts and usually has a chew of his jumpers or pyjama top. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him - he's just a normal, happy animal. I hope!

[Hellion]

You don't say how old your friends son is. My son is 6 and he chews sleeves, collars and the fronts of his t shirts he's not got problems BUT his second lot of teeth are coming through and they are itchy and sore, chewing relieves the discomfort. As soon as the first tooth came out the chewing stopped, if this is a possibilty try giving him something to chew or put bonjela on his gums.

[RATTER15]

Oil of cloves mate! tastes really nasty and will not harm him, the taste will linger on the clothing too, I promise this will work, you can get it at Health food shops or chemists

[emmagreeny]

Thankyou Ratter15! I will go and buy some for him this lunch time. He does not now he is doing it which makes me think it is just a habbit like nail biting. I have passed on your concerns Lynzpower1 and his mother thinks he is very shy and covers this up by acting the clown at school. She works 5 teatimes a week and also thinks the time away from her is affecting him.She is looking for another job as we speak. Thankyou everyone for your help.I liked your Idea the best cleverclogs as he hates sprouts!