just bought 3yo a pacifier

[mariamaroo]

I feel funny about this, because she never needed a pacifier as a baby, this is her first one. She has developed the habit over the past couple of months of chewing on her sleeves constantly, making her sleeves wet and soggy, which she doesn't like (I don't like it either, but I've been very careful not to make a big deal about it).

So yesterday in the store I asked her if she wanted a special toy that she could chew on instead of her sleeves. She chose a teething toy, and was very firm in wanting a pacifier! She seems to love it and has been chewing on it ever since.

Anyway, this is ok, right? If she wants it and it makes her feel better, no big deal, right? She is still nursing, and I'm assuming this chewing thing is either teething (late 2 year molars?) or just some normal phase that she'll grow out of, and in the meantime, who wants to have soggy sleeves?

Am I off base?

[jee'smom]

I think it's fine. She obviously needs to "do something" with her mouth, why not that? I'm curious to see what other people say.

[uberwench]

I think its a perfectly reasonable solution.
The need to chew/bite is just very strong in some people.
I personally chewed straws until well into college, and i still bite my fingernails.

[L&IsMama]

I don't think it's wrong,although I would have personally tried to find something other than a pacifier,simply because I have a 3.5 yr old who still insists on using one and has an open bite due to the extensive use of it. I don't think taking it away now that she has it would be right either,though. I don't think you were off base by any means,though,no.

[meemee]

i would do the same. but just something to look out for keep an eye for sensory thing.

try reading how to raise a sensory smart child

http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Sensor.../dp/014303488X

http://www.amazon.com/Out-Sync-Child...e=UTF8&s=books

[becoming]

Originally Posted by uberwench

I think its a perfectly reasonable solution.
The need to chew/bite is just very strong in some people.
I personally chewed straws until well into college, and i still bite my fingernails.

Me too!

I am a quoting machine today.

[NoHiddenFees]

We used chewy tubes. This is just the first link I found; they're available from many different places.

[teachma]

Originally Posted by NoHiddenFees

We used chewy tubes. This is just the first link I found; they're available from many different places.

Yes! I was going to suggest something like this. I know of one that children wear on a string around their necks. Looks like the size/shape of a tubular piece of pasta...don't know what it's called though.

[mariamaroo]

Originally Posted by L&IsMama

I don't think it's wrong,although I would have personally tried to find something other than a pacifier,simply because I have a 3.5 yr old who still insists on using one and has an open bite due to the extensive use of it. I don't think taking it away now that she has it would be right either,though. I don't think you were off base by any means,though,no.

I did try to encourage the more durable teething toys, and we did get her something like that, but she gravitated right to the pacifiers on her own, and that's what she's latched onto (no pun intended !) for the whole 24 hours since then, with little interest in the other thing.

We'll see what happens.

[Dakota's Mom]

My four year old still sucks his thumb. When I try to talk to him about it he says,"But I need something in my mouth." If he needs something, then he needs it. I'm not about to take away something he needs. She'll work this out on her own.

Kathi

[blsilva]

Sure beats chewing on her nails... Not that I ever did that...:

[TNMom]

Originally Posted by L&IsMama

I don't think it's wrong,although I would have personally tried to find something other than a pacifier,simply because I have a 3.5 yr old who still insists on using one and has an open bite due to the extensive use of it. I don't think taking it away now that she has it would be right either,though. I don't think you were off base by any means,though,no.

How, if at all, is this being treated? I just found out my 2 1/2 yr old has an open bite. I've looked up all kinds of things online and some sound pretty scary. I'm a little freaked out at the moment. Some encourage would be great!

[mamma.mia]

just fine

IMHO this is just fine. Like it was already said, if she needs to bite, give her something to bite! I'd watch her tho....if she starts sucking on it instead for hours, it could hurt her teeth, not help them.

[Sandrine]

I had to give my 2.5yrs old and my 3.75 yrs old pacifiers but for a different reason. They wanted to do what their little sister does. DD3 has a pacifier.

It's most likely a phase for us. I'm sure that in time they won't ask for theirs no more.

[gret the great]

My DD1 chews her sleeves when she is nervous or shy (usually interconnected states). My DS chews his shirt hem when he's bored or in deep thought (AKA spacing out )

I just let them chew away & try to help DD feel more comfortable in situations.

I'd just make sure she doesn't end up fiercely sucking on it. Chewing seems harmless.

[lindberg99]

My 6 yo still chews his shirts, gloves, etc. once in a while. We have a video of him skiing and there he is, chewing on his glove while he's downhill skiing! I wish I could be that calm and relaxed when I ski.

I wouldn't worry about the pacifier, it sounds like she's just chewing on it right? I think that sucking on it is what causes the problems.