Why does my child chew their clothes?

You probably remember your baby's oral phase when he would put seemingly everything he could get his little hands on into his mouth. Infants do this when they're teething or as a way to learn about the world around them. But what happens when a preschool or school-age child sucks or chews on his shirt or other clothing?

Sometimes an older child will develop the habit of putting the neckline, cuff or hem of his shirt in his mouth. He may chew or suck on the material until it develops holes or becomes thin. You may worry that this behavior will attract criticism from peers and teachers, or that it will be associated with certain mental health issues or developmental disorders. Let's take a closer look at why your child chews on his clothes and how you can help him break the habit.

Why do children chew on their shirts?

Oral stimulation plays an important role in your child's development. "Oral motor search has its roots in our most basic methods of self-regulation or soothing," says Monal Patel, MS, OTR/L, occupational therapist at the Blue Bird Day Program in Chicago, IL. "From infancy through toddlerhood, a child uses a search reflex to satisfy basic needs of hunger and thirst. Later, they may use this sucking and searching pattern to self-soothe, most commonly in the form of pacifiers and thumb sucking."

After the toddler years, some children may still seek to stimulate their mouth and jaw. This is known in the world of occupational therapy as proprioceptive input. "This deep pressure can be soothing for children as they seek ways to self-soothe that are self-directed and predictable," says Patel. A child who self-soothes in this way may chew on their shirt because it is easily accessible.

When to Worry About Shirt Chewing

Just because this is a natural and ingrained behavior doesn't mean it should be ignored as your child gets older. "By age three, kids usually stop putting things in their mouths and exploring that way," says Laura Grashow, PsyD, a licensed clinical child psychologist at the Child & Family Institute in Scarsdale, NY. "But I've seen fourth- and fifth-graders grabbing their shirt collars and putting them in their mouths."

Dr. Grashow says that shirt chewing may just be a harmless way for your child to gain sensory input or to calm down and focus. (Think about how many adults chew gum or bite their nails when they're nervous or need to concentrate.)

However, there are situations in which a child's shirt chewing can have negative effects. "The most important distinction is to determine whether the chewing or sucking is interfering with your child's ability to participate in their daily routines or if it is a safety risk," Patel says. For example, if your child's chewing is destroying a school or sports uniform or is a choking hazard, you should intervene.

Talking to Your Child About Chewing Shirts

Dr. Grashow recommends talking to your child if you think their habit of sucking or chewing on clothing is problematic. The key is to take a nonjudgmental stance. Your first goal should be to find out if your child is aware of it and if there are any patterns to their chewing.

You don't want your child to feel embarrassed about their behavior or ashamed of destroying their clothing. "A child can internalize that and think, 'I'm a bad person and a slob who messes everything up.' You don't want them to integrate that into their self-image," Dr. Grashow says.

Instead, try a gentle, exploratory approach. "You can say, 'I've noticed that you chew on your shirt sometimes. Why do you think you do that? What does it help you with?'" advises Dr. Grashow. Children may not be aware of the habit and will become more aware if you bring it to their attention.

If your child knows that he chews his shirt, ask him if he is comfortable doing it in front of classmates. You can also ask your child's teacher or caregivers if they notice any patterns and if he is being teased. This will help you determine if the behavior is having an impact on your child's social life.

How to Stop Your Child from Chewing His Shirt

You may think that your child's habit of chewing or chewing on his shirt is just a passing phase and no big deal. However, if the behavior is bothering your child or negatively impacting his daily 

Alternatives

A child who chews on his shirt is seeking oral stimulation, so offer him products made for just that situation. There are soft, safe chew necklaces that a child can chew on, including some shaped like shark teeth or beads.

Often, keeping a child's hands busy can help minimize shirt chewing, Dr. Grashow says. You can try offering your child a small paintbrush or fidget toy to keep him busy and keep him from reflexively putting his shirt in his mouth.

Consult a professional

If you're concerned about shirt chewing, Dr. Grashow advises that you speak with an experienced developmental pediatrician first. "They really know about child development and will cover all the bases," she says. "They'll look for difficulty concentrating or paying attention, how well your child interacts with others, whether there are any history of developmental or language delays, and anxiety levels."

If your child is chewing on non-edible items, the doctor may also want to do a nutritional assessment to make sure it's not impacting their well-being, Patel adds.

The pediatrician may refer you to a specialist. A psychologist can help if anxiety seems to be an underlying issue. An occupational therapist can help meet your child's proprioceptive needs with tools like chewable jewelry or oral motor skills exercises. Finally, a dentist or orthodontist can perform an exam to determine if there's a physical cause for the behavior, such as a mouth sore that is soothed by chewing or sucking.

When to See a Professional for Behavioral Issues

A Word from Verywell
It's not uncommon for children to go through phases of sucking or chewing on clothing after toddlerhood. In many cases, this is a way for a child to seek sensory stimulation or comfort when they're a little stressed. Usually, it's a passing phase that doesn't cause much harm other than baggy shirt collars or frayed cuffs.

However, there are times when shirt chewing can be a cause for concern. It's worth exploring with your child, and possibly a doctor, why this has become a habit and what seems to be triggering it. With information about why your child is exhibiting this behavior and an empathetic approach to exploring alternatives, you can help your child leave this habit behind while maintaining their self-esteem.