Shirt-biting
A parent asked how to stop her son from chewing his shirt. Here are five strategies to address this sensory-seeking behavior.
A parent reached out asking for advice about stopping her son from chewing his shirt. This is a type of sensory-seeking behavior, and there are several ways you can support your child. Here are some of my favorite suggestions:
1) Chewy Tools
Provide a chewy tube, the Sensi, Myomunchee, or all of the above! I recommend working with a myofunctional or feeding therapist to properly incorporate these tools into your child's routine.
2) Chiropractic Support
Take your kiddo in for a chiropractic adjustment for cranial and nervous system support. Primitive reflexes can be triggered by physiological stress, and cranial adjustments can help address this.
3) Occupational Therapy
Work with an occupational therapist to implement a sensory diet for your child. This can include dry brushing, tactile input like sand, vestibular input such as spinning and swinging, and proprioceptive input through heavy play. My own kids love getting outside and searching for bugs — barefoot, of course!
4) Nutritional Considerations
Pay attention to inflammatory foods in your child's diet, support their gut health with probiotics, keep them hydrated, and encourage chewing on hard, crunchy foods like carrots and celery.
5) Exercise Library
There are tongue and chewing exercises that can make a real difference. Check out the Myo Magic At Home course for an exercise library designed specifically for these needs.
Which of these tips resonates most with you? I'd love to hear from you — drop a comment below or find me on Instagram!
You've got this - let's go make some Myo Magic!