Shirt-biting

I had someone ask me for some tips on what to do to stop her son from chewing on his shirt. This is a type of sensory-seeking, so here are some ideas on how to best support a child engaging in that kind of behavior.

1) Get your child chewing on a chewy tube, the Sensi, Myomunchee or all the above. It’s also helpful to work with a myofunctional or feeding therapist on how to incorporate these best.

2) Take your kiddo in for a chiropractic adjustment for cranial and nervous system support. These adjustments help with primitive reflexes that may be triggered due to physiological stress.

3) Work with an OT on a sensory diet (dry brushing, tactile input like sand, vestibular input spinning/swinging, proprioceptive input through heavy play, etc). You can get your kiddos outside and provide this input in a playful way - my boys love being barefoot while searching for bugs in the yard. They can have fun while also having a highly stimulating tactile experience!

4) Watch for foods that may be inflammatory or triggering for them; support their gut with probiotic rich foods and encourage hydration. You can also encourage chewing on hard-to-chew foods like carrots, celery, and jicama.

5) Support them with the tongue and chewing exercises in the Myo Magic at Home exercise library. (If you haven’t joined my course yet you can sign up here!) 

I could go on with more ideas, but begin here - these tips will get you started on the right path. I’d love to hear from you - share which tip resonates with you the most!

You’ve got this - let’s go make some Myo Magic!