She chews on EVERYTHING!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I have just about lost my patience with my DD

She chews on everything!!! From her toys to dvds/cds and even as far as my shoes!

I tell her no but that makes her do it more and she will do it because ive said no. I've tried ignoring her but once i look at her she does it even if she was going to or not. I've yelled at her and even at times i have smacked her i'm just so sick of every belonging i have having little bite marks or throwing out things shes chewed on.

As far as im aware shes not teething at the moment but she chews no matter if she does.

I am at a loss and its even frustrating DP as she gets into his room and chews up his paperwork.

It is really like having a little dog and i hate comparing her to one but its like that.

[Muppity]

Oh honey i hear you but it sounds like an attention seeking thing to me.
Try distracting her when she starts doing it rather than reacting in any way. And childproof an area for her to play so that there aren't CDs or paperwork or things like that there for her to chew.
It's also lovely weather to be outside at the moment so maybe go for some walks or go to a playground if she is really doing your head in. That way she can chew to her hearts content

[Lenny]

Children enjoy chewing whether they are teething or not. My nearly 4 year old still chew things from time to time - collars of t shirts, wheels on cars, anything he can put in his mouth. Our books are chewed, sippy bottle lids get wrecked from constant chewing, clothes are sometimes out of shape. I just ask them not to do it and then distract them with something else more fun if i can.

Does she do it when you are playing with her? Reading to her? or is it something she does when you are not around her? Just wondering if perhaps she is bored. Or perhaps she knows you will give her attention if she does it - negative or positive it's still attention.

Remember how young she is. Make sure you make her environment safe, and anything that is precious to you, try to remember to put out of her reach.

[Miss E]

Does she have a teething ring, or even some toys that you're happy for her to chew on? Rather than telling her no, maybe try taking the shoe (or whatever off of her) and saying 'we don't chew on shoes, if you want to chew you can chew on x,y,z' and hand her x,y,z at the same time. I had some success with DS throwing things and doing this with a ball. HTH

[onthefly]

If you don't want her chewing something you need to keep it away from her. She's not old enough to have developed impulse control - remove/replace and distract, that's all you can do. Telling her no (and yes, she understands no), or punishing her won't stop her (as you've discovered).

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I literally could take every item out of every room and she would either chew the carpet, the door frames or even the curtains! I am really not over exaggerating! I bought of those foam ABC mats and it was in the loungeroom and DP said he got so frustrated with her chewing on it he ripped it up and she put her face to the floor and started chewing the carpet! I've seen her do it too, and how she manages to get her teeth to chew it as its flat hard carpet i have no idea but she does.

I've done the whole distracting her with either "oh look bub its x,y,z on tv" or giving her something to eat or playing with her and ignoring what shes doing but once we are done she goes back and does it again. Its not a boredom thing as i have read books to her and shes sitting there chewing her sleeve or goes to chew the book.

I've also taken the item off her and sternly said "we do NOT chew on things" but i just get screamed at and she will pick up the first item she can and chew it.

[PumpkinZulu]

Just on a side note, it's probably a good thing the ABC mat got taken away, as they're toxic and banned in a lot of countries.

[Muppity]

Maybe get her something that she can chew (my dd has a soft cloth with a bears head attached) and let her chew it to her hearts content - and every time you see her chewing just remove whatever it is and give her the "chewie".

[helle]

Maybe get her something that she can chew (my dd has a soft cloth with a bears head attached) and let her chew it to her hearts content - and every time you see her chewing just remove whatever it is and give her the "chewie".

That's what I was gonna suggest.
We have a similar issue with ds throwing things, so we have been giving him a foam ball he can throw that won't break anything or hurt anyone as a substitute.

You can get lots of different teethers these days. Made from wood to rubbery stuff... You could get alot of different textures happening for her!

[Miss.B]

I have a thrower AND a chewer! lol. My DS is 20 months and still likes to chew things, but I just take away the things I don't want him to wreck, like CDs. I really thought he would have grown out of it by now So no advice hun, sorry, I'd love to know how to stop it myself too!