Advice Needed: Hand Chewing

Kye042 · August 2015

Im a FTM and hoping to get some advice. My DS is 13 weeks and has started chewing on his hand which is drying out his hands!

He refuses a soother (previously loved the soother) and won't take any form of teething ring. Also he's drooling a lot.

Any suggestions to get him to stop? Or to get him to chew on a toy?

LadyBlood · August 2015

He could be starting to teeth so maybe find something he could chew on rather than suck on? My son chews on his hands too but they aren't dry from it. He tends to chew on his blanket too. But we have this awesome teether he likes, it's like a pacifier but the part that goes in his mouth is more like a mouth guard that has little tiny bristles on it that kinda massage his gums as he chews on it.

kaycorey89 · August 2015

My DS is doing the same thing.. He is still taking his soother tho, but I find about half way thru his feeding he decides it's time to chew on the nipple of the bottle and play more or less. He gets quite the kick out of it, but he won't chew on any of the toys. My doc said it could be a sign of teething. Not necessarily that hes going to cut a tooth anytime soon, just going thru the motions more or less.

Roberta82 · August 2015

I just went out and bought a gummee glove becuse of this same issue. There's also the munchie mitt but the gummee one has a teething toy that is removable. I put it on the hand she tends to chew the most ... She was at first surprised by it but then loved it and was all smiles! She's 15 weeks now but has been chewing her hands for the past three weeks now on and off.

jennygirlmt · August 2015

People swear by Sofie the giraffe for chewing. I think it was a wasted $20 for us (maybe this baby will like it) but it could be worth it if it's hurting his hands.

MrsElizabethPlano · August 2015

It's usually good for them to chew their hands as self soothing is progression, but if it's harmful to the skin use lanolin or w/e nipple cream you like as it's safe for baby to put in his mouth. Or coconut oil.

Kye042 · August 2015

Thanks for the suggestions. I never even thought about the lanolin cream! And he has Sophie - loves her so much that he won't chew her just holds onto her hahaha.