Why Children with Trauma Chew Everything
And how to stop them.
If it wasn’t the sleeve of their school jumper, it was the neckline of their t-shirt.
Or their fingers.
Or any object within reach.
One of my kids used to chew on everything.
Even now, I remember the money I spent on new clothes and expensive uniform — only to see them destroyed days later.
To adults, it’s frustrating.
To our children, it’s survival.
So, how do we stop it?
We don’t.
Instead, we change the question.
From “Why do they keep doing this?”
To “What need is this behaviour meeting?”
“An unmet need remains unmet until it’s met.”
— Sarah Dillon
When a child chews, their nervous system is trying to help them out.
Here’s how.
1) It Calms the Nervous System
Chewing provides proprioceptive input — feedback from the muscles and joints that helps the body know where it is in space.
The jaw is a powerful proprioceptive muscle, one of the strongest in our body.
And rhythmic chewing sends strong, calming signals to the brain — helping children feel more organised and less overwhelmed.
It’s why babies self-soothe through sucking.
And it’s why many of us reach for gum or crunchy snacks when stressed.
2) It Supports Better Breathing
Trauma-affected children often take shallow breaths or regularly hold their breath.
Chewing disrupts that pattern — nudging the body towards deeper, more rhythmic breathing.
And that helps the nervous system move from fight/flight towards safe/social.
3) It Gives Them Control
For many children with trauma, chewing is one of the few things they’re in control of.
It’s simple. Predictable. Repeatable.
And when your world feels chaotic, that matters.
4) It’s Better Than the Alternative
If we try to “stop” chewing without understanding the need behind it, the child will find other ways to meet that need:
- Nail biting
- Chewing their clothes
- Even pica (eating non-food items)
Redirecting the need is far safer — and far kinder — than trying to suppress it.
Why Crunchy & Chewy Snacks Help
- Crunchy foods (e.g. apples, carrots, crisps) offer strong sensory input — good for calming or focusing.
- Chewy foods (e.g. dried fruit, liquorice, gum) provide grounding — helpful during transitions or moments of overwhelm.
It’s not about the food.
It’s about the repetition — the predictable rhythm that soothes the nervous system.
Practical Suggestions
- Offer chewy snacks or gum at transition points
- Build snacks into daily routines (switch out existing lunchbox items)
- Use chewelry or textured fidget tools in class
- Never punish chewing — redirect it with curiosity
The real question isn’t:
“How do I stop them chewing?”
It’s:
“How do I help meet the need they’re trying to meet?”
You’re not just stopping a habit.
You’re helping a child regulate.
You’re giving them a way to feel safe in their body.
And that changes everything.