Need help w/2 yr old, kinda Disney related

[chipper10]

DS has had a blankie since he was about 8-9 months old. His blankie is a receiving blanket. It can be any receiving blanket; he's not picky. Anyways, during our trip to WDW in September, DS had to have it everywhere. It was awful. And it's not that he just carries it around-- he chews on it all the time.
So, when we got back home, DH and I decided that the blankies had to go. It was around 2-3 days, but DS was fine and would sleep without them. This was October when we did this.

Then came winter. We put flannel sheets on DS's bed (he's been in a big boy bed since he was 14 months old). Well, DS immediately started chewing on the flannel sheets. So, we took away the flat sheet. Then, DS started chewing on the flannel pillowcase. So, we swapped out the flannel pillowcase for a regular one.

Well, now DS is chewing on his plain sheets. The sheets are completely soaked in the morning. It's terrible. I kind of want to give DS the blankies back. At least it's not as gross as the chewing on the sheets. DH is against this idea.

I just don't know what to do. I don't want to have to take the blankets everywhere though. I would just let him have them at bedtime. DS has never really been attached to any stuffed animal and he's never taken to a paci. DS just turned 2 on December 4th.

Any suggestions? What would you do?

Thanks for any help!

 

[amyj1024]

2 thoughts, my son is 21 month and chews on his lovey all the time...

Is he getting his 2 year molars? That could cause the excess in drooling, chewing, etc.

Second, do you have any other concerns about his oral motor skills?...like trying different texture foods, drooling, difficulty using a straw, etc. If this is the case, I would talk to your pediatrician, or possibly an Early Intervention program. My son qualified to get speech therapy--mostly because his lack of words and sounds.

If you aren't concerned, I wouldn't really worry too much about it--many children suck their thumbs, use a pacifier, etc until much later than 2. Your son could have just found a way to calm himself...

 

[chipper10]

DS is in early intervention. He was diagnosed with a severe communication disorder in March. He has speech therapy every week and developmental therapy every other week.

Maybe I will speak with his therapists and see what they think we should do.

 

[amyj1024]

Then I would DEFINATELY say something. Drooling and mouthing items is often a sign of poor oral motor skills. I am an Early Childhood teacher and work with 3-5 year olds (after they leave Early Intervention) in our local school district.
Just curious, but what do they do for speech with him. We are still waiting for a therapist to pick our son up for therapy, but I just am wondering what types of things they do with a 2 year old that doesn't talk...if you don't mind sharing! My son would barely make a peep when they came over to do the evaluation. I can't imagine what they are going to do when the therapy starts.

 

[3boymthr]

Hi,

Don't know if this will help but maybe a buddy blanket from Bunnies by the Bay. They're kind of expensive, but people swear by them. It's a blanket that also looks like a toy so DH may not be so opposed to giving it to him. They are the softest material and come in a variety of designs such as bunnies, dogs and frogs. Usually sold in children's boutiques but you can also get on e-bay. Compact and portable and washable.

http://www.bunniesbythebay.com/product_information.cfm?ProductID=113&Category=56

 

[Debbie7452]

You are lucky that any blanket will work for him. We have a teddy bear that we are always searching for cause it has to be REAL TEDDY, not any substitute stuffed animal. I don't know what will happen if we lose that little guy.

My DS 2 (almost three) has started bringing it everywhere, too. I kind of thought he would get less attached over time. The funny thing about my DS is that he only holds teddy so that he can rub teddy's two tags together...back and forth. Kinda weird! Teddy's tags are getting thread bare and starting to fray.

Sorry, not trying to highjack the OP. I would just let him have the blanket if it were me.

 

[chipper10]

The therapists do alot of different things. They bring alot of toys with them. They work with DS at saying what toy they have. Also they taught DS some simple signs, so he could ask for a drink, eat, more, all done, open, close, help, etc.

They use a lot of puzzles in therapy, working with DS to say the words. DS's speech therapist is a little more easy going, whereas his developmental therapist realy works hard with him to say words or to look at her when she is talking.

 

[mjkacmom]

Most of my kids had lovies (bunny, ozzy, blankie) that they slept with, and yes, chewed. They were just for bedtime (after losing one, and luckily finding it, next to a tennis court - panic!). My ds10 and dd7 still sleep with theirs every night, and can take them on their honeymoons if they wish - in this day and age, it's so nice to have a comfort object. There is NO way DH could convince me to take them away!

 

[mjkacmom]

Then I would DEFINATELY say something. Drooling and mouthing items is often a sign of poor oral motor skills. I am an Early Childhood teacher and work with 3-5 year olds (after they leave Early Intervention) in our local school district.
Just curious, but what do they do for speech with him. We are still waiting for a therapist to pick our son up for therapy, but I just am wondering what types of things they do with a 2 year old that doesn't talk...if you don't mind sharing! My son would barely make a peep when they came over to do the evaluation. I can't imagine what they are going to do when the therapy starts.

My ds was a drooler, and had no words at 18 months (I had him evaluated at 15 months, but it was too early, but he qualified at 18 months - the earlier the better for EI!). She actually used some spicy, crunchy food with him, and played a bit rough with him, and loud (he needed lots of stimulation, including his weak mouth muscles). At 22 months, he had a bunch of words, and we learned he knew all of his letters and numbers (and, of course, I worried he was autistic...). His drooling lessened (he always had to wear a bib), and at his 3 year old evaluation, he passed language up to 4th grade!

PSA - if your 2 year old isn't talking, PLEASE call your health department, get EI over for a FREE evaluation, and accept the therapy if qualified. There is absolutely no harm in doing this, but there is harm in waiting it out.

Okay, off my soapbox!

 

[puffkin]

Definitely mention it to his speech therapist. My DS wasn't talking at 2 and one of the ways he qualified for services is because he would overstuff his mouth when eating....which is a sign of poor oral motor skills.

His therapy is all play based. Lots of puzzles, books, and games. He just loves it. She also taught us how to play with him and talk to him. A lot of it was really basic concepts, but we had a lot of "duh" moments....sometimes I think we try to overcomplicate things too much. He has been in therapy since June and now talks up a storm.....he is down to monthly check ups and will be signed off at his 3rd birthday. He still has a few age-usual clarity issues, but his vocabulary is phenomenal (probably best in his preschool class). It is AMAZING that 6 months ago he was barely talking!

 

[mom22bless]

My son had speech apraxia and liked blankets. He is 8 now and also has a slight touch of asperger's. He went to a therapist every week from 3-5 (except summer and christmas)

I never really much cared if he chewwed on it. He stopped it about 4. I just figured it soothed him.

 

[amyj1024]

The therapists do alot of different things. They bring alot of toys with them. They work with DS at saying what toy they have. Also they taught DS some simple signs, so he could ask for a drink, eat, more, all done, open, close, help, etc.

They use a lot of puzzles in therapy, working with DS to say the words. DS's speech therapist is a little more easy going, whereas his developmental therapist realy works hard with him to say words or to look at her when she is talking.

Thanks! DS is able to do some simple signs already (more, milk, please, all done) but for the life of me I can't get him to say more than 'uhhh'
We will only be working with a speech therapist, as far as they can tell his other skills are age appropriate.

And I totally agree with the poster who put the PSA. EARLIER is better, waiting till even 3 years or 4 years can put a child so far behind. Call your county and get your child tested if you have concerns.

 

[chipper10]

And I totally agree with the poster who put the PSA. EARLIER is better, waiting till even 3 years or 4 years can put a child so far behind. Call your county and get your child tested if you have concerns.

I STRONGLY agree with this. I just had a feeling that something was wrong, but all the doctors said DS was fine. I ended up switching Pedi's and we had DS's hearing evaluated at 12 months. After that came out okay, we had his speech evaluated. At 15 months he was on a 3 month old's level of speech. six months later, he was at a 18 months old. EI is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[amyj1024]

Chipper I just noticed you and I are from the same state...
At least Illinois is doing something good