O/T Infant chewing on wood chairs

[ninahbear]

My DS has been chewing on our kitchen chairs and is ruining them. Is there anything we can put on the wood to keep him from chewing on them?

 

[pweyl36]

A RAWHIDE BONE?

 

[skent10]

A RAWHIDE BONE?

Obviously a joke, but pwel36 isn't far off from a solution. If you go to a pet store, there are tons of things that stop puppies from chewing. Because they're for dogs, they're safe and non-toxic. We use one called "Grannick's Bitter Apple" that you can spray on whatever is being chewed.

It is what it's called--it leaves such a bitter taste in the mouth, the puppy won't want to chew the item. The bottle (which I have right in front of me) does warn that it may stain surfaces, but I've never had it stain, either my upholstery or my wood furniture. It's been used in this house for three different puppies over the past 12 years. I never had a problem with any of my 4 kids chewing, but I wouldn't have hesitated to use this for them, either.

 

[NotUrsula]

Be careful with pet-store solutions; some things that are fine for certain pets to ingest may be toxic to humans. Check the ingredient list with your doctor before using any product marketed as non-toxic for pets.

 

[scouthawkk]

I would not use the bitter apple for a baby. Yes, it would work, and it is safe for humans, but it is pretty harsh for a baby (I have, however, considered putting a little on DS's fingers to keep him from biting them-yes, I said biting, he doesn't suck his thumb/finger, he bites them). I have been sprayed with it on acccident, and it is pretty powerful stuff (now, if only it would keep my cat from chewing our electrical cords-he somehow actually likes the bitter taste!). There is some kind of a pepper component to it that could cause a bad reaction in a very little person, and it will burn eyes.

Maybe one of those table/fireplace bumper wraps? It may not keep him from chewing, but it will help protect the furniture (of course, if he likes the taste of the wood, and that goes away...). We had corner bumbers on one of our tables. It not only served to protect DS from injuring himself on the sharp corners, but it also protected the table from him chewing on it. While the bumbers had little teeth marks in them, we never saw any pieces missing, they are pretty well constructed (and he did a lot of chewing!).

How old is he, is he teething? Maybe try some other type of teething toy?

Also, maybe talk to his doctor to see if there could possibly be some kind of deficiency in his diet. I know it sounds strange, but it is possible. People get cravings for strange things if there is some kind of nutrient missing from their diet.

Good luck!

 

[belle&beast]

My son chewed on his crib and I tied a blanket around it- of course he got it off and continued to gnaw. Now I use an ace bandage and wrap it tightly and tuck it in, so it stays on and it has worked well. I think he is over the teething, but I left it because I don't want any more damage. He also had really bad ear infections at the time and he was biting people as well as his bed. Good luck!

 

[tracilicious]

I agree. Protect your table with something safe and redirect your baby to a more appropriate teething item. You can buy wood rattles. Everytime your baby starts to gnaw on the table, just move him and give him a teether/wet rag/wooden rattle. This too shall pass if you don't act like it's a big deal.

 

[ninahbear]

Thanks everyone. Yes, my DS is teething. And now he is chewing on a our wall and even took some off. I don't know what has gotten into him. I am sure it sounds weird that he chews on the wall but he does. I think I am just going to call the doctor. Thanks again!