Dealing with Annoying Mouth Noises – How to Handle Repetitive Impulsive Sounds
Sometimes, young kids can do something and there is seemingly no reason for it. Impulsive actions and sounds are one of these things. They can be quite an annoyance for kids and parents alike. If your kid has developed an annoying habit that is driving you a little bit nuts, you might have one thing on your mind – how can I make this stop? That is the issue we’re tackling in this guide.
Perhaps the key to dealing with mouth noises isn’t to stop them altogether, but to find a new way to direct those impulses. A reader wrote into this blog about her six-year-old son who seems to constantly be making annoying, repetitive mouth noises.
What are these noises all about? And what can we do about them? This article is meant to help her, and also other parents who may be facing the same issue. We share resources and ideas, including ways you can help transform very annoying noises into something more tolerable.
6 Year Old Constantly Making Annoying Mouth Noises
Hi Alissa,
I seem to recall reading here that one of your sons had issues with “mouth noises”? My 6 year old started with this over the summer and it’s nearly non-stop now. It’s repetitive, really annoying as you can imagine, and (I think) disruptive and disrespectful (though I know he doesn’t mean it to be!) I wonder what to do about it – if anything. Should I just ignore it and hope it goes away?
One of the thoughts I had was not just the ‘annoyance’ around this but obviously what point does it serve. Is it, as they say in the therapy world, “stimming”? Is it a nervous habit, is it helpful/harmful, should a professional be consulted, etc…?
Wondering if you or your readers have any thoughts or similar experiences with a child constantly making noises?
Gratefully, Beth
Ideas to Help Deal With Mouth Noises:
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Thanks for your question Beth! The issue of repetitive noises is quite a bit more common than a parent may think. Although every kid is different, so we can’t guarantee a solution, there are some tried and true methods that are worth a try.
Annoying mouth noises have been happening around my house as well, and being bothered by noise is one of my own anger triggers. In this section, I’ll give you some tips that I’ve found helpful.
You’ll notice that many of these tips and tricks are based around giving the child a productive action to distract themselves from the annoying, repetitive sound. It’s often the case that, in order to effectively solve an issue, we must present a child with an alternative to that issue. This helps them solve the problem in way that is productive.
A few things I’ve found helpful in dealing with repetitive noises:
- It’s no secret to my son that these noises get irritating to us, and he doesn’t want to make them at school so we practice taking a deep breath when he’s wanting to make the noises to try and stop the urge. This is only marginally successful, but a helpful response for anyone to learn when they want to stop a habit, so I figure it won’t hurt at least.
- Kids who make mouth noises may be able to control them if they can take out their impulses with a mouth fidget toy instead – something for chewing and other sensory input.
- Sometimes I start singing to distract myself, or I ask him to sing me a song. These actions will occupy your children in a fun and productive way. And instead of making annoying noises, they can work on their singing. Sometimes, kids may even develop an interest in music, which allows them to make noise in a much more constructive manner.
- Chewing gum can be helpful, but I would suggest a brand like Spry that’s good for teeth with xylitol, if they’re going to be chewing a lot of it. Keeping their mouth active and occupied might be the key to addressing this behavior.
- Active Outdoor Activities: Some kids are bursting with energy, they just want to play! Impulsive behaviors can be a result of an abundance of energy. Children don’t have any place to put this energy, and it comes out in repetitive and annoying tics. Try to encourage your kids to get outside and be active. Provide them with games and activities that they can play outside.
From Readers:
We had some feedback from our community as well. Here are some tips from our readers which may help you deal with this issue:
- I really struggle with this. My only suggestion is a script so that you don’t snap. I use: If you need to make that noise can you please go out side/in the other room/ basically any where but here…lol.
- Help them learn to beatbox…no really I think this is helpful because at least it is less annoying and less monotonous.
NOTE: Not All Kids Are The Same, Some Issues are More Serious than Others
- Of course, I’ve written this article from my own experience. Keep in mind that not every child has the same needs, and not every child’s impulsive behaviour will be driven by the same reason. As such, this article is not meant to be taken as an automatic solution for repetitive behavior in all children. Hopefully, my experience helps you, but please don’t think of this as a “cover-all” All kids are different, and all require individualized attention.
- It might be the case that your child needs professional attention to diagnose the issue, especially if it appears to be more than a simple “tic”, and are causing real stresses and real behavioural issues. Impulsive and challenging behavior can be a sign of a greater issue, such as ADHD, Tourette syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or another anxiety disorder or developmental disorder.
- I am not a doctor, and would not attempt to diagnose any of that here simply based a child’s tics. This is just to say that this is a possibility, and you should seek the opinion of a professional if you are particularly concerned with chronic tics or behavioural issues.
Books on Sensory Processing:
- Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues
- Everyday Games for Sensory Processing Disorder
- The Superkids Activity Guide to Conquering Every Day
Helpful Links for Dealing with Mouth Noises:
- Sensory Processing Explained | Oral Sensory System [from Lemon Lime Adventures]
- Calm Down Kids – Blow Bubbles – One of our favorite oral-motor and calming activities
- Printable Sensory Activities Sheet – includes a variety of activities, some oral.
64 Positive Things to Say to Kids
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Great blog…I really liked reading your blog.
My son is 8 and makes noises constantly when at home. I think it is a coping mechanism for him because he has sensory integration issues. We ask him to stop but he will for only a short time and then he is back at it 2 min. later with a new set of sounds. It becomes louder and harder for him to control when he is tired or bored. At school he is very quiet, does not respond or have much interaction at all. So when he comes home, I want him to feel that he can be himself BUT parental sanity is also important. We have asked him why he makes the noise but I think he has a hard time understanding himself. I try telling him when he is making the noises so at least he becomes aware of it. He gets so mad when we ask him to stop and I explain that it is hard to hear the repeating noises again and again. He has started using the noises as a way to communicate and deal with other children and this I do not know how to approach. I am worried that making these noises is going to create more of a social gap then there already is.
My son made repetitive noises age 5 for a year at movies he couldn’t stop and everyone would tell him to stop he controlled it as best he could it went away after a year 7 he started chewing on neckline shirt especially when stressed at school every day stretched wet chewed uniform top then went away 8 started spitting after adenoids surgery post nasal drip etc however he couldn’t stop spitting into his top at school and at home everywhere running to sinks I showed him his spit was normal no germs or phlegm but he said gross had to get it out 81/2 anxiety excessive worrying spitting and then repetitive noises from age 5 came back 10 he’s now homeschooled as he can’t stop tried therapy several diff meds at first medication stopped sounds and almost stopped spitting however he had bad reaction meds and had suicidal thoughts took him off meds and it’s been two weeks and noises are every few minutes and spitting into neckline shirt constant . Family history OCD so it’s not as easy as just telling him to stop ?
My 11 months daughter is creating annoying sound continuously plz suggest what should I do??
Hi everyone
I’m struggling with my child who has Tourette syndrome and i am finding that there are other disorders that are common with Tourettes.
OCD is very common and it’s nothing to shame your child about.
ADHD is also very common.
If your child makes involuntary noises and has repetitive behaviour issues there is a good chance your are dealing with Tourettes.
There are 2 routes you can take or a combination of both.
cognitive behavioral thearpy where your child learns to identify when a tic in coming on and replace it.
The second is pharmacological and has helped my daughter too especially with ADHD.
I really suggest that you talk to a professional such as a CBT psychologist and psychiatrist to find that happy medium.
Pills don’t teach skills but sometimes pills give you the mental space to develop skills.
Hi Dave, thank you so much for your reply. This may be just the piece of information someone needs in order to ask the right questions and figure out what’s best for their child.
I am 29 years old and I make a weird noise with my mouth that some say sound like a frog or pig in my head it sounds like neither. My parents said I’ve been making this noise since I was an infant, all I know I’ve always made the noise. Growing up it was my family that teased me about it or my parents would yell for me to stop making that annoying noise. As a child it’s very difficult to be different so my best suggestion to you parents that do want to help is first make them aware that they are making the sound. Record it so they can hear what you hear and of course what others will hear. But most importantly accept your child/ren for who they are. Support their uniqueness as not even twins are exactly alike. Today I still make the noise consciously and unconsciously. I’m usually not conscious unless I’ve made the noise repeatedly back to back and it’s loud in my head lol. For me it’s definitely an impulse control problem and maybe if I had more supportive parents I would have out grown it but I haven’t. Take your kids to the doctor they sooner you get help the better. Though that gum suggestion maybe a good idea. However, I haven’t let that stop me I am married with 3 beautiful children and work for a Fortune 500 company I say that to say your kids will be as normal as you allow them to be. The way my parents and family handled it just made me a shy kid. I was very introverted and still am but not shy make fun of my noise and you’ll get put in your place today.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! This: “But most importantly accept your child/ren for who they are.” YES! No matter what, it’s critical as caregivers to be compassionate and non-shaming.
My now 20 years old makes “raspberry” noises unconsciously. The day he was born I noticed it. To this day when he is doing his everyday activities household chores, making a sandwich etc, he makes the noise. I’ve never tried to stop it, I figured it’s just a part of him that won’t go away. Sometimes I’ll even join in and he’ll say “I was doing that?” Because he doesn’t know when he’s doing it.
My 9 year old has been doing this thing with his mouth since he was a toddler. We called it clicking. It seemed he did it to self soothe. But now he walks around with his mouth open all the time and it drives me crazy. I asked him if he can breathe and he says yes but he says he needs to click so that’s why his mouth is open. I’m not even sure how to describe it. He’s at that age where kids can be mean and I don’t want him to be made fun of. I told him we are going to see a doctor about this because nothing I say or do helps. I have horrible anxiety and seeing him and hearing him do this drives me insane. I feel bad about it. I really do but im more worried about him being picked on.
I’m feeling so worried about my 6 year old. For months now she has made a mmmm sound more so when concentrating. Now she has started with sniffing and closing her eyes. She is very aware and kids at school have started to make fun. She says she can’t help it and gets very upset. We have tried ignoring we have tried going to the doctors (not very helpful) and even tried a sugar free diet just because I’d seen that on a forum (also no help) I’m trying to let it pass but I’m finding it so difficult! I pray she out grows this! Any tips would be great!
My 11 year old step son constantly makes a sound like he’s getting punched in the stomach and it drives me CRAZY! Has anyone else heard their child do this?
My 12 year old son is autistic. I’m trying to. Hold down a part time job and care for my aunt with major medical issues too. My son makes clicking noises, sniffing sounds and barks. He and I take Aikido together for confidence and discipline. It has helped with breathing exercises but once he gets off the mat. He’s back to the noises.
My son, he is 6 years old.He makes like screaming sounds when he is emotional.Like when watching tv or in playground with friends.So i told him every time when he wants to make any sound just breath in and blow out air like baloon. lets see how its gonna be
Has anyone just simply and firmly told their child to stop it ? My grandchild was making a “horking” sound. It was sound only no spitting. I demanded that it stop and it did. Hours later the child needed a reminder to stop – firmly – and again it stopped. In my opinion this was nothing more than a well seated habit. Parents were told. The child went home and immediately got away with it again. They are waiting for a medical appointment about it… ? Seems to me proper discipline with this child as well as the siblings would solve this as well as many other problems! Modern culture seems to want to nurture these problems rather than simply deal with them as behavioural. Kids are kids. If they are not disciplined and made know what is acceptable and where it is acceptable they will continue many strange things.
This is BS and a completely unfair assessment and judgement on your part. Simply telling them to stop is not a solution for many of us who’s children are struggling. My son obsessively makes noises and doesn’t even realize he’s doing it, he’s an otherwise very well behaved child and listens when we ask him to do something/not do something. But when it comes to noises, he just can’t stop sometimes. How about instead of judging with virtually no helpful suggestions, you take a step back and realize there are people out there doing everything they can to raise their children, but even they have things they struggle with.
So thanks for the overrated “parents these days…” criticism, your generation obviously did a great job in the kid rearing department ?
I agree!
You feel this way bc you are uneducated on the issue.
I believe that there is some value in ‘Grandma’s’ words to (some) parents out there. My brother made non-stop noises until my mom couldn’t take it anymore. She told him firmly to stop. She actually forbade him to do it and he stopped over a period of about a week. She expected him to learn how to make himself stop, to have control over his actions. This happened several times but he eventually completely stopped. He was a high energy kid who would be labeled ADHD today without a doubt. His other, more subtle nervous habits were drilled out of him in the army. He became a ‘normal’, high producing man that understands how to manage and most importantly to self-control his habits/tendencies.
Same with one of my own kids and a grandchild who only does this around their parents, not around any grandparents!
For many kids that I personally know and have known over the years; time spent, redirection and acceptance were ways that they learned to control their impulses as part of normal growing up. I understand that for others, there may be serious problems that need to be addressed by professionals, but it’s wise to heed ‘Grandma’s’ advice and at least mull it over, see if maybe your child needs a consistently firmer hand, and higher expectations of their ability to self-regulate. For many it’s just a part of learning and growing up.
‘Grandma’ asked you to consider it and she showed how it worked for her grandchild. Quick, and fairly easy to try example. There is a tendency today to label every little thing. Her idea may just save some child from being labeled and feeling their is something wrong with them.
You don’t have to agree with her nor do you need to bully her with put-downs.
I agrre
Seriously…have we firmly asked our kids to stop? Lol gee why didn’t I think of that! ?
Oh grandma it’s not that easy to tell a child on a spectrum to stop. Do you have anyone in your circle that’s on the spectrum? Doesn’t resolve what a child is going through. I think you need to revisit your post and make some edits because you’re irritating right now
I’m 71 and I’m told by my son ( when I’m staying with them) that I make humming noises which he interprets as me being displeased or disapproving about something.
I’m totally unaware that I do this… but after having been told and talking about it with my husband I realise that yes, I do hum. It doesn’t actually mean anything…
I don’t know if this is helpful but I would maybe give him an outlet. Make it a game where for 5 minutes a day let him do all the funny noises he can think of. At the end of the five minutes the game is over and time to be polite. Lol This seems to be working with my 3 1/2 year old with wanting to talk about potty wordsU0001f61cU0001f648 it drives me crazy so I totally understand but this really seems to be helping and then it doesn’t seem so taboo from me so it loses its fun! Ha
I used to make noises when I was very young but became aware of it and tried to control myself. It eventually stopped. It’s not a mouth noise but I had a bad habit with one of my eyes, a sort of long twitch. I was made aware of it and it made me more conscious and eventually stopped doing it. So possibly they may stop by themselves or give them a nudge in the right direction? In all honesty I was mortified when I was confronted about it but looking back now it was the best thing they did!!!! 🙂
My daughter (6 1/2) has ASD and makes Yum mmm mmmm type noises while eating, if she is really enjoying something. It does not and never has bothered me (seeing food and lip smacking bugs me), but it does other people including the girl we share with. It is totally unconscious on her part, but it is hard when other people get cross with her about it.
My 4 1/2 year old goes through stages of this. She’s currently making gulping/swallowing noises almost constantly. She’s unaware that she’s doing it but it is really annoying. Sometimes it’s when she is drawing or concentrating, other times it’s just while she goes about her business. She also used to hum a lot when she was younger. She’s starting school next month and I’d love some pointers to help her break the habit.
My daughter (age 7) has been doing a sniffing followed by a sucking and gulping sound for about a year now. It started when she had a cold and was obviously full of phlegm. She doesn’t seem to be aware that she is doing it, she does it at home and in school every five minutes when she is doing anything quiet such as colouring, school work, watching TV etc. If she is chatting or playing with her friends then she makes the sound much less. It has become so annoying to hear. I’m going to try filming her and showing her the footage so that she can see for herself how frequently she does it. I will then try insisting that she blows her nose more often to counteract the sniffing and gulping. Interestingly, she bites and sucks her lips too, which makes her lips sore so I am also trying to discourage that habit. I’m having more success with that one as she hates the cream that I then put on her lips as a consequence/remedy.
Jennifer, that’s what we do too! Outside is also am acceptable place for noise.
I didn’t read the article but this is what we have done with ‘wacky noises’. Our son (7) can make them as much as he wants in his bedroom. They are not appropriate for the family living areas. When he makes them anywhere else, I remind him that he can go in his room and make them all he wants. Sometimes he goes and does it longer, sometimes he stops.
My son has mildTourette’s and sometimes it’s noises and sometimes it’s blinking or fixing his hair. But there’s no cure and usually kids grow out of it (worst in teen years). I’m not saying your child has Tourette’s, but rather focusing on your tolerance/dealing with it along with changing his behavior. It bothers YOU. How can YOU deal with it?
You might want to look into misophonia.
I can’t abide by audible mouth noises. Gum chewing, lip smacking, I have to leave the room when a kid eats a banana! Hubbie teases me about having have an overactive parietal lobe, but he is kind of right – it’s my issue more than the kids’. I remind them once to chew with their mouth closed and then I repress my intense agitation.
Omg ME TOO?
I discovered this year that I am an HSP – Highly Sensitively person. Not like your garden variety sensitive person but someone who is literally deeply affected by a lot of stimuli. This is one of the manifestations. But I want to murder people when I can hear them chewing.
This is sooooo annoying. I feel everyone is guilty of ‘labelling’ children too early! His 6YO . Has he seen/heard someone at school do this and think it funny? Does he think it’s great that he is annoying mum? ( just like most kids!) ….. I would simply explain that u don’t like it and it makes you sad to hear him make those noises, as you feel those noises are ****** (choose your word). If he chooses not to listen then ask him to go and play in his room for a while because you need some quiet time. Practice this for a month. If you’re consistent, the noises should stop! If they continue THEN seek advice for sensory issues…. Good luck! X
Don’t you think that is parents who have been desperate enough to post here have already tried those normal, direct ways of stopping the behavior. You don’t know what it’s like to have your child not be able to even have any clue how to stop something bc they barely notice theyre doing it!
Exactly! I’ve tried that and 2 min later here he is again making the same noise. Than we go back and forth ALL day long. “Sweetie can you stop making noises? Can you go to your room and make them there?” Ect…. 2 min later… here we go again. Sometimes I just get tired of saying anything because I feel like all I’m doing is adding to the noise while I’m asking him to stop.
(tourettes)? My son had an almost OCD thing with his hands…an exercise a movement specialist had taught him, but he never stopped…so I paid a lot of money to go to a shrink for an analysis. He met my son and said “can you stop doing that?” and my son stopped and put his hands in his lap. Seriously! ( I felt like an idiot) )( Ask your child why they do it and if they can lessen the amount. (Maybe it is self soothing?)
I have pointed it out to my daughter so that she is aware of what she is doing and I have asked her to stop but she doesn’t. Sometimes I don’t think she knows she is doing it. It’s as natural as breathing. It’s almost like a low subtle hum or light she is taking a light breathe out. It’s something I can live with but I’m worried that if I let it continue it will get worse or she will start adding more tics. Which she has. This gross spit swishing one that I really don’t like. And she is a nail biter. She just has the impulse to bite her nails non stop. When I asked her to stop today, her response was, I can’t. My poor baby.
My son says “I can’t” often when I ask him about his repetitive behaviors (noises, picking fingers, biting nails.) Yes, it is heartbreaking but I try to talk him through it since he is very smart and help him understand how to develop impulse control and to control his actions.
I think it’s important not to give up and to help them learn how to overcome the unique things they have to deal with.
Keep at it.
Thank you Stan, I really like this: “I think it’s important not to give up and to help them learn how to overcome the unique things they have to deal with.” It’s a good reminder that the solutions may be as unique as the child as well. Developing impulse control definitely isn’t an instant fix, it can be improved over time. One book I really like that talks about this is here: https://bouncebackparenting.com/recommended-resource-smart-but-scattered/
Thank you. I found this comment helpful. I will try to steer her in the impulse control direction rather than just telling her to stop.
Hello, I know how you feel, my son is Aspergers, he does noises with his mouth. He is a 6th grader, one of his teachers is not too tolerant. She ask him everyday to stop, he says he can’t. She does not let him have a snack or gum.
Yesterday when she ask him to stop He told her “shut up”, he was angry, of course he got in trouble …
Of course after that he apologize. And I had to send a message to the teacher, principal, asking for help.
What else we can do?
I was in the problem with my son I found a some videos in YouTube of people who has infection and look bad bad really awful and I show to him and explain to him that going to happen to him if he keeps doing that and he stop the day
Hi Zita,
I would have it in your son’s IEP/504 Plan that he is allowed to chew gum in school for these very reasons. The teacher needs to be forced into being more tolerant.
We give our daughter a chew and a whistle or kazoo type to blow.for our child its a sensory need she cant stop. Blowing bubbles, drinking thick shakes through straws relieves the need and reduces the instances.
Whay of they make annoying noise with a straw. If the have a cup with ice they will stop sipping like air to make noises.
Bizarre….whistling & clicking#!!