My baby is 3 and a half months old and at about 7 weeks he started sucking his fingers and hands. I've heard that he's busy discovering his hands and body and that he would stop eventually. My husband feels that it's not right and he's scared that the baby might start sucking his thumb and that it would become a habit that's hard to stop. Any advice?
2006-11-12 22:19:03 · 19 answers · asked by Charmaine V 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It could just be that he is discovering things as babies of that age do much of their discovering with their mouth. However if he is putting the same fingers in when he is tired or seeking comfort then that is similar to thumb sucking and can cause problems later as it will be a habit difficult to break. Does your child have a dummy? Try giving this to your child when he reaches for his fingers as it is easier to stop a child sucking a dummy later than it is to stop them sucking fingers / thumb - just as long as you get rid of the dummy early enough.
2006-11-12 23:26:50 · answer #1 · answered by clairelou_lane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All babies do this...at 3+ months they are starting to have some control over their hands and arms. Rooting (sucking) is natural for them to do anyway, and it is one of the few ways for them to investigate their environment at this point.
The people above are right about sucking the thumb. There is not a whole lot you can do about that except give him a pacifier or teething ring instead if that starts.
The bottom line is though, thumb sucking is not harmful at this stage. It does not become harmful until toddler or childhood where it could cause an overbite.
Your husband needs to relax...the finger sucking may not necessarily lead to thumb sucking.
If you start seeing the thumb sucking at a later time, then buy him a good pacifier if you're not still breast feeding. If you are breastfeeding, then you might want to run it by your doctor first to avoid any "nipple confusion" that could occur (although by that time I believe that the baby should be well established in how to eat).
2006-11-13 06:40:37 · answer #2 · answered by Barbara 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup its natural. If you have concerns about if the babies hungry rub you finger on his/her cheek. There will be a response. The baby well go for your finger thinking its a nipple. And yes some babies do start teething early. And you'll be able to tell that also by using your finger. No to much sucking than there will be chewing and a little side side of the gums.
2006-11-13 06:35:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some baby's will develop that habit, You might try offering a pacifier (they are now orthodontic pacifiers so they won't interfere with the baby's teeth as they grow-- thumb or finger sucking can cause crooked teeth.) Plus the pacifier can be taken away later. (You will be unable to take away the baby's hand)
Of course, it may just be a short lived phase.
2006-11-13 06:22:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is natural for babies to stick a hand or two in their mouths. It's how they explore. also when they start to teeth they just want to chew things, and if they cant find anything, then the hand and fingers will have to do. My son sucks his thumb to get himself to sleep, but that's it. I would rather that than a dirty dummy.
2006-11-13 07:38:03 · answer #5 · answered by chelle0980 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't get uptight; it's not good for the baby. Babies do suck their fingers and hands, and for a long time the normal response to something new is to put it in the mouth.
And so what if the baby does start sucking his thumb? What difference does that make?
2006-11-13 06:25:04 · answer #6 · answered by langdonrjones 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hi, my son is now 5 1/2 and is still sucking his thumb (when he is tired) although i am still trying to get him not to. when he was a newborn he more or less sucked his thumb straight away, i tried to give him his dummy and he was having none of it.my daughter is 9 months she has a dummy but at times sucks her fingers/ thumb. i am happy for her to do this as it is natural, i would not be worried or stress about it. if your son wants to suck his thumb then let him, it is cleaner, you can wipe a thumb clean you have to serialise dummies not handy when your travelling and you need to wash dummy clean. cheaper for thumb too, no having to look for 'lost' dummy with crying baby, or if you loose one and your out you have to buy one, then serialise new one no good when baby is crying and getting upset. so i give the thumbs up for thumb sucking babies. and enjoy how sweet he looks. worry about important stuff,
2006-11-13 10:06:05 · answer #7 · answered by rachie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If baby is going to be a thumb sucker theres not alot you can do, my youngest started the same way. I'd tried to give him a dummy but he would'nt keep it in his mouth. It got spat out and in went the thumb!
2006-11-13 06:22:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We gave our son a dummy as you can take that habbit away from them when older, but you cant take away there thumb and it can cause problems with there teeth because off the shape. You can buy orthodontic dummys now that are shaped especially for developing teeth!
I never looked back after giving him the dummy!
2006-11-13 06:29:00 · answer #9 · answered by x Danielle x 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aah bless! This is very natural indeed and a lot of babies suck their thumb or fingers as a comforter.
2006-11-13 06:24:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋