My 6 month old daughter started sucking on her bottom lip within the past week. She has never taken a pacifier and won't even if I try. My husbands family has a history of this and it has been known to cause bad teeth and gums. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to get her to stop, since she is too young to understand.
2006-11-30 08:48:04 · 6 answers · asked by brocsangel 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I wouldn't worry until she is 2 or more years old.
She is probably just doing it because her gums hurt, but will stop once her teeth are in and hurt her lips.
2006-11-30 09:02:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She will probably be getting teeth soon. My daughter started doing that around 6mos. She's now 8mos. then I noticed she had a tooth breaking through the gum. Pediatricians suggest breaking the habit of fingers by age 5. Lips isn't a big deal. If her lip does get chapped, put carmex on it. It won't hurt the baby.
I have crooked teeth because I sucked my fingers until I was 8. I will not let my daughter do this. I plan on "taking away" the fingers by the time she is 3.
And, to make sure her teeth are healthy, buy some infant tooth cleanser. Oral-B makes some. And an infant brush. Use in on the teeth, the gums, the tongue, and the inside of the cheeks.
EDITED: James B. Babies aren't supposed to have honey until they are 1. It can cause botulism--rare form of food poisoning. It also isn't good for the teeth!!!
2006-11-30 16:59:11 · answer #2 · answered by Laura R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a friend to do this when he was a baby, it does cause a ring or turn the lip a dark color. I don't know what you can do about it since your baby is so young. Keep trying to put the pacifier in her mouth, put a little honey on the pacifier and she may like the taste of it and start sucking the pacifier. Give her a teething ring, something else to chew on.
2006-11-30 16:59:59 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could cause bad teeth and gums, and also it could cause her lip/chin to chap. Just put something gross tasting on her lip (lemon juice, vinegar) and when she tastes it she'll stop sucking.
2006-11-30 16:50:44 · answer #4 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's her way to self soothe. I'd say let her do it, until she's old enough to understand that she shouldn't. My niece does this when she's tired, so we know when it's time for sleepy time.
2006-11-30 18:56:59 · answer #5 · answered by Liandrew00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i just tell her a ******* monster will come if she still does it *****
2006-11-30 16:50:39 · answer #6 · answered by Gilbert M 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋