My 2 yr old boy dosen't like a pacifier, instead he keeps putting two,three fingers into his mouth. Is this a phase he is going through? Should I put a stop to it, and if yes, any suggestions?
2007-12-07 16:01:33 · 12 answers · asked by daddycool 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Some put one finger or thumb others put two or three. You might want to look in the back of his throat with a flashlight...he might have some underlying discomfort like infection or "hypertrophic tonsils".
Otherwise, I would handle the matter as "current pediatric practice" dictates. You can go to a medical library and ask for a literature search that addresses: thumbsucking in toddlers. I stress "current practice"...the views change on this all the time. Some rationale has not stood up over time. You will get a wide range of answers. Personally, I am not into any harsh methods of discouraging it.
That is my BEST ANSWER!
2007-12-07 16:13:17 · answer #1 · answered by Steve 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 2 year old really shouldn't be on a pacifier any more, anyway. Sucking on his fingers CAN cause serious problems in the future(i.e. having to get braces). I sucked my thumb until I was 5 and had to get them. Now, I am not saying this is automatically going to be the case with your son. The key with children is consistency. If you see him with his fingers in his mouth, tell him no. He is getting to an age where he will be able to understand that.
2007-12-07 16:05:47 · answer #2 · answered by N and A's Momma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How long has it been going on? If this has just started, did something in his routine change? Does he do it at certain times, like when he's stressed or tired? If he just started it, I would look at what has changed. If it's been going on for a while, it may be a phase. Infants are very oral and so are some toddlers. I would use positive reinforcement with him, when you see him walking around playing or doing something else and he doesn't have his fingers in his mouth, make a big deal about it. Children LOVE to be reinforced about what makes you happy. They love to please people... especially Mom and Dad. Good Luck!
2007-12-07 16:16:08 · answer #3 · answered by sweet_jessica82 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was a preschool teacher forever! It's common but not encouraged. It can cause your teeth to end up crooked and at that age they need to start learning what goes in the mouth and waht doesnt. AKA--food goes in but not fingers or toys. This is because when they get older it may not be just their fingers going in the mouth it might be somebody else's and that can lead to biting! And toys cause the risk of swallowing. So dont encourage it, but it is common. Next time just gently take them out of his mouth and tell him it's "icky". You have to conform to what your 2 year old understands.
2007-12-07 16:10:32 · answer #4 · answered by Kris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
EW!!! I would be pissed! I would tell the kids mom that you don't want her kid putting their fingers in my sons mouth. AND THEN, if I saw it happening, I would just grab your kid and tell the ten yr old politely that you asked her not to do that, and you aren't going to let her play with your son unless she stops. I'm really protective of my son too. I always keep him in my lap when people are visiting or if I'm at somebody's house, to avoid people touching him.
2016-04-08 01:02:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please put a stop to it. Not only will he mess up his teeth, but 2 yr olds touch everything and he's getting all of that nastiness in his mouth and he can get really sick. The suggestions that I have heard I don't really like but if your willing that's your decision. Like put hotsauce on his fingers (seems cruel to me), pop his hand and tell him his mistake (not very hard). hopefully this helps
2007-12-07 16:08:50 · answer #6 · answered by imthatgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its probably is just a phase he'll soon get out of but consistency is the best policy every time he does it take them away and try and distract him some other way. my son who is almost 2 did this when he was bout 1 and a half but soon got over it and than he started doing it just when having a tantrum but now he doesn't do it. when he did do it i used to distract him by tickling him or saying it was yucky. good luck
2007-12-07 16:07:52 · answer #7 · answered by Amy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably just a phase. It could be worse like sucking his thumb or biting his nails. If it gets bad, they make stuff that is taste gross that you put on hands/nails that will make them not want to put hands in their mouth. But, it doesn't sound too harmful that he does that...
2007-12-07 16:05:38 · answer #8 · answered by SophiaIsDueAugust26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did this up till i was 10. It's like sucking a thumb. The only think wrong about it is that it makes your teeth really croked.
good luck =]]
2007-12-07 16:04:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yh he is going through a phase..n u should try stoppin it soon as possible before he does it even more.
2007-12-07 16:05:53 · answer #10 · answered by chillixon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋