How to stop baby sucking/eating her fingers/fist

[taysty]

My baby is nearly 4 months but recently she loves to put her fingers/fist inside her mouth alot no matter she is full or bored or wants to sleep. I wanted to quit her out of this habit by giving her soother but am not successful.

 

[Frenchy]

Why would you prevent your baby from doing this ? there is nothing more natural for a baby to put her finger/hand/fist and toes in her mouth, as well as anything else she'll find on her way. That's they way to discover their world.

 

[lesliefu]

unfortunately this is the stage that they are in - they are exploring - I'd only start worrying if habit were to last till 1year old...for now, keep her hands clean so no germs go in...

 

[taysty]

I've know some kids that still have this habit till 3/4 years old. Hence....

 

[Gataloca]

My 6 month old has the same problem. It weren't so bad if he would not leave drool everywhere. And also as the weather is cold, his little hands are now wet and cold all the time.
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[taysty]

I now put on bib on her which she hates it. I felt sorry for putting on a bib as i personally thought bib is for feeding not for her saliva only. Maybe, i should just give her more chewy books or etc to let her explore rather than her little fingers/hand.

 

[nicolejoy]

EVERY baby goes through that stage. Just because they go through that stage doesn't mean they will still be doing it when they are 3 or 4 (if that were true, EVERY 3-4 year old would be doing it). Apparently, the mouth has an even "stronger" sense of touch than the fingers, so that truly is the most effective way for them to explore the world. In addition, around 4-6 months, they often start teething and so chewing on things can relieve the discomfort.

I personally think that I'd start correcting it if a) they were hurting themselves by it, or b) if they were well and truly old enough NOT to be doing it. At four months, it really is age appropriate though - and letting her wear a bib all the time to collect the saliva is probably a better response than trying to MAKE her stop... and it's easier on you too!! Chances are, she'll grow out of it soon enough

 

[taysty]

Thank you all for your advices. Now i've reassurance from non first time mum that my baby can quit when the times come.:flower:

 

[jvn]

I wouldn't, it's part of their development. A small minority of babies/children are very 'mouthy' and they put things in their mouths and need to suck way past when most children give it up, that's when you get those nightmare stories of people not giving up the thumb or pacifier for years. My son is one of those babies and he sucks his thumb all the time but I know if it wasn't his thumb it would be a pacifier or blanket or whatever, it's just part of who he is and he'll grow out of it eventually.

For the vast majority of kids they go through this stage then stop on their own.

 

[Shenzhennifer]

My boy is 2 and still sucking his thumb. I get comments nearly every day from the locals, always have. I don't mind so much, but apparently it's a real no-no here. I don't see too many Chinese kids sucking their thumbs.