Many parents are moved when they see their newborn baby sucking a finger in their sleep. However, later, when the baby is two years old, and he still can not give up this habit, admiration is replaced by anxiety. Let's figure out how to wean a child from sucking a finger.
Newborn habit
While still in the womb, the baby sucks his finger, and, being born, he simply continues the “good” lesson, because it calms him, reduces the feeling of loneliness that is too often, helps to overcome physical pain, for example, with colic in the stomach, and also compensates for the lack of affection and attention.
The sucking reflex is paramount in infancy. If the mother stopped breastfeeding early, the question of how to wean the baby to suck a finger is solved very simply - often enough to feed him naturally, reducing a single serving of food.
Causes of bad habits
When the child turns one year old, he should gradually begin to wean from his favorite occupation. However, if the baby is already older, but still does not stop sucking a finger, then here is a list of possible reasons:
1. Too sharp or early weaning.
2. The child wants to sleep or is focused on something.
3. The baby has a habit, it is difficult for him to abandon it.
4. Mom has little attention to the child.
5. He is excited, alarmed, or lacking in affection.
6. The kid was very frightened of something and is trying to suppress children's tantrum.
The consequences of sucking a finger
From time to time, finger sucking is observed along with pulling out hair, eyelashes, with stroking on the head, stomach. Your baby can pull other objects into its mouth, for example, a corner of a blanket, a paw of a soft toy or a pillow.
Doctors believe that sucking a finger by a child older than a year can lead to deformation of the lower jaw, curvature of the teeth, and malocclusion. So the question of how to wean a child to suck a finger should be the main thing for you.
Learning Methods
There are several of them. So how to wean a baby from sucking a finger? No need to scare, punish, talk about how bad it is, to shame in every way. So you only further consolidate the bad habit in the child. Try to wean your finger sucker in more gentle ways. First, pay due attention to the child. How exactly? Play with him, fool around together, hug him and sing lullabies for the baby. Secondly, try not to sort things out with someone and quarrel with him. The poor psychological atmosphere in the house is the main cause of stress in children. Thirdly, increase the period of breastfeeding, because it helps the baby feel more confident. Fourth, follow the mood of the crumbs. In time, notice the fright and anxiety, calm the baby. Fifth, do not constantly talk about a bad habit, just distract the attention of your offspring. Sixth, check what the child is watching: horror, action and thrillers - all this must be excluded. Seventh, expand the baby's range of interests: go with him to the zoo, circus or movie. And, eighth, if the baby sleeps with a finger in his mouth, quietly remove it.
In order for you to quickly manage to wean a child from sucking your finger, we recommend that you follow all these tips in combination.