At different ages, children can suck their fingers. This often becomes a problem and worries parents who fear unpleasant consequences in the future. So how dangerous is the fact that the child sucks his fingers, and what to do about it?
Baby
It turns out that the reasons for which this habit arises are different for children of different ages. So, the tiny baby is simply trying to satisfy one of the basic life instincts - the sucking. Thanks to him, babies from the very moment of birth know that the most important thing for them is to fill their tummy with milk. The intensity of sucking, which is necessary for every child, is very individual. One is enough for 15-20 minutes, and the desire to suck something does not arise. And the other child sucks a breast for half an hour, and when they take it away, he also tries to smack his fist. All these children are absolutely normal, and their reflex, according to experts, is predetermined by heredity. Until three to four months of age, the baby will suck especially intensively, and then the reflex will begin to fade. Some refuse to suck already in half a year, but usually this happens at about a year old. If a baby who is breast-feeding is trying to suck a finger, her mother should try to hold it by her chest longer. And if the baby is artificial, it’s worth trying to make a smaller hole in the nipple of his bottle so that the mixture comes in more slowly and he has to work longer.
Older kids
It happens that at an older age the child sucks fingers. After a year, this is usually due to the fact that he is facing some kind of problem, and he is trying to solve it. For example, a baby cannot calm down to fall asleep, or he lacks new impressions and freedom of action, because he is often in a stroller. It should be understood that, in temperament, all children are different, and that which pleases one may become an upset for the other. So, for a shy crumb, excessive game intensity and an abundance of comrades will also be a factor of uncertainty. This should be taken into account in the process of raising children. Having looked at their treasure, parents can usually determine what exactly is bothering him. Finally, the kids suck their fingers, who lack parental attention and care, in general, love. Therefore, if a child sucks fingers, you need to try to make changes in his life that will make her more comfortable just for him.
What should not be done
At any age, you should not use methods that physically limit the baby. For example, to bind hands or to smear a finger with mustard. This will only make him nervous and insecure, and will not remove the cause of sucking. Similarly, you do not need to scold the two-year-old and threaten him with punishment. An attempt to bribe such a child will not help either, he has not yet fully realized his actions. But for children of five years and older, bribery is appropriate.
What will help
So, if a child sucks his fingers in infancy, everything must be done to satisfy his sucking reflex. It happens that a pacifier-dummy helps in this. And older children in this way try to cheer themselves up, solve some problem. Experts believe that parents should not worry when the baby sucks his fingers before eating - he is simply hungry. In any case, sucking becomes less common by the age of three, and by six it basically disappears completely. Fingering is a bad habit. Although its harmful effect on the growth of permanent teeth is exaggerated, because they appear after six years.