5 Year Old Puts Hands in Her Mouth!?

Well... my kids, with potentially gross stuff like this.... we would research it online and SHOW them, how 'germs' and putting things in their mouth or not washing hands, can make people sick and how it is not sanitary.

So this, literal way of 'explaining' to them, worked for them.
Because it was not just 'us' lecturing them.
And they liked to learn... about things this way. By researching it.
Your daughter is old enough, to show her that way.

http://www.henrythehand.com/
http://www.earthskids.com/basic_handwashing_info.htm

Next: have you ASKED her why she sucks her hands?

My son did this a lot when he was 6...kept putting his fingers in his mouth. We just calmly reminded him to take them out. He was getting in his 6 yr molars (so it is a bit like teething!). Maybe you daughter is getting in her 6 yr molars. Before we went to the dentist and they told us about the molars we tried talking to him about why he was doing this constantly and he kept saying I don't know. Anyway, the molars came in (it took forever) and he totally stopped. (He's 7 now). I would be this is what it is.

My 3.5 yr old started doing this after he got a cold, that then lead to a sinus infection. He was mouth breathing a lot and for whatever reason, his hands found his mouth and it hasn't stop.

But NOW its not only his hands its anything in his hands, and when I remind him to get it out of his mouth he'll find something else, like his shirt or sleeves. It's driving me bonkers. I've even caught him licking the side of his chair--ewwww! I tried ignoring it, I've tried reminding him, it finally came down to me threatening to put tape on his mouth. It's the only thing that works, not that I would do it, but with cold and flu season in the mix, I'm sorry they're old enough to keep their hands out of their mouths.

Since your son's old enough and probably more trust worthy than my son, maybe give him a piece of sugar less gum to keep his mouth busy until his phase passes. I'm hoping once my son gets over his sinus issues his mouth affection will diminish immensely. Good luck

My daughter does this too, and it seems to be just a phase. It started with biting her nails, then her cuticles and then just kind of chewing on her fingertips. Weird, I know. I just keep gently and casually telling her to take her hands out of her mouth. And her fingers are improving. When they were once cracked and bleeding, I now have to actually cut a few of those nails! What also seemed to help is making her put on hand lotion - doesn't taste too good.

6year molars. My 10 year old is doing again, 12 year molars. Dentist confirmed both times. Good luck.

Updated

6year molars. My 10 year old is doing again, 12 year molars. Dentist confirmed both times. Good luck.

Paint her nails with the stuff they sell to make you stop biting your nails. It has a yucky taste and will make her want to take them out of her mouth,

For whatever reason, and it seems like it might be molars, she needs to chew on something right now. So while you're waiting for the molars to come in, help her to meet her needs by substituting something socially and hygenically (is that a word?) appropriate, such as chewy snacks (celery, carrots, licorice, gum, etc.). Best of luck!