So I am finally winning in the battle to get my 6mo old to eat solids, yippee! Among everything I've tried, I finally given up and let her do what she wants with her hands. What she wants to do is to suck her thumb while eating- actually after every bite. This has seemed to be the key-she is eating better than she ever has, and wanting more-the fight seems to be over! My theory is that sucking her thumb helps her swallow. It makes sense to me, just wondering if anyone else agrees or has had this experience?
Just curious...
Dear H.,
I think for one thing that babies associate sucking something with getting their tummies full. If it helps, let her do it.
Hi,
My son did that too when we started solids...well purees! I assumed it was becasue he only knew how to suck and this facilitated him on swallowing. He outgrew it with the more he practiced. Assume she'll outgrow it once it's mastered. Enjoy her!
S.
Hi,
I have a 2 year old daughter who is a thumbsucker - although when I was getting her to eat, it was not her thumb she sucked, but her bottle. The sucking really did help her swallow. I put her bottle in her mouth after every bite and it helped a lot!
Yup, both my kids did this. I agree that it helps them swallow until they figure out how to do it without their thumb (it doesn't seem to take very long).
Yes, my daughter did this at the same age. She slowly stopped needing her thumb to help her swallow (I think within a couple of months).
My baby just turned 5 months old yesterday. She does it too. It's messy, but it does seem to help her swallow. My two boys didn't do it, so it was odd to me. Glad to see it is not too uncommon.
My eight month old does the same thing except it is with her fingers, not her thumb. It is brief, in between bites and I agree, helps her swallow. I'll worry about if it is okay when she gets older and is having trouble swallowing. I think it is totally normal and I agree with you.
