How Do I Keep My Infant from Sucking Her Fingers?

I do not know how to prevent the thumb or finger sucking, but a pacifier does not do any better for their teeth. She is just comforting herself, sounds like with the fingers in her mouth. If she doesnt want a pacifier, dont force that either.

What's wrong with her sucking her fingers? She is self-soothing which is great! It will not mess up her teeth at this young of an age _it's something that needs to be stopped around 3-5 yeras of age...not 11 weeks!!!
My son did it. He never sucked him thumb, would never take a paci, but sometimes he would get his entire hand into his mouth when he was younger. He's 2 1/2 and doesn't suck his fingers or his thumb.
So don't worry about it! Its actually a good thing and will help her sleep better on her own.

At 11 weeks, her mouth is one of the ways she explores her world too. It's very common for the age. She's found her hands! Finger/thumb sucking becomes a concern when they have teeth and it's done often. At this age there is really no way to stop her without making yourself crazy! And not all little ones like the feel of a pacifier. My son only used one from about 4-6 months of age and that was it!

From personal experience, my two children sucked their thumbs until about age 6-7. I have some girlfriends who themselves sucked two other fingers (like your little one) and they never had problems with their teeth (orthodontics), if that is a concern. I'd just let it go; make no fuss about it. Especially, since she has been doing it in utero. By the way, I tried pacifiers on both my children and they just never went for any of them!! Enjoy the little one!

There are kids that just like to suck thier fingers rather than a pacifier. I don't blame them personally, I wouldn't want a plastic thing stuck in my mouth all the time. Just because you know some people that still do it doesn't mean that your daughter will be one of them. For the first year at least though the need to suck is so strong that babies will just do it. After that you can start doing prevention methods. Who knows, by the time she is two she may have moved on to other things. I am also pretty sure that it only affects the mouth structure if it continues past age 4 or 5. By then though you can reason with her to get her to stop.

Let her comfort herself. Many people I know who didn't suck their thumbs/fingers needed orthodontics anyway; I know others who did suck their fingers and didn't need orthodontics.

My daughter is 5 months and will only take a pacifier--it's a pain--it falls out of the crib, falls on the floor while we're out--I wish she sucked her fingers!

I've never known someone who sucked their thumb into their teenage years--at least not in public. Finger sucking is not the end of the world.

I have a friend here that has a 2 year old girl. When she was a baby she was a thumb sucker. She tried the same things you said about giving her the paci and constantly pulling the thumb out of her mouth. She even went as far as duct taping a sock on her hand every day. Not even kidding a little bit. Almost all her baby pictures show her with a sock duct taped to her hand. She has tried the bad tasting fingernail polish to try and deter her. Even now, at 2 1/2, she will still put her thumb in her mouth when she gets a chance. It isn't nearly as often as it was, but she still does it.
My point is that no matter what you try... the examples above are very much NOT recommended by me... she's going to find a way around it anyway. All you do is stress yourself out in the process and end up looking like a crazy person.
Let her suck. She's a baby. That's what babies do. There is no evidence to prove that sucking a thumb, finger or pacifier leads to dental problems later on. Some people just have the facial structure that will need to be corrected regardless of their infant habits. You'll have more dental problems from letting a baby go to sleep with a bottle in their mouth than any finger sucking.

Its comforting for her, why would you want her to not be comforted? I have a thumb sucker and as she gets older and plays, talks eats....etc., she forgets about her thumb. With the teeth on both sides of our family, she will need braces anyway:)

Babies suck to soothe themselves. It is wonderful that she has figured out SO QUICKLY what to do in that department!! I would encourage you to be a little more patient with this. Babies up to 18 months (or some 2+ year olds) need some ways to self soothe. When she is older and understands more, maybe you can try to redirect her. Talk to your pediatrician and see what they advise. My pediatrician told me all was well until about 18 months (and at that point, it became quite easy for my son to break the habit- it's like he was ready!).

Good luck!!

--P. M.

I was one of those who was born with my finger in my mouth - literally. I was delivered via C-section, and didn't cry when I came out becasue I already had my finger in my mouth! I continued to suck for years, but I have never had braces and have perfect teeth. Now I have two boys (1 and 3) neither of whom are thumb suckers and neither would ever take a pacifier, which I found very frustrating when they were infants becasue they were unable to "self-soothe." I say, let her soothe herself for now. If it is still an issue when she is older, then cross that bridge when you come to it, rather than trying to correct her for something that is completely natural at this age.

Hi L.,

My 27 month old daugther has always been a thumbsucker and yes, sucked her thumb in utero also! I've spoken to doc and read a lot that says that thumbsucking as an infant and toddler will not automatically mess up teeth or mouth development. My daugther never wanted a pacifier either, didn't matter what kind. I will say this, I have no problem with it now (check with me in two years if she's still doing it!) and it's been a godsend in terms of her ability to soothe herself to sleep and back to sleep on her own. My niece never had a pacifier and never sucked her thumb either... so kids are just different and it's okay. At 11 weeks, it's way too early to worry. And although there are the rare adults and teens who still use the habit as a crutch, they are truly rare and most children wean themselves perfectly well at an appropriate age for them. I wouldn't worry or if you really do, just read more about it so you have all the facts.

Good luck,
K.

First off, I think it's wonderful that your daughter has found a way to soothe herself, a paci always needs someone to insert it, at least for the first few months, here your daughter has an instant source for soothing. I would make sure that you are feeding her on time to limit her need to suck her fingers, if you are holding back on her feedings, her desire to suck greatens, so maybe more frequent feeding might help with this.
Also most kids who use their fingers to soothe will only do so when needed, where as kids with paci's always seem to want the paci... you rarely ever see a thumb sucker running around the playground, but you will see a paci in a kids mouth.
Not all kids who suck fingers or thumbs end up with dental problems, or do so into adulthood, the average time length of thumb suckers is about 2 years, where as average for paci users is over 3 yrs.
I also would not put a sock on her hand at all, it could be a choking hazzard. Babies have choked to death from the little hand cuffs too, and yet they still sell them.

Hi L.,

I know what you mean about some babies being "born" to suck their fingers. My youngest son was actually born with his hand in his mouth!! Geez... sucking his fingers through the birth canal, who's ever heard of that? Anyway, I agree with the other posters... what's the problem?

Are you worried about her teeth? Chances are she'll stop sucking her fingers before her permanent teeth come in around the age of 4, which is when you need to worry about this causing damage to her mouth. See this related question/answer:
http://www.drgreene.com/21_856.html
You will notice that the doctor says that this type of behavior (trying to prevent a baby from sucking its fingers) actually CAUSES late thumb-sucking!!!!

Besides, I can tell you from experience that it is NOT any easier to break a pacifier habit. I guarantee you that for every child that sucks his/her thumb at an older-than-appropriate age, there is at least one who has a pacifier. Also, my older son is at the point where he only gets his pacifier during naps and at nightime, but he is now starting to cry for his pacifier in the middle of the night (several times some nights). I can't help but think that if he were a "self-soother" like my youngest that this wouldn't be an issue.

So, I say go with it and don't make it an issue, or you will drive yourself insane. How can you keep a 3 month old away from her own fingers??? You can, however, easily teach an older child that she needs to stop sucking her fingers. If this ends up being a problem, I'm sure you will have plenty advice from other parents, but DEFINITELY worry about that when (and if) it actually happens.

She has a need to suck,let her

L.,
You don't keep an 11 week old from sucking her fingers. Just because she sucks her fingers now doesn't mean she's going to do it when she's an adult. Pacifiers can ruin teeth, too. My pacifier-sucking 16 yo is in the middle of major orthodontics right now. My middle-finger-sucking 11 yo has beautiful straight teeth. Both were breast-fed. Both kept their habits until they were 2 1/2. My daughter sucked nothing. She's 9 and her teeth are wacky right now - only time will tell. And, oh, my god, please do not put sock or mittens on your baby's hands - they love to suck! And don't think it will be easier to "break" her from sucking a pacifier.

L.
I really would not worry about your baby sucking her fingers. It's a natural thing for a baby to suck, that's how they learn how to nurse when born. It's pacifying and calmin. As far as teenagers and adults still sucking their thumb, that's hard to believe and they may have other issues and they're parents didn't stop that habit when they were at age 4 or 5 or whenever. That's just my opinion. But don't worry so much.
T.

Hello,

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. How easy that it for you even in the middle of the night she can put herself back to sleep. It's not like she'll be going off to college sucking her fingers and the dentist will tell you that by the time she gets permanent teeth there really no concern and by that time she'll be a lot older and sucking her fingers won't be cool anymore.

I'm a parent of four kids and I'm not sure really which is the lesser of two evils-sucking a thumb or a pacifier. However, I do know that with of my kids whatever they chose for comfort they grew out of it and they all have beautiful teeth and without braces.

Hi, I don't usually respond to these questions but this one hit home for me. My son, now 37 yrs. old sucked his thumb for the 1st 7 or 8 yrs. of his life and let me tell you, it did not mess up his teeth. He has beautiful teeth and gets many compliments on his smile. Try not to worry as I'm sure she will outgrow this and be just fine. Relax and God Bless! W.

Please let her suck her fingers.

That is a misconception you have -- an "old wives tale" that those who suck their fingers or thumbs need braces or their mouths form a certain way. It is just a coincidence the people you know of & their mouths are shaped a certain way.

Their mouths are that way because of GENETICS -- way before they sucked anything! And yes, if a child is sucking his thumb at 6 or 8 years old -- then yes, maybe it will increase the need for braces, but -- really -- those cases are far & few between. Most kids need braces; and most kids need braces because of GENETICS.

The way we mess up our children is that we prevent them from doing what is so natural; your baby is self-soothing & you should be happy about that & RELAX!

I sucked my thumb until I was 4? 5? & twirled my hair. Once school started I stopped. I found out through peer pressure that only "babies" sucked their thumb & I stopped. I needed braces for too many teeth in my mouth (genetics) -- not thumbsucking. My husband sucked his thumb until ? school he thinks -- and his teeth are awesome -- straight & beautiful (genetics plays its hand again). One child of mine sucked her thumb until she was 10 months old & then she found out about walking & running. Never sucked again.

Let your sweet little baby suck whatever she wishes except toys from CHINA.

Just wanted to help.
Sorry for the enthusiasm (really just waiting for my coffee to brew -- kinda grumpy until coffee:)

My daughter just turned 3 months, and in her ultra sound picture (3d) she was sucking her hand. When she came out she had a suck mark on her hand. The doctor said it was no big deal, thats how they comfort themselves right now. My daughter won't suck on a pacifier, she sucks on her hands. I wouldnt worry about it right now. She is still very young. I would much rather her suck on her hand/thumb then a pacifier. I know of a couple of 3 & 4 year olds who STILL have a pacifier and YES there teeth are messed up. I dont think the hand will harm them. If it comes to be a problem later on worry about it then. You have enough to worry about now then to keep taking her hand away from her. Good luck!

Neither one of my girls would take a pacifier. i loved it because i didn't ahve to get up in thr middle of the night if it feel out. One sucks her thumb the other her two fingers. My dentist said it is nothing to worry about until her permanent teeth start coming in at around age 6. Sucking is a comfort for babies. If she willnot take a pacifier then go with the finger sucking for now. If this is the biggest thing you will have to worry about thank your lucky stars.