Patient's question:
My baby is now 19 months old, but he has started wanting to eat his hands and breastfeed. He was weaned at 13 months, and I'm wondering what's going on. During the day, he sometimes eats his hands, but at night or as soon as he opens his eyes in the morning, he insists on breastfeeding. Sometimes he falls asleep while holding his hands. I haven't taken him to the doctor yet, but if he doesn't get breast milk, he cries uncontrollably, which is really frustrating. What could be the reason for this, especially the breastfeeding demand? What should I do?Doctor's answer:
Children sucking their hands at this stage is a normal part of their growth and development, and it's not abnormal for them to be attached to breastfeeding.1. Pay attention to correcting this by engaging them with other activities to divert their attention. Over time, they will forget about sucking their hands.
2. Pay attention to hygiene.
3. Apply something scary on your breasts so that the child is afraid and no longer wants to suck.
4. Be patient in comforting and engaging the child, but also be mindful not to let them become too stubborn.
Can the child still suck your milk?