Patient's question:
My daughter is already more than 18 months old. She always likes to suck her fingers. If I stop her, she will cry and fuss. How can I stop her from doing that? Also, my daughter plays around all day and never wants to rest for a moment. She gets up very early every day, around 3-4 a.m., and plays by herself. Moreover, when it's time to sleep, she is used to holding an adult's hand or leg and also sucking her lips.Doctor's answer:
Hello, there are several reasons why babies suck their fingers:1. Sucking fingers during infancy:
(1) Sucking fingers is a sign of intellectual development: By the time babies reach 2 to 3 months old, as their cerebral cortex develops, they learn two actions. One is to wave their small hands in front of their eyes while staring at them—it’s called the "looking-at-hands" game. The other is to suck their fingers. Since babies initially perceive the world through taste, they use this special way to recognize different parts of their bodies at this stage.
(2) Sucking fingers is a psychological comforter. Babies often suck their fingers when their needs are not met, such as when they are hungry but can’t get milk or when they need their mother’s affection but don’t receive it. Sucking fingers helps them calm down.
Sucking fingers during this period does not need to be corrected.
2. Sucking fingers during early childhood:
1. For babies aged 1–2, sucking fingers is an unhealthy habit.
By the age of 1, as their brains continue to develop and their motor skills rapidly improve, they can sit, crawl, stand, and walk. They begin to explore the world with their hands. As their natural sucking instinct fades, they will naturally stop sucking their fingers. However, 20%–40% of children still suck their fingers to seek comfort, which is an unhealthy habit. These babies often lack maternal love or experience mental tension. When they feel lonely or bored, they use this method to comfort themselves.
2. Incorrect methods for correcting finger-sucking:
(1) Extend the time of feeding or put a pacifier in the baby’s mouth