Why Do Toddlers Chew on Their Fingers?

One of the most important reason is “Exploration and Sensory Stimulation”: Young children are curious and use their hands to explore the world around them. By putting their hands in their mouths, they can further investigate textures, tastes, and sensations.

You may ask, ‘Why do toddlers eat their fingers?’ Babies are born with the ability to root and suck instinctively.

Finger sucking is not a good habit for children and can be a difficult habit for some babies to break because it has a soothing and calming effect. According to the American Dental Association (known as ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (known as AAPD), eating on one’s finger is discouraged in children between 2 and 4.

If you are wondering, “How can I stop my baby eating his/her hands?” then we suggest that you continue reading.

Why does my baby put his fingers in his mouth?

As the Best British Nursery in Dubai, Parents should consider purchasing a teething toy, cold washcloth, and ice cube tray when a baby’s teeth begin to fall out of their gums. If you suspect teething prevents your child from falling asleep, consider giving them an over-the-counter pain reliever like infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen .

2 or 3 year old suddenly putting hands in mouth

Why does toddler chewing on fingers? Self-eating or teething can also be the cause of this behavior. It’s not uncommon for young children, around the age of three, to put their hands in their mouths. There could be several reasons why a three-year-old suddenly starts doing this:

1. Teething: Around this age, children may experience teething discomfort as their primary teeth continue to emerge. Putting hands or fingers in the mouth can provide temporary relief from the pain and pressure they feel.
2. Exploration and Sensory Stimulation: Young children are curious and use their hands to explore the world around them. By putting their hands in their mouths, they can further investigate textures, tastes, and sensations.
3. Self-Soothing: Sucking on their hands or fingers is a common self-soothing behavior in children. It can provide them with a sense of comfort, relaxation, and security, especially in unfamiliar or stressful situations.
4. Habitual Behavior: Children may develop certain habits, such as putting hands in their mouths, without a specific underlying reason. It could be a learned behavior or a response to boredom or anxiety.

While occasional hand-to-mouth contact is normal and harmless, there are a few things you can do to address excessive hand-to-mouth behavior:

1. Redirect their attention: Engage your child in activities that keep their hands occupied, such as playing with toys, drawing, or engaging in interactive games. Redirecting their focus can help distract them from putting their hands in their mouths.
2. Encourage proper hygiene: Teach your child about the importance of hand hygiene. Explain that it’s essential to keep their hands clean and encourage them to wash their hands regularly, especially before meals and after using the toilet.
3. Provide teething relief: If you suspect teething discomfort, offer your child appropriate teething toys or chilled, clean, and safe objects to chew on. This can help alleviate their discomfort and reduce the need for them to put their hands in their mouths.
4. Identify triggers: Observe if there are any specific situations or emotions that trigger the hand-to-mouth behavior. Identifying these triggers can help you address the underlying cause or find alternative ways to help your child cope with those situations.

If the hand-to-mouth behavior persists or intensifies, causing significant distress or interfering with your child’s daily activities, it’s advisable to consult a pediatrician or healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance.

What are the side effects of thumb sucking?

Why do toddlers eat their fingers? When a child’s permanent teeth erupt, finger-sucking or thumb sucking tends to be less of a problem. Long-term finger sucking, on the other hand, may result in the following side effects:

• A frontal lisp, tongue thrust swallowing, and tongue thrust speech pattern.
• The tongue rests in an abnormal position.
• Tongue strength will be decreased.
• Inability to lift and move the tongue from side to side can affect both speech and feeding.
• An open bite can have a negative impact on your ability to bite, chew, and speak.

Don’t miss this article: Should parents stop brushing children’s teeth when they reach a certain age?

How to stop a child from chewing on their fingers?

Helping their child stop finger sucking or toddler putting fingers in mouth, here are some helpful tips:

1. Encouragement and motivational language. Reward your child with more playtime when they take a break, and you praise them for it.
2. Remind them gently to stop.
3. Find other ways to cope and relax. Use a squeezable pillow to help your children cope and soothe themselves.
4. Schedule an appointment with the child’s dentist or pediatrician. When it comes to getting your child to stop thumb sucking, talking with a doctor can be more effective than discussing it with you or your spouse.
5. Don’t criticize or scold. You shouldn’t put undue pressure on your child to break the habit. Finger sucking can be exacerbated by pressure.

Source: Why Do Toddlers Chew on Their Fingers