The child pulls his hands in his mouth

Why does the child pull his hands in his mouth? Photo: Getty

Why does a child pull his hands in his mouth?

This feature is usually characteristic of children, veryattached to a pacifier. When it is discontinued, they suck their fingers, sometimes not only their hands, but also their feet. Naturally, this is unhygienic. Germs get not only into the mouth, but also into the stomach, causing pain, poisoning, and upset stomach. Children also put their hands in their mouths because of their curiosity, this is how they learn about the world around them. In addition to fingers, they also taste toys, paper, and the edges of furniture, which they can lick. It is believed that sucking a finger calms the baby. Thanks to this, he falls asleep faster. Therefore, if this tendency manifests itself only before bedtime, then there is no reason to worry. If the child puts his hands in his mouth constantly, and this happens both during games and during feeding, it is worth analyzing the family situation itself. Most likely, something is bothering the baby. You should not naively assume that the child is still small and does not understand whether his parents are arguing. The baby is very sensitive to the emotional atmosphere in the family, and when it is tense, he tries to calm down by holding his palm in his mouth.

How to wean children to put their hands in their mouths

Each child is an individual, and thereforeA special approach is needed. However, there are general rules on how to wean children off putting everything in their mouths: 1. Switching attention. As soon as the child starts sucking his finger, immediately distract him with a more interesting activity. For example, tell him a nursery rhyme, pick him up, do finger exercises. 2. Demanding care. Carefully watch whether the child puts anything in his mouth. Explain firmly that this should not be done. Repeat the comments in a firm, but not rude manner. 3. Wool protection. This method works well in the cool season. You can put knitted gloves or mittens on the baby's hands. The child does not like the prickly wool in his mouth. After trying a woolen hand several times, he may give up this habit. Some parents, by analogy with this method, smear the child's hands with mustard. However, this method is too cruel for the baby's stomach. You can wean him off putting fingers in his mouth, but you will get childhood gastritis, which will be much more of a problem. Children usually taste their hands and surrounding objects, but this habit is usually temporary. With a competent pedagogical approach from parents, it can be easily gotten rid of. The main thing is patience, care, and an attentive attitude towards your baby. Read more: