Should parents stop a baby from sucking their fingers?
Oct 31, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
Generally speaking, whether to stop a baby from sucking their fingers depends on the baby's specific age. For infants aged 6 months to 1 year, finger-sucking usually should be discouraged; for newborns up to 6 months old, finger-sucking typically does not need to be stopped. Parents are advised to remain patient and attentive, closely monitor their baby's developmental changes, and provide a healthy and supportive growth environment.
Generally, whether finger-sucking in infants should be discouraged depends on the infant's specific age. If the infant is between 6 months and 1 year old, finger-sucking usually should be stopped; however, if the infant is a newborn to 6 months old, this behavior typically does not need to be discouraged. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical consultation is recommended. The detailed analysis is as follows:
For infants aged 6 months to 1 year, finger-sucking generally should be discouraged. As infants grow, especially when teething begins, frequent finger-sucking may lead to certain problems. First, excessive sucking can cause misalignment of teeth and affect oral health. Second, hands may carry bacteria or harmful substances, and prolonged finger-sucking increases the risk of infection.
For newborns up to 6 months old, sucking fingers is a normal physiological behavior, also known as the oral stage. This behavior helps infants explore their surroundings, meet their soothing needs, and is also an indicator of developing hand-eye coordination. If the finger-sucking is infrequent and does not negatively impact the infant’s health—for example, no skin damage on the fingers or gastrointestinal discomfort—then it usually does not require deliberate intervention.
Parents are advised to remain patient and attentive, closely observe their infant's developmental changes, and provide a healthy, supportive environment for growth.
