They do it from very young, maybe even before birth. They insert a finger into their mouth and suck, sometimes with fruition, sometimes introducing two fingers or part of the fist. But, Why do babies and some children suck their fingers? Why do they suck the pacifier and other objects?
It is a completely normal type of suction in infants and young children up to approximately two years. The first months also have sucking reflex, whereby the baby looks and sucks when the area around the mouth is touched.
Suction provides security and young children make contact with the world around them, learning through that suction. In addition, it is essential in the newborn to stimulate the nipple, produce prolactin and ultimately cause the rise of milk for breastfeeding. Thanks to the suction the little one will feed for quite some time.
Beyond four or six months, the suction ceases to be a reflex and will be done consciously (if it persists as a reflex, it could be a sign of developmental problems). They will use it to feed themselves and also to explore the world, since through the mouth, along with the taste, the baby's sense of touch is very developed.
Most children stop sucking their fingers or pacifiers on their own between two and four years of age. Recall that the Spanish Association of Pediatrics recommends not leaving the pacifier to children beyond twelve months, to avoid risks associated with prolonged use, such as increased otitis media, dental problems and risk of accidents.
The Pediatric Dentistry Association notes that some children continue to suck their fingers or other objects for very long periods of time, so it is very common to observe defects in the position of the teeth, the growth of the jaws and the closure of the mouth.
If the habit of sucking the fingers or the pacifier affects the eruption of the permanent incisors, then it can become a problem. It is important to make the necessary visits to the dentist and this will assess the oral evolution of children with sucking habit.
The habit of sucking fingers, thumbs or pacifiers equally affects the teeth and jaws, although the "advantage" of sucking a pacifier is that it is easier to remove the habit. Although, as we have said on occasion, you cannot always choose.
Definitely, the sucking reflex will make the baby suck his finger or the pacifier the first months in order to feed and calm down, it is something that provides security. After this reflex becomes a habit that continues to transmit that tranquility and also continue to explore other objects with the mouth and we will continue to say "No mouth!" and taking care that nothing dangerous is carried away.
