Finger sucking

Does anyone have tips to stop it? DS is 17 months old and sucks his index, and middle finger on his right hand only. He has been sick for 2 weeks, and when I took him in to his Pedi yesterday, he said we need to try and get him to stop, or else he will never get better, because the germs are just getting put in his body all the time. He won't sleep with out them, and he sucks on them ALL day. I just need some advice on this please!! TIA

Does he have all his teeth? How long has he been doing this? As for not getting over his sickness thats probably unlikely as all babies have their hands in their mouths as well as everything else they pick up. It actually builds immunity. Just keep his hands as clean as you can.


But I would just take his fingers out of his mouth and tell him he is too big to be sucking on them. Just do it every time you notice him doing it. Maybe start a chart and he can get something special if he goes an hour, then two, then three without sucking on them. As for night time, I'm not sure how you could stop that short of making him wear gloves or something. But he will most likely out grow it.

My daughter is 4.5 years old and still does this exact same thing.

We have tried positive reinforcement, bitter nail polish, bandaids on the fingers, all of it. Nothing has worked. We have gotten to the point that she only does it as she goes to sleep but that's the best we can do. Our doctor and dentist said the she would likely outgrow it in the next few years.

If you find something that works, let me know!! I could use the help  .

my 1 year old does the same thing!!! i was wondering how to stop it sometimes its so bad his little fingers turn white

Quoting Mama❍Moon:" Does he have all his teeth? How long has he been doing this? As for not getting over his sickness thats ... [snip!] ... time, I'm not sure how you could stop that short of making him wear gloves or something. But he will most likely out grow it. "

Yes he does have all of his teeth, and he has been doing it since he was 4 months old. He weaned himself from his pacifier and switched to his fingers. I have him wearing socks on his hand now, and he has been great, but I am not sure how naptime, and bedtime will be. I understand the germs thing though. He has had the stomach flu, and just can't get rid of it. He has had diarreah for 11 days now. Been doing the BRAT diet, and it isn't helping.

Quoting ~Hugh Jazz~:" Yes he does have all of his teeth, and he has been doing it since he was 4 months old. He weaned himself ... [snip!] ... stomach flu, and just can't get rid of it. He has had diarreah for 11 days now. Been doing the BRAT diet, and it isn't helping."

well thats good the socks are working! This year's flu is a tough one, hope he feels better soon!