A child sucks a fist

The child begins to suck his hands in the mother's womb. Sucking is an innate instinct that can most actively manifest in a child up to 4-5 months of age. Subsequently, the process of sucking itself goes to recession and the baby already takes his hands in the mouth less.

When the mother begins to worry, why the baby sucks her fist, she forgets that this innate reflex given by nature contributes not only to telling the mother about the hunger that has arisen, but also helps the child to calm down and feel safe.


How to disaccustom a child to suck a fist?

Seeing the child pushing his fists into the mouth, parents begin to look for a way to wean the child from this bad habit. But is this habit harmful in reality?

If parents are worried that a child often gnaws a fist, then it is necessary to observe his behavior for some time. It is possible that long breaks between feedings tire the child, and he begins to feel hunger earlier, to which he will be offered a breast or a mixture. A pen in this case is always there.

As the root cause of sucking can act teething. In this case, sucking a fist helps the baby get rid of itching when the first teeth appear.

As an alternative to sucking a fist, parents can offer a baby a pacifier. However, not every child agrees to such a replacement. Do not adults strongly insist on the nipple, if the baby refuses to take it in his mouth.

The unrealized instinct of sucking can contribute to the emergence, already in adulthood, of a feeling of insecurity, of fear of the future. Therefore, it is important not to prevent the child from sucking his fist, but to give him the opportunity to enjoy this period of childhood. This will allow him to feel safe and form a basic trust in the world. No child takes his fists in his mouth until two, three, five years. Usually by the year of the child, the need for sucking decreases spontaneously, without interference from adults.

Influence of sucking the fist on the bite and forming the teeth

Often parents are worried about whether prolonged suckling will harm the growth of teeth. Yes, to some extent, teeth are displaced from their initial position. However, this effect is observed only in relation to the milk teeth. Dentists say that sucking fingers and fists in infancy does not affect the growth of permanent teeth.

Trying to tie the hands of the baby, smear his fingers with bitter means can only aggravate the situation and intensify the protest of the baby, who at every opportunity will seek to re-suck his fist. The most important thing that parents can do in this situation is to leave the baby alone.