Finger Sucking

It's probably his form of comfort. If it make him happy, let him enjoy. It's a long way away before you have to worry about something like that. :-)

I would let him suck--it is a form of self-soothing and it might buy you some extra sleep! My daughter sucks her thumb only when really tired and it is great b/c if the pacifier falls out she will suck on her thumb until asleep again. You can always wean him off of it later on--he might even stop on his own as he gets older. Hope this helps!

I decided when my daughter was about that age to replace the finger (she didn't suck on the thumb either) with a pacifier simply because I figured I could eventually break a pacifier habit easier than a finger sucking habit (can't take a finger away!. Lots of parents prefer finger sucking though because the baby can find the finger easy and won't lose the finger at night and need it replaced in his mouth. I don't like either, but I read that sucking is important developmentally and emotionally and chose to pick my battle with the pacifier. Yes, it is likely to start a habit, but it's healthy at this age. I even checked with the dentist and he said "officially it's not a good idea- but my kids had pacifier. Just stop before she's 3 years old to prevent tooth problems" also I have read that sucking on a pacifier or finger helps prevent sids (I think that's from American Academy of Pediatrics, you could do as search to check).

One of my twins has always done this. She's 3.5 years old now, and only really does it when she's tired. I wouldn't be too worried about it.

I had this same discussion with a dentist and he told me not to worry about it until they get much older, two to four years. If you're real concerned just call children's dentist office and ask. Good luck.

R.: I actually tried to get my little one to suck his fingers to soothe himself. He couldn't quite catch on and therefore used a pacifier until about a year old. But the pacifier would fall out and when he was really young, he could not grab it and replace it. I really think sucking fingers is soothing for babies and easy for everyone. I think it is very few children who keep the habit for years and years so I say let him do it and be thankful. He can soothe himself and that is priceless. Congratulations on your little one!

Rachel,
In my many years of child development and care. I have seen many children soothe themselves in a variety of ways. For sure your 4mo. old is too young for you to worry about his finger sucking. Infants need sucking for a variety of reasons. The most interesting is that he/she is actually gaining brain development while sucking! Infants arrive into the world with the need to suck. They don't always get all the sucking they need from the breast or the bottle. Having a pacifier or using their hands/fingers is what they need. Please don't worry about your infants finger sucking. He/she is learning to soothe themselves. It is a wonderful thing! In my experience the babies that have not learned to soothe themselves are fussy, cranky and hard to please.
Enjoy your baby!
D. B.

When I was a baby I used to suck on my index finger instead of my thumb. There's nothing wrong with me today! I say it's quite ok, you won't have to worry about a pacifier!!

Hi Rachel!
I wouldn't worry too much, our 25 year old turned out okay. He sucked his two middle fingers for several months when he was a wee one. ENJOY him!
God bless.

P.