Fingers in the Mouth at 5 - Pompano Beach,FL

Hi T. - My son - now 9 - still puts everything in his mouth, fingers, shirt (bites off buttons!!), toys, old drinking straws, anything within reach - WHERE EVER it comes from!!

He has severe ADHD and the Dr told me that this behavior is some type of syndrome (sorry I do not remember the name I think it began with an S or C). Anyway there is basically no way to stop it. He said I could try behavior modification - but did not tell me how to do it!

My oldest is a nail and TOE biter! We have tried everything from rewards, nasty nail polish, taping up her fingers at night, taping gloves on her hands at night - nothing has stopped her.

As annoying as it is - I think "we" as parents have to learn to deal with it in what ever works for us.

Sorry I don't have a magic answer, just know you are not alone.

M. F

Hi, I'd suggest NOT focusing too much attention on your child's habit. If he's putting his fingers in his mouth as a self-soothing impulse then putting further pressure on him probably won't help. Help him feel comfortable about himself and fully loved and accepted... and also relax your own fears and anxieties... unless he's got something really toxic on his fingers putting them in his mouth is unlikely to get him sick. Microorganisms are everywhere and they usually don't lead to illness unless we are in a stressed state where our energy is depleted and our body allows the bacteria/viruses to proliferate. Our society has an unrealistic and unhealthy fear of germs, and it starts with parents programming in that fear when we are kids. We actually have a symbiotic relationship with many bacteria, and it's our internal terrain that fuels illness. Fearing germs can create the reverse of the placebo effect - having a NEGATIVE belief can create the negative result. So clear your own anxieties, especially anxieties you have about your child, and that may help him relax and let go of his excessive oral self-soothing.

I was curious what others had to say and - now want to give my votes to frequent hand washing (sanitizing when not available) - and Jed S' idea... of course - he didn't offer any advice on HOW to ignore it :-) So - keep in mind: you won't be able to prevent him from getting sick. There are scientists who believe that a certain amount of germs are necessary to kick our immunity systems into gear. Maybe you clean house too often and he is self-medicating? :-) lol

Enjoy your boys!

hand sanitizer....frequently!! He may dislike the taste and stop doing it....and even if not, at least you will cut down on the germs.

K. G.

I totally hear you!!! My 5 year old constantly has her hands in her mouth (not to mention her nose..eewww!). But worse, her 4 and 2 year old sisters copy everything she does. I feel like all I say all day is, "Get your hands out of your mouth! Quit picking your nose! Go wash your hands!" over and over and over!

Because I'm constantly saying it at home, I find myself fussing at a coworker when she bites her nails at work.

I tried igoring it with no luck, I tried the pepper stuff you can put on nail biters to get them to quit. But I felt like it was cruel to do to a child. So I hope you get some great responses that I can use too!

My son just started doing that. I keep threatening to put hot sauce on his hands to the next time he does it he won't like it. I haven't tried it yet though. Just a suggestion.

Hi T.,

As much as I really don't like the idea of putting hands in the mouth, I have to agree with Jed. We have an over abundance of fear when it comes to germs. If your little one's immune system is up to par and his hands have been in nothing toxic, there is usually nothing to worry about. The fear arises from the fact that most kids DO get sick because they are not healthy.

Non-toxic hand sanitizer, even with some alcohol, is prefectly safe if not overused. Washing hands with regular soap and water helps even more. If you really want him to stop the behavior, there has to be consequences. That's something you have to determine.

God bless!

M.

Hi.
I would not worry too much. Maybe some, but not over the top. The germ thing... unless he's been handling raw chicken or something, it is part of childhood. As far as it just being a habit or making his nails sore or something, maybe try getting him some toys with small parts to play with. He is almost Bionicle (Legos) age... and boys can spend HOURS manipulating the little pieces and parts to make new creatures and stuff. My son has made motorcycles out of those things... It's good for their fine motor skills too. Also, maybe prompt some play-doh time, or painting/drawing... play things that require the use of his hands. Then you will not be nagging him, but accomplishing the same thing.
Mine never was too bad about putting his hands in his mouth, but he chewed a lot of shirt collars and even gnawed off a button or two... It usually happened when he was at school (sitting still in a desk) or in front of the TV (watching a movie or something). So keep him up and busy with his hands....
:))

Hi, T.. Has your son been to the dentist lately? Find out if there is something in his mouth that is bothering him.

Also, kids that young can't comprehend germs. They don't understand the delayed cause and effect of putting germy things in your mouth and then getting sick a few days later. So trying to scare him this way probably won't work.

It may well be a nervous habit. See if you can get him to talk to you about what's going on in his life. Kids his age don't usually have the words to talk about it, but maybe you can sit down with him and draw pictures; kids communicate very, very well through their art. Don't pounce on him, though!!! Be light-handed with this; make it a mommy and son time. Draw a picture of your kindergarten or elementary school classroom, and then ask him to draw a picture of his so you can compare classrooms. Ask him to draw his friends or the house and the family, and see what he comes up with.

I hope this is helpful.
Peace,
Syl

Nothing better to offer except be patient and continue to remind him that it's a yucky habit. My kids 5, 6, and 8, all still have to be reminded to get their fingers out of their mouths. It's normal.

First of all, I just want to tell you that whatever you do... do NOT opt for using hand sanitizer as a deterrent.

Check out this link for more info:
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/sanitizer.asp

I have 5 kids ages 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9. Three of them are chronic nail biters, which means their finger are almost ALWAYS in their mouths. Believe it or not, they rarely get sick. Definitely no more than the other two children. No more than other children at school, in fact. While germs and illness are a legitimate cause for worry, most of them are just as easily tranferred through the air. Your best bet is to simply promote frequent, and thorough hand washing with warm soapy water and keep those fingernails trimmed. Make it a regular task to clean underneath them as well.
These things usually resolve themselves with time, and a little maturity. If not, at least this way you can feel a little better knowing that the hands in his mouth are clean!