My 5 month old started eating solids when he was 4 months old (pedi's request)... and when he started, he would jam his thumb into his mouth right after the spoon. At first, it was cute... but now, a whole month later, he is used to the whole spoon going in... and STILL jams his thumb into his mouth right after it. Does anyone else have this happen with their little one? Do they grow out of it? Is there something I can do to remove the thumb jamming habit?
I pretty much got the same information from everyone, so I will wait it out and let him grow out of it! :) Thank you everyone!
My kids did that for the first couple months. I think it helped them to "suck" down the food at such a young age. They are so used to a bottle/breastfeeding that I think it's a difficult thing to learn how to eat the solids without that thumb "help".
Hi R.!
My son did that too; I think he did it because it helped him swallow the food-at least that is the only reason I could come up with! After while we just started pulling his thumb out after he put it in; or held onto his hand while feeding him. Eventually it just stopped. I hope this helps! Good luck! J.
I believe they do this b/c it helps them swallow. He is still so young and still learning to eating so it sounds totally normal to me, and he'll probably do it less and less as he gets older.
Sounds normal to me. I think all 4 of my kids did that at one point or another. This is a very oral stage for them, and sticking their hands in their mouths is something they just do, whether there's food in there or not. You might have to hold his hand while you feed him for now. But it eventually will go away. Just makes for messing eating for a bit! One of the joys of parenting!
Hi,
One of our twin boys did this for a while. Just take his thumb out to feed. He will learn that to get food, he has to take it out. It can be very irritating, but he will grow out of it.
Hi R.. My grandson (who live with me, my husband and his mom) is 20 months now. He has been doing exactly as your son is from right about the same time as yours started. He is STILL doing it so as far as outgrowing it, that hasn't happened. It hasn't bothered me too much because he takes it back out when he's taking his next bite. His pediatrician said not to worry it was not a big deal and that his toddler does the same thing. I'm sorry I can't give you any good advice on how to make it stop (maybe some of the other moms can), but just wanted to reassure you that it's happening in our family too and the pedi said when he was ready, he would stop so that's what we're doing - just waiting for him to not want to do it anymore.
I have held onto the thumb until the spoon of food goes down. Then let the thumb go until I give him his next bite.
Then grab the thumb, put the spoon of food in his mouth, and again when he is done with that bite, let the thumb go.
Only thing I could think of. When I have given them finger food, then I do not hold the thumb.
F.
R.,
I would just simply not allow his hand to go into his mouth while he is eating. He will probably get frustrated with you, but if you insist that he can't put it in after her will stop eventually!!
Best of luck,
C.
Helping moms like you!
www.AtHome4MyGirls.com
OMG - that is so funny, my friend and I were just laughing because my daughter does the same thing. I don't know why they do it. She is 5 months also and has done this from the time she started eating solids (also at 4 months). I think that maybe it helps them swallow easier or something, that is the only guess that I have. I am sure that they will grow out of it! LOL - I am not too worried about it, I just try to hold her hands down while I am feeding her! Good Luck!
