Hands on learning: Waldorf system helps children's development, Kids Naturally An article written by Halton Waldorf School As early as infancy, as
children suck on fingers and grasp objects of interest, their hands transmit important sensory information to boost brain development.
As
your child sucks on your finger, the feeding will be drawn from the supplementer into her mouth.
Many babies and
children suck on their fingers during the first few years of their lives.
Not exact matches
A 2016 study published in Pediatric Dental Journal found that a callus
on the thumb or
finger caused by
sucking predicts a malocclusion — imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed — in
children.
And keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that
sucking on fingers, thumbs, and pacifiers, «is completely normal for babies and young
children» and that most
children stop before and «no harm is done to their teeth or jaws.»
Parenting experts have long known that nonnutritive
sucking, such as
sucking on a
finger, thumb, or pacifier, is normal behavior for most infants and young
children and according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, it is «associated with their need to satisfy the urge for contact and security.»
However, some
children repeatedly
suck on a
finger, pacifier or other object over long periods of time.
While
children with prolonged and constant
sucking habits (whether
on a
finger or a pacifier) may have problems with their upper front teeth coming in properly, pediatric dentists suggest that for most
children pacifier use won't cause any dental problems until the permanent teeth come in — usually around age 4 to 6.
Infants and young
children may
suck on thumbs, other
fingers or pacifiers.
Some dental malocclusions have been found more commonly among pacifier users than nonusers, but the differences generally disappeared after pacifier cessation.284 In its policy statement
on oral habits, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that nonnutritive
sucking behaviors (ie,
fingers or pacifiers) are considered normal for infants and young
children and that, in general,
sucking habits in
children to the age of 3 years are unlikely to cause any long - term problems.285 There is an approximate 1.2 - to 2-fold increased risk of otitis media associated with pacifier use, particularly between 2 and 3 years of age.286, 287 The incidence of otitis media is generally lower in the first year of life, especially the first 6 months, when the risk of SIDS is the highest.288, — , 293 However, pacifier use, once established, may persist beyond 6 months, thus increasing the risk of otitis media.
Most
children stop these habits
on their own, but if they are still
sucking their thumbs or
fingers past the age of three, a mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist.
«The trick is to work with the
child to lessen her dependency
on thumb
sucking or
finger sucking before the coping skill turns into a habit,» Hayes says.