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"Children are more than two years old, how can they still pick up something and stuff it in their mouths, how dirty, in case they get stuck?"
"My baby is more exaggerated, not only nibbling on the hand, as long as he can grasp something, through the mouth to put it, is there any problem?? It was so helpless."
There are often bao moms in the background to ask about the problem of "eating hands", so Xiao En will talk to you about "eating hands" today, "Is this behavior really abnormal?"
When it comes to babies eating hands, many parents are worried that eating hands are very unhygienic, and try to prevent them from putting their hands in their mouths, and even applying chili oil to their children's fingers!
But babies will still eat their hands with perseverance, and even express their dissatisfaction with crying emotions.
That child eats fingers, do we really want to care?
01
First of all, we must give parents a reassuring pill: "eating hands" is actually an instinctive reaction of babies, and many babies have begun to eat as early as the womb.
Before the age of 2, children will experience a special stage in life - the period of oral desire.
The oral period, also known as the "oral sensitivity period", the child will put everything they can reach into the mouth, and perceive them by biting.
And their small hands are the first thing they can have the opportunity to put in their mouths, so the hands become the child's first "toy".
Children exhibit hand-eating behavior, which indicates that they are growing.
Babies at 3 months: At this stage, babies don't know that the hand is their own, they just accidentally noticed their own hand and put it in their mouth.
From a scientific point of view, this is a child's self-exploration behavior, and parents do not need to worry at all, nor do they need to stop. Instead, you can guide your baby to learn to use your hands, such as hanging some toys to stimulate your baby's hands to touch.
4-6 months of baby: At this stage, babies have learned to grasp toys with their hands, at this time they will not only eat their hands, but also put the toys and objects they have caught in their mouths.
Parents also need to stop the behavior of eating hands, because intraoral exploration has certain benefits for the development of the baby's perception ability, but pay attention to avoid exposing the baby to small things to avoid accidents.
7-24 months: This stage is the baby's deciduous teeth eruption period, because of the occurrence of a variety of gum discomfort, the baby will naturally want to bite the finger to alleviate, this stage of parents in addition to not having to prevent it from eating hands, but also ready to bite the glue and other toys, instead of fingers.
In general, the baby's hand-eating behavior within 2 years of age is a normal performance, parents do not need excessive intervention, all we have to do is to help the baby wash his small hands.
02
In fact, children eating hands is not useless, but there are many benefits.
Intellectual development
Babies who eat their hands may be smarter. The development of the baby's brain requires a lot of sensory stimulation information input, so babies who are often touched, hugged, and accompanied by their parents may be smarter and more confident when they grow up.
Eating hands gives babies a sense of accomplishment after self-satisfaction.
Exercise sensory coordination
The baby can accurately send the finger to the mouth, in fact, relying on the coordination of the sensory system and the motor system, and each attempt for the born baby will bring her more surprises.
Achieve self-consolation
Children who eat their hands can play a substitute for self-comfort when they are not soothed by their mother's nipples.
Babies can find ways to be satisfied, which is also conducive to the development of children's self-awareness.
03
Although the benefits of children eating hands are many, there is also a time limit.
Generally speaking, children do not need to stop eating their hands, they just need to wash their hands frequently.
As they age, their mobility increases, their energy is distracted, and they gradually lose interest in eating hands.
Children of these two ages eat hands and need parental intervention.
Preschool This stage refers to 4 to 6 years old
School age This stage refers to the age of 7 years to before puberty
If the child is still eating after the age of 3, parents can gradually intervene in the problem of the child eating hands.
"Disease from the mouth in", frequent eating hands, not only unhygienic, but also will cause the child's jaw dysplasia, will affect the development of the child's mouth and teeth, resulting in incisors bulging, tooth arrangement deformation, teeth can not bite normally.
Therefore, it is also important to intervene in the child's eating behavior and the appropriate method.
Don't be reasonable
Some people say that reasoning is the most ineffective way to educate children.
Deeply believed, when the parents open their mouths to the child to reason, it shows that he is on the opposite side of the child, denying the child's behavior and accusing them of mistakes.
At this time, the child's heart has erected a barrier to isolate himself.
Maybe parents are right, but if you can't listen to them, it is useless to say more.
Due to the small age and limited cognition, although the truth is correct, the child may not be able to understand it.
Use pacifiers wisely
When the baby is 3-6 months old, parents can use a pacifier to satisfy their desire to suck.
Although the pacifier used to soothe crying babies is very effective, it should be used with caution and not over-reliance.
Usually, a teething stick or bite glue can be used instead of a pacifier.
Effective parental companionship
Effective companionship of parents.
This is really too important for the child, when the baby is bored or neglected, he will also eat hands to achieve self-satisfaction and seek security.
Therefore, usually accompany children to play small games, sing nursery rhymes, increase the baby's sense of security, they will naturally not nibble hands.
For babies under 2 years old, if you deliberately quit eating your baby by applying bitter cream and wearing anti-eating gloves, it is often not conducive to their growth, but may lead to the extension of the eating period.
Give them a little time to grow, under your guidance, take the baby to transition smoothly and naturally during this period, I believe they will be able to quit eating hands on their own.