The Need for Sucking
Psychologically, according to Dra. Betty DK. Zakianto, M. Si, when infants suck their fingers it can happens because they hungry. Besides sucking babies do have needs, from birth to age 3 months. "Needs obtained sucking baby when breastfeeding, but this needs to be individualized. That is, each baby has a sucking need different, "explained this educational psychologist. That is why, duration of breastfeeding would not be the same on every baby. For example, there are babies who found satisfaction after sucking for 20 minutes during the breastfeeding, but there are some who feel satisfied after 40 minutes. In addition, milking interval can also be influential. Infants who were given once every 3 hours to drink, for example, needs to suck less than infants who are drinking 4 hours. "So the more often the baby was given the opportunity to suckle, the more often a baby can meet the needs for sucking," he continued. Some experts also said that breastfed infants would be more rare to do finger sucking than the baby who drink from a bottle. "If there are babies who breastfed while still sucking the finger, it could be due to a lack of nursing time. For example, the baby needs 40 minutes, but he was only given 20 minutes, so he was not satisfied. "Ideal feeding time, according to Betty, is about 30 to 40 minutes. "On 20 minutes the mother's milk is actually empty, but the baby is still sucking her nipples in order to meet the needs of sucking."
Gloves or pacifier
The problem is that parents doesn't like to see the baby sucking finger. They are afraid if the habit of sucking fingers will become a habit until after infancy. If it were so, it would be very difficult to eliminate. Anyway, if this practice continues, it would impede the development of the teeth. That is why, usually the parents provide an alternative solution by putting on gloves. In fact, according to Nartono, this method does not solve the problem, instead it can cause a danger. "The baby instead put the glove into his mouth. Well, if the gloves were sucked continues, of course, it got wet. In wet conditions, germs and dirt will be more easily attached. So, finally gloves can be bad for the baby, "he explained. Beside gloves, some parents also like to give a pacifier. It usually happens because the baby is still fussy even after they have breast-fed. In contrast to the finger, according to Nartono, pacifier was so influential on the development of the teeth, because the pacifier is not as hard as fingers. In addition, a pacifier is an object outside the infant's body, thus removing the habit relatively easier than when the finger sucking. But by sucking pacifier it can cause lot of air into the baby's stomach so the baby will be easy bloating. "Usually, when the pacifier falls just wipe on the shirt while the caregivers, directly fed back into the baby's mouth. Well, this, right, could be a problem in for the baby. " In other words, gloves and pacifier will cause new problems when being used as a substitute for the fingers.
Do not Worry
According to Betty, the parents do need not really to worry, because the habit of finger sucking will stop by itself. But with the record, as long as the baby grows in a fun environment. "Parents need to tolerate in order to meet the needs of the baby to suck." After all, eventually it will stop the habit itself. Moreover, as noted above, sucking fingers is a sign the baby is healthy and normal. Also, it is one of the needs of infants from birth to age 3 months. So it was natural. In fact, Betty says, until the age of 7 months too, the habit of finger sucking in infants is still considered reasonable. Another case when after the age of 7 months babies still continue the habit of finger sucking. "Parents should find out the problems," suggested Betty. If the baby get the comfort of his thumb, said Betty, she could be experiencing boredom, frustration, or even exhausted. "His case is similar to infants who seek security from the objects around him, such as blankets, pillows or stuffed." Even so, remember Betty, still the parents should not force the baby to stop the habit immediately. "Try to turn its attention to other activities that attract him. For example, create a game with a hand or finger, like playing applause. Obviously, this game should be memorable for him. "It could also provide fun toys or replace with a special toy to be bitten. But do not forget, make sure the toy is safe and clean. If all of these ways has remained fruitless, according to Betty, the parents actually do not have to worry too much during normal growth. So, although babies have a habit of sucking fingers, but he's still playful and cheerful, yes, it's okay. But if he starts daydreaming and activities throughout the day just sucking fingers, then the parents should worry. Consult with an expert is the best alternative if the parents can not nevertheless be able to find the cause and resolve it.
