Babble

 My daughter (6 weeks old) can always calm down when I or my wife puts a pinky finger in her mouth to suck on. It's our one safety valve if all else fails. We're trying to get her to take a pacifier instead but she's not fooled. We even tried to put a little sugar water on a soothy pacifier to no avail. Has anyone had any experience similar to ours? If so, what worked for you?

I dont know if this will help you, but I sucked my thumb until I was like 8 years old when I finally stopped and I swear I am totally normal : ). I actually WANTED my kids to suck their fingers or thumb because then they always had a way to soothe themselves, but to no avail. Now I am always looking around for a pacifier and I always have a spair on my bedside table just incase I need one in the middle of the night. So maybe it would be better to let her suck her fingers. Plus, at 6 weeks, who knows? Things change so fast in a week she could be begging for a passy.

 

Thanks for the reply but I guess I wasn't clear. She doesn't suck her own pinky finger, she sucks my pinky finger. If she sucked her own that would be fine.

LOL! Oh, I get it now! I found putting my finger in my kid's mouths when they were under 3 months was just fine. I have never heard of a baby becoming 'addicted' to their parent's fingers, so I wouldnt worry too much. Most women I know just pop the baby on the boob to quiet them down, so I guess a finger is better 'cause then both parents can do it!

As for advice on how to get them to take a passy or suck their own finger/thumb, I would say just be repetitive and dont plan on it happening too quickly.

 

Hi,

Sorry for my English.

We have the same problem with our daughter (5 weeks old): she likes to suck my finger most instead of a pacifier or the breast. Probably she is not hungry and she just wants to suck something, not the breast because this has a lot of milk.

I don't know what to think...is it ok? I feel like doing something pervert!!!

What about your daughter now? Have you been successful in switching from your finger to a pacifier? And how?

Thank you!

 First of all, it's not perverted! It's very common. I think some babies like the feel and taste of skin rather than plastic or rubber. My daughter is now 5 months old and has discovered her own fingers to suck on. She rarely sucks on a pacifier and we don't let her suck on our fingers anymore, she doesn't seem to miss it. I think she just grew out of it.