thumb sucking instead of feeding!!! Help

Concerned(AK) - posted on 12/30/2010

And btw he got his first tooth yesterday exactly at 6 mths. That explains some of his fixation with the thumb as well

Concerned(AK) - posted on 12/30/2010

Thanks Sam... I had a read through the psych stuff. Interesting insight into human behavior...By the way I am getting hopeful that he will get the hang of drinking from a bottle if he is hungry enough like u said. We made some progress today although I will miss breastfeeding Neil when we eventually stop...

Sam - posted on 12/26/2010

I believe thumb/ finger sucking is the normal developmental behavior of babies. We should not take this gratification from them. This is their first step to move out. :(. Try feeding him more food than breast milk. Kid may not be really hungry but sucking the thumb for his gratification between feeds. Hope this helps you.

Sam - posted on 12/26/2010

Thought this might help you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosexua...

http://www.victorianweb.org/science/freu...

http://psychology.about.com/od/theorieso...

Concerned(AK) - posted on 12/26/2010

What I'm finding is that I can usually nurse him on the right side but struggle on the left as he sucks his left thumb. Occasionally I nurse in an armpit grip on left side tricking him but get a sore back, not sure what else to do. I have been really struggling last 3 months and he still cant ake a bottle. I am hoping one day I will be like other moms and go to shops and enjoy life with him...without worrying...

Sam - posted on 12/26/2010

My older son used to suck fingers. A friend of mine suggested and by increasing interval gradually his feed intake also increased and he seemed more satisfied. Though it was a bit dfficult for me initially. He still sucked his fingers till he was 4 though...

Concerned(AK) - posted on 12/25/2010

Did u have the same problem? I would like to know more as to how it evolved...thanks

Sam - posted on 12/24/2010

You may try to increase intervals between feeds and then the child might realise its the breast or the spoon where food comes from and not from thum sucking. It may be difficut for you for first cpl of days but worked with my kids. As long as baby does not appear to be sick -they do change feeding habits frequently. Hope this helps you

Dawn - posted on 12/21/2010

Your welcome :)

Concerned(AK) - posted on 12/21/2010

U r funny! Thanks

Dawn - posted on 12/21/2010

I'll try and convince God to send some your way this year:)

Concerned(AK) - posted on 12/21/2010

Not where we are in Australia... Wish we did though...

Dawn - posted on 12/21/2010

I love that weather! Forgive me for sounding ignorant, but do you get snow in the winter?

Concerned(AK) - posted on 12/21/2010

That's what we have at the moment.. Summer rain and storm combined with hot steamy days!!!

Dawn - posted on 12/21/2010

This is true. My oldest daughter loves it as well, but once Christmas and New Years pass, I think I would be happy to see it go. Give me sunny and 70 any day!

Concerned(AK) - posted on 12/20/2010

Perfect white Christmas!!!

Dawn - posted on 12/20/2010

I wish it was a little warmer here. We're under about 2 inches of snow with several more on the way...Oh joy.

Concerned(AK) - posted on 12/19/2010

Will try it but it is hot Down Under

Dawn - posted on 12/19/2010

If you can find a swaddler in the store, sometimes they work better than a blanket. But again, if he's hungry, once you get him in position, I would think he'd latch on and eat. If he doesn't try waiting a little longer between feedings. If he goes a little longer, I'd bet he'll get frustrated when his thumb isn't getting him what he needs, and maybe he'll eat a little more readily from bottle or breast. If I remember correctly, the growth spurts slow down around 6 months, and tend to pick up around 8 or 9 months again. As long as he's still gaining, even if not as rapidly as before, you should be okay. If he stops eating altogether, and/losing weight, see your doctor asap!

Concerned(AK) - posted on 12/18/2010

He weighed 7040gm at 5 months but he seems longant 70 cm. He had put on 470 gm that month and 400 gm the month before. He has dropped from 49th centile to 30th but is happy and active. I give him 120 gm if fruit and rest breast milk that I try to sneak in. Also he does not take the bottle so can't give him formula or breast milk that way. I feel tired and exhausted. Any ideas? Will try swaddling but anticipate he would hate it as already 5 and a half months old :(

Dawn - posted on 12/18/2010

Has he been gaining weight like he should? It seems to me, that if he's satisgied sucking his thumb and is healthy, then maybe he's not hungry. Some kids eat quite a bit more than others do. To keep his hands out of the way, try swaddling him to restrain his arms and feed him that way. My youngest used to get her hands in the way all the time. Now she grabs skin when she's hungry to pull me closer faster. If he really seems to be suffering because of the thumb sucking, or just doesn't ever seem hungry, definitely go to your doctor. That's not something you want to let get out of hand.