Motherhood comes with a host of choices about what is best for you, your family, and your children. We at Boston Moms Blog are a diverse group of moms who want to embrace these choices instead of feel guilty or judged for them! Our “Parenting Perspectives” series is currently focused on the topic of comfort items. Our contributors will share their experiences with comfort items for their children.
The day after my C-section Olivia was wheeled into my hospital room after some routine tests, and I heard the strangest sucking noise. I stood up to pick up my little bundle and snuggle with her, and wouldn’t you know it — she had wiggled her hand out of her swaddle and was sucking away on her fingers. A few hours old and she had already found her security blanket.
Now, at 2 years old Olivia still goes for her two middle fingers when she’s feeling a little insecure, tired, scared, or just bored. And it’s adorable. At almost 5, Aaron continues to suck his thumb at night (he has no idea) and will occasionally pop it into his mouth when he’s not feeling so great. He found this thumb when he was about 6 months old, and he never looked back. I was able to get rid of all of the pacifiers I kept losing and knew he always had what he needed to self soothe.
Yes, I know my son looks a little childish with his thumb in his mouth. He knows when it is and isn’t appropriate to be doing it, and he doesn’t really suck his thumb in public. He says he just likes it, and it makes him feel better. If my young child knows how to calm himself down when he’s feeling stressed, it’s something I can get behind. He has no scars or calluses, his skin is fine, his nail grows, and there haven’t been any infections. In time, it’s something he will stop on his own when he is done and ready. I was concerned about some sort of emotional problems related to it, but (as of now) we see no indication of this. His pediatrician is OK with it. His dad is OK with it. And I’m OK with it. Plus, it’s really cute.
Olivia never took to a pacifier. She never had a lovey. She has had her fingers from day one. She has a little bit of a callus on her middle finger, but she shows no signs of stopping. Again, it’s something we are OK with. Having a child who knows how to make herself happy is a pretty amazing thing.
I know orthodontics are most likely in our future. That would be the only reason to stop my children from sucking their fingers, but given our family history of braces? They’ll need them anyway. So, in advance, you’re welcome Dr. N!
Parenting Perspectives: No Love for Lovies
Parenting Perspectives: We Love the Lovey!