When do babies discover their thumbs

So if your scrapbook carefully documents the date of your baby's first step or first word, consider adding some other memorable milestones, such as the first time he put together a puzzle or built a tower. After all, while walking and running are the skills that are going to wear you out as a parent, fine motor skills are the ones that will save your sanity.

Know that one day, your child will sit quietly, trying to pop that raisin right into his mouth, or he'll spend hours with a coloring book, and you might finally find the time to finish that cup of coffee.

There is an orderly progression to acquiring fine motor skills. But its pace is often uneven and can be easily interrupted by a new fixation, such as learning to walk. Don't be too concerned if progress seems slow. Still, there are some red flags, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. They include:. A "busy box" with a bead maze on top and activities on all sides gives Baby a lot to do.

Your Baby's Fine Motor Milestones. By Cynthia Ramnarace. Save Pin FB More. Credit: Linda Farwell. Here are some ways to help your child develop his muscles and hone his talents.

Give your infant tummy time every day so he can build up the muscles in his back and shoulders. Starting at 8 months, offer your baby small, age-appropriate finger foods that she can try to pick up and get into her mouth. At age 1, encourage activities that require picking an item up and dropping it into a box. Stacking games are also a fun challenge. Starting at around 18 months, encourage him to use crayons and sculpting clay.

By age 2, start enlisting your child's help in the kitchen. Ask him to help stir the batter or cut shapes out of cookie dough. By age 3, many kids show interest in computers. Helping your child master the mouse develops her hand-eye coordination. Your basic scissors and glue sticks can be exciting challenges for 3-year-olds.

By 2 months, Baby has not "discovered" her hands. By 3 months, she does not grab your finger and cannot hold her head up well. By 4 months, he does not grab for toys or bring objects to his mouth. Does he do it at a certain time of day or place?

Use positive reinforcement. Set small goals to encourage him, like no thumb-sucking an hour before bed and then none after dinner, then not doing it all day, for example. Reward him with encouragement and praise, or a specific reward, each time he goes the full time without thumb-sucking. Consider aversive measures as a last resort. If, after a while, you notice your child is still thumb-sucking, even after trying the above ideas, consult your child's healthcare provider for advice.

Your provider may recommend aversive measures, like coating the thumb or finger with a bitter substance, or by using a bandage or thumb guard to discourage your child from sucking. Thumb-sucking in babies is not something to worry about. It's a common behavior that provides comfort for many babies and young children.

Chances are your little one will stop doing it naturally by about the age of 4, if not earlier. Gentle reminders to stop, positive reinforcement when your child goes long stretches without thumb-sucking, and eliminating or reducing stressors might work well.

All of a sudden about four months a go we suddenly realised that she had stopped sucking all by herself!. My son never had a dummy or sucked his thumb, but i have to say if anything i prefer them sucking their thumb as it looks more natural and you see more of their beautiful faces. Hi, my DS found his at 4 days old and has been sucking it ever since he's 13 months old today , although he only does it when hungry or tired which is great as then you know exactly what he wants. Im expecting another boy in 7 weeks time and I hope he likes his thumb too!

I'll certainly be helping him to find it! Babies birth - 12 months Bumbo seat age. Babies birth - 12 months Gripe water age? Babies birth - 12 months What age for the jumperoo?

My baby girl is 10 weeks today, and is still in the process of working out her thumb! Reading this thread, she seems a late starter on this!

She sometimes manages to get a couple of fingers in, and makes a lot of noise. She does seem to get really frustrated though, and shouts at herself It's a bit of a pain at the moment, as it wakes us up at night. When she has been trying for a while, I give her her dummy and she seems to take it quite happily. Hopefully she'll work her thumb out soon. It may help to limit the times and places that your child is allowed to suck his or her thumb and to put away blankets or other items your child associates with thumb-sucking.

Putting gloves on your child's hands or wrapping the thumb with an adhesive bandage or a cloth may help remind your child not to suck the thumb. Offering praise, positive attention, and rewards for not thumb-sucking may also help your child break the habit. For example, put stickers on a calendar each day that your child doesn't suck his or her thumb. After an agreed-upon number of days, have a celebration for your child.

Don't shame or punish your child for thumb-sucking. This will only lower your child's self-esteem. If home treatment doesn't work and you are concerned or feel frustrated about your child's thumb-sucking, talk with your child's doctor. There may be other treatment options, such as behavioral therapy, thumb devices, or devices for the mouth.

But remember that thumb-sucking usually isn't a problem in children at preschool age or younger. Most children will stop on their own if you give them time. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: Susan C. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.