Forthe Baby
Baby Putting Hands in Mouth - Reasons and How to Deal with It
Updated: Nov 13, 2022

Introduction
The most common question that pops into the minds of first-time parents is, "Why does my baby put his hands in his mouth?" Babies put their hands in their mouths for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's because they are hungry, but at other times—such as when they're tired or bored—it's because they're looking for comfort. Though it can be frustrating when your baby keeps putting his hands in his mouth or puts them on things he shouldn't (like electrical outlets or sharp edges), there are ways to deal with this habit before it becomes harmful or dangerous.
Reasons Why Your Baby Puts Hands in Mouth
Your baby puts hands in mouth for a variety of reasons. One is to explore and learn about his environment; another is because he thinks his hands are interesting, or maybe even exciting. He could also be playing with his fingers to soothe himself, which can help him relax or fall asleep.
If you think your baby might be putting her hands in her mouth because she’s hungry, try offering her food first before assuming that your child needs to be fed. You can also ask the pediatrician if there are other reasons why your child might put their hands into their mouths (e.g., teething).
If your child is teething, he may put his hands in his mouth because it helps soothe the pain. Your baby might also be trying to find relief from drooling or irritation in his gums. You can try giving him a wet washcloth or teething toy to chew on; if he’s still uncomfortable after that, you can contact your pediatrician for more advice.
#1. It is a habit
It is a habit
No, it's not a bad habit or a good habit, but your baby has learnt to do this. If you have noticed, the first few days of life, the baby is all over your nipple and hands trying to figure out what it is all about. Then they start sucking on their fingers and thumbs while they sleep or when they are awake in their cribs or anywhere else!
The best thing you can do with your child’s hands-in-mouth behavior is to ignore them completely. Do not react negatively by scolding them or giving them negative attention. If you must react at that point then try smiling at them instead of scolding them for putting their fingers inside their mouths!
#2. Your baby wants to learn and explore the world
#2. Your baby wants to learn and explore the world.
Babies are curious about the world, and they want to learn about it. Babies will put anything in their mouths that they can reach, because they are trying to figure out what everything is and how it works. They don't know that some things are dangerous. So while your baby definitely has good taste in picking out your expensive jewelry as a teething ring, you may have to let go of some things so he doesn't hurt himself or others with it!
Babies are also very curious about how they fit into the world. They want to know who they are and what they can do, and this is why babies explore everything around them. This includes exploring their own bodies. A baby's first teeth start coming in when he is 6 months old, but some babies get their teeth earlier than that. If your child has more than one tooth at this age, then he may be experiencing teething pains!
#3. Your baby finds his hands to be interesting
Your baby may be putting his hands in his mouth because he finds them to be interesting. Babies are curious about everything in their environment, and they want to know what everything feels like.
Your child may also be putting things in his mouth so that he can explore the sensory properties of the objects. He might like how something tastes, smells, or feels on his skin. In this sense, your baby is learning about the world around him just by exploring it with all five senses (taste, touch, smell and sight)
If your baby is putting his hands in his mouth because he’s teething, try giving him a teething ring or other hard object to chew on. You can also rub a damp washcloth gently over his gums and then offer him the cloth to chew on. If it seems like your child is often putting her hands in her mouth, talk with the pediatrician about how you can help reduce this behavior. Your child might also be putting things in his mouth to see what happens. For example, if he puts a piece of food on the floor and it doesn’t move when he leaves it there for a minute, he may think that it has stopped moving because it’s dead. When this happens, your baby will likely pick up another piece of food and try to feed it to the first one (or vice versa). This is called "imitative behavior" and can be very common among young children who are just learning about their environment..
#4. Your baby could be hungry
If your baby is hungry, he'll make it known. He'll cry loudly and persistently; his fussiness will increase; he'll want to eat when you put the bottle in his mouth.
Don't wait for your baby to complain about being hungry before offering food or a feeding—this can lead to frequent feedings throughout the day and night.
If you're concerned that your baby isn't getting enough breastmilk because of frequent feedings, try increasing her intake by adding small amounts of water or juice at each feeding.
If you're concerned that your baby isn't getting enough breastmilk because of frequent feedings, try increasing her intake by adding small amounts of water or juice at each feeding.
#5. Your baby has got a soother, and he has learnt that putting fingers in the mouth calms them down
Soothers are not good for your baby's health. They can cause dental problems and speech problems because the back teeth of your child become crooked due to the sucking habit. Soothers also increase ear infections, sleep issues and obesity in children who use them frequently.
You should stop giving soothers to your baby as early as possible. It is important that you take steps right away to prevent them from becoming addictive by giving them a comforting object in their mouth every time they cry or feel upset.
You should also try to find out the reason behind your baby's constant need to suck. If you think that it may be due to hunger or pain, then you should feed them or give them medicine for their pain.
How to Deal with a Fussy Baby Who's Constantly Putting His Hands in His Mouth?
When your baby starts putting his hands in his mouth, you should try to distract him. You can offer him a soother or pacifier; if he doesn't like these options, try offering him his favorite toy instead. Sometimes babies will just need something to chew on when they get fussy. If this doesn't work for you, try giving your baby a cold teething ring or an ice cube wrapped in a washcloth to chew on; this will help relieve the pain of teething without causing damage to their gums as much as sucking on their fingers might cause.
If none of these things work, you should call your doctor. They might recommend a stronger dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for your baby.
What do you usually do when your baby is crying? What if he stops crying when you put your finger in his mouth? Well, then he is doing it because he has some sort of comfort with it. He will do it long enough till he learns something new.
Now, it is ok for your baby to suck on his fingers or thumbs. But when he does it because he wants comfort and not as an expression of hunger, then you need to stop him. You can do it by distracting him with a toy or just keep playing with him so that he doesn't have time to think about what he can do next.
Finally, if your baby isn't getting any better after trying all these options and is still putting his hands in his mouth even after four months of age, consult a doctor immediately because there could be some medical condition behind this behavior.
If your baby is still putting his hands in his mouth after four months of age, you need to stop him. You can do it by distracting him with a toy or just keep playing with him so that he doesn't have time to think about what he can do next. Finally, if your baby isn't getting any better after trying all these options and is still putting his hands in his mouth even after four months of age, consult a doctor immediately because there could be some medical condition behind this behavior.
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Conclusion
Well, the first thing you should know is that it's completely normal for babies to put their hands in their mouth. It doesn't mean anything bad or unusual. However, if your baby is constantly doing this or if it's causing some discomfort for him then I would advise you to talk to your doctor about it.