Finger sucking

bl190004 · October 2013

When does finger/hand sucking become an unreliable hunger cue? My boy is 7 weeks today, and I've read that about this time, they start to really discover their hands and use them as a comfort mechanism. I only ask because he just ate 1.5 hours ago and wouldn't normally be hungry so soon. I'm going to try to feed him; just curious if any other mamas had thoughts or similar experiences?

catskitch · October 2013

I could have posted the same thing! I ended up feeding him one side because he started crying too and he ate for 6 minutes and spit up a little. But he's not chewing on his hand anymore. He's next to me kicking and cooing away.

catskitch · October 2013

He's also very drooly too. Could that be signs of teething already? He's 9 weeks now.

coraggiosa · October 2013

DD sucks her hand and fingers, and it is no longer a reliable sign of hunger. I will put her to the breast when she starts doing this, and she just comfort sucks on my boob without actually swallowing a lot. She has other more reliable cues at this point that I follow - for example, she will arch herself towards my boob when I have her head up on my shoulder, which is pretty hilarious.

bendicott7 · October 2013

LO will suck on his fingers/hand a few minutes after eating. He is 7.5 wks and has been super drooly for probably about 2 wks now. I think it is just part of the game.

LiylaRae · October 2013

LO sucks on her thumb right after she's been fed so I know she isn't hungry. She won't even take a paci anymore she just wants her thumb and it puts her right to sleep.

LO hunger cues that I go by now she scooting herself down towards my boobs or she does this little impatient laugh which is hilarious but it's how she's telling me she is hungry.

sfeebs13 · October 2013

DD does this too. I wasn't sure if it was maybe the start of teething also but I didn't think that was til 4-9m. I know all babies are different. She is 10w
DD recently started this fake whiny cry when she's hungry. Where she lets out a yelp followed by those grunting cries.

bl190004 · October 2013

Silly babies. Just when we think we've kinda figured out what they want based on their cues, the cues change. Gah. It's starting to become a process of elimination this last week or so. @catskitch, I just tried feeding him, and he ate for 7 minutes, pulled away and started screaming. This has become a trend the last few days. LO normally isn't a fussy baby, so I'm hoping it's his 6-wk. growth spurt and it stops soon. I want my smiley guy back!

mommabmb · October 2013

LiylaRae said:
LO sucks on her thumb right after she's been fed so I know she isn't hungry. She won't even take a paci anymore she just wants her thumb and it puts her right to sleep.

LO hunger cues that I go by now she scooting herself down towards my boobs or she does this little impatient laugh which is hilarious but it's how she's telling me she is hungry.

DS also does the scoot and the giggle.

it is super cute!

LokiLahve · October 2013

My LO is 6.5 weeks and just starting to notice her hands and I'm starting to have the same issue. I'll stick my nuckle in her mouth, if she is hungry she tries to latch...if not she pushes it out.
I'm having a hard time noticing her hunger cues now that hand sucking is becoming unreliable. I'm sure after another week I'll have them down.
Everytime I figure this baby out she changes! Good thing I like a challenge.

CaliforniaDream87 · October 2013

bendicott7 said:
LO will suck on his fingers/hand a few minutes after eating. He is 7.5 wks and has been super drooly for probably about 2 wks now. I think it is just part of the game.

Yep, this. I wait a while now to see if he gets fussy. That's how I figure out whether or not it's time to feed.

Lilmrslay · October 2013

My LO sucks her hands when tired now, rather than hungry.

When she's hungry she also does the little impatient laugh, and arches towards my breast.

I miss my little woodpecker who use to bob her head rapidly at any part of me to say she was hungry. It was so cute!

thoughtfulmommy · October 2013

When it is about time to eat he sucks his hand as an early cue. But he is a big sucker so he often sucks his thumb and fingers when he is tired. The differences are very subtle but he does more if a whole hand knuckle suck when hungry.

catskitch · October 2013

I do the knuckle in the mouth too. if he's hungry, he'll open his mouth wide and reach for it.

That.Just.Happened · October 2013

catskitch said:

He's also very drooly too. Could that be signs of teething already? He's 9 weeks now.

Doubtful. They develop their saliva glands at around 2 months and become super-drooly because of it, but teething likely won't start until at least 6 months. Time to break out those bibs!

TurtleMomma · October 2013

CaliforniaDream87 said:

bendicott7 said:
LO will suck on his fingers/hand a few minutes after eating. He is 7.5 wks and has been super drooly for probably about 2 wks now. I think it is just part of the game.
Yep, this. I wait a while now to see if he gets fussy. That's how I figure out whether or not it's time to feed.

Me, too!

Smom901316 · October 2013

DD does this little meow fake cry and has been pretty reliable on being hungry every 3 hours or so , that is how I am trying to stay on top if feedings ... The drooling and hand sucking has thrown me off for the last week and a half

V&G101808 · October 2013

DS loves to chew on his first. He's also crazy slobbery but the pedi said not to worry- teething shouldn't be starting so soon.

He's been chewing on his first for a few weeks. I'd say that around the 8 week mark it was no longer for hunger.

lkobriant · October 2013

LO chows down on his hand constantly. He has a very specific hungry fuss/cry. That's how we tell. A lot of times though we just know from his routine that its time to eat soon after nap.

CBiggs85 · October 2013

When DD frantically is sucking the back of her hand rather than using her fingers as a pacifier I take that as one of her cues. She does a whiny impatient "uh!" sound too.

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