DS constantly has his fingers in his mouth

[apryllraye87]

DS is 5 and a half and he always has his fingers in his mouth. I've tried telling him over and over again to take his fingers out of his mouth because he is spreading germs everywhere.

He does it by habit when he's watching TV, when he gets in trouble, when he's playing on his tablet, etc.

Tonight I had him put gloves on while he was watching a movie but half way through he took them off and his fingers were right back in his mouth.

I try not to get frustrated because I know it's a habit and he does it without thinking about it but I find it so disgusting. It's driving me nuts!

Any ideas on how I can get him to stop are greatly appreciated!

[sharon]

What about gum? Maybe he just really needs some oral input. Gum can be very organizing and calming for some kids.

Lotion that would taste bad?

[onlyoneboy]

My cousin had this problem. His parents tried everything including a nasty tasting spray they used on his hands. The finally had to have these spike like things put on the roof of his mouth when he got braces to break him of the habit. He sucked his thumb so bad it was shifting his jaw and teeth.

good luck with this one. When you figure it out let me know. My DS is always playing with himself and I know that is also a habit. We always stop him and tell him he needs to do that in his bedroom or in his bathroom.

[apryllraye87]

I try to redirect him every time he does it, but I don't think that gum would help because he does it even with food in his mouth. We'll be eating dinner and I'll look over and he has his fingers in his mouth.

Thankfully he isn't really sucking his fingers, so I don't think it will harm his mouth or teeth.

I will try lotion.. maybe if he tastes something gross it will make him think realize he's doing it. I told him about 5 times last night and finally he said "I keep forgetting!" so I know he's not doing it on purpose, he just doesn't even think about it.

[lilmermaid]

I think there is stuff they make for thumb suckers that tastes nasty, might work for him even though he isn't sucking them.

[jrose]

I was going to say try lotion too. Hope you find something!

[cissy]

I dont' know about the fingers in the mouth but when I catch the 4 yr old eating his shirt I give him some fruit snacks and it seems to help.