Question
The baby is 3 years and 8 months old and has never had a habit of sucking their fingers before. However, in the past six months, the child has been frequently seen sucking their fingers and often putting toys and other items into their mouth to chew. Parents have tried to correct this behavior, including scolding and spanking, but with little success. The parents are worried that the baby may lack certain trace elements or have parasitic problems, and they inquire about whether any nutritional supplements are needed and how to break the habit of sucking fingers.
Answer
Sucking fingers is a psychological need for children. Parents can allow the child to fully satisfy this need, and after this period, this behavior usually disappears naturally. When the child is sucking their fingers, parents can naturally give them some food or a teething ring to satisfy their need for suckling and chewing.