To get annoyed at family members telling my son to take his finger out of his mouth

[Mummmyof1]

AIBU getting really riled up at family members for constantly telling my son to take his fingers out his mouth. He is only three.

I don't have an issue with it him doing it, it's just a phase.

Others need to stop trying to parent him and let him be.

He must be doing it a lot tho in the last 2 weeks ? for other adults to have noticed and commented on it.

Yep - finger / thumb sucker here and moved my whole jaw forward.

Oh god yes, the thread worms! I'm still haunted by those crawly little fuckers.

Do they still sell the stuff you paint on finger nails to stop biting them?

My parents didn't stop me sucking my fingers, and it did affect my teeth and mean I needed orthodontics later.
Also, the fingers I sucked are still minorly but visibly deformed now, over 35yrs later.

I'm with the pp who suggest discouraging or breaking the habit as early as possible, preferably before it actually becomes an entrenched habit.

I spend a lot of my time telling 5/6/7 year olds to take their fingers out of their mouths so I can understand them, and because I am worried about illnesses/threadworms etc spreading. If you can stop this habit now before it entrenches that would be a good thing. If it's only been a couple of weeks you should be able to do so.

I’d move on it early op - and actually, although you say they aren’t the type to be helpful, I think I’m this instance they have been, as it’s encouraged you to post in good time. Two-three weeks is nothing to worry too much about, but my BIL sucked his fingers from age 3 - 7 and had to have massive orthodontic work in his teens as a result. I know this because my pils still talk about what it cost them! When I was little there was a nasty tasting clear paint they used to put on the thumb and fingers to discourage the habit forming. At three he’s big enough to explain some of the reasons in an age appropriate way. You could maybe get him a fiddle toy if he struggles to drop the need for a sensory/ self-soothing technique? There’s loads about these days, and little soft, silky or velvety beanie type toys or “ pets” can be soothing to hold.

How can you not know that it's bad, and can cause dental damage?

Chewellery is great for kids that like something in their mouth.
It’s a necklace they can chew.

In regards to someone telling your child what to do, if you have spoken to them and they keep doing it I just tell the child they can do it. My mum used to parent over the top of me, so I would parent over the top of her.

I found those long finger plasters really helped kick my dc's thumb sucking habit. We went through about 10 plasters a day but I just kept on reapplying (and nursery also did) for about a month and then he just didn't go for it anymore. I'm glad I persisted as my dc's best friend is a finger sucker and his teeth line is bowed around where his fingers go in.

I've said YABU because it can be a really hard habit to break (My ND DS goes through stimming cycles and hands in mouth was one I always interrupted)

I get you don't want other people parenting your child, but dribble hands is grim, and the quickest way to spread every stomach bug and cold/flu/germ going, plus as has been mentioned, worms.