What's better - a dummy or let LO suck his fingers?

[bebespain]

My 8 wk old has recently started to suck his fingers. (last 2 wks) Seems to do it at any time so I don't think its always down to hunger. Have tried giving him a dummy instead but he doesn't want to know.
Should I just leave him alone to carry on or am I setting myself up for big problems later on?

[beansprout]

Well, the way I see it, is if you give him a dummy, it's a disaster if it's lost. Not something that will happen with fingers! It doesn't mean that they will become addicted though, ds has toyed with this but has never taken to it.

[Othersideofthechannel]

He seems to have made his choice.
Personally I have not tried dummies. DS chose thumb and DD two fingers.
SIL is up several times a night returning dummy to her 16 month old.

[fryalot]

sounds like he's teething tbh - try a teething ring.

[carve123]

my son has sucked his fingers for 2 years. i am pretty relaxed as both his cousins did it and stopped when they started school. dentist has said that fingers are better than thumbs as they cause less pronouncement in teeth. plus it really soothes him . desperately hoping my 6 week old starts sucking his fingers soon
only advice is to make handwashing a game so you can keep his fingers fairly cleaan

[ProfYaffle]

My dd sucked her fingers, refused to take a dummy so didn't have a choice! She stopped of her own accord once she got top and bottom teeth as they made her fingers sore.

[herbgarden]

My lo sucked his fingers at this age and is now a confirmed thumb sucker. He gets himself off to sleep at every nap time with his thumb and at night. He's a great sleeper. I have no problem with thumb sucking - I did it til I was 11 and have fine teeth. Some babies need a comforter whatever that may be, you can't deny it them - If they won't take a dummy then you really can't take their fingers or thumb away from them. They do look veeeery cute though with it in.

[Peridot30]

I gave my 2 dummies however friend's daughter sucks her thumb. My lo no longer have dummy they are 5 and 3 however friends daughter who is 5 constantly has her thumb in her mouth. on the other hand when kids were small i used to have to get up 2 give them their dummies if they had lost them but friend didn't.

Looking back im glad mine had dummies as i have a few friends that are 30 and still suck their thumbs