Teething, weaning, sucking a dummy, thumb-sucking

Teething frequently produces food difficulties. The child usually suffers a good deal of real physical pain. But it also seems clear that his fears about his aggressive feelings increase with the appearance of the teeth, and screaming fits and feeding difficulties may occur at this time. Eating may become associated with aggressive feelings and so become a dangerous process, especially in the presence of his parents, against whom his aggressive impulses are largely directed.
Any physical illness is likely to cause some disturbance to good feeding habits, and the increased anxiety shown after his illness in regard to his eating is likely to increase the disturbance.
 

Weaning must be gradual. The loss of the close contact which breast-feeding implies is a source of real anxiety, and a feeling of frustration. The baby can only become accustomed gradually to loss of the breast. It is equally a great mistake to continue breast-feeding too long, as it tends to increase the child's dependence on his mother and is, of course, bad for his health. Some working class mothers continue this practice partly for reasons of economy and partly for emotional reasons, being desirous of preventing the child from growing up. It is also a mistake to give up breast- feeding too early and spoon-feeding is at first best done by the mother with the baby on her lap. Later, the baby can feed, sitting in his own chair at the family table, with as little fuss made about him as possible. If the food is not all eaten little notice should be taken. After all, the child will come to no harm even if he eats nothing for a day or two, and the parent should never be afraid to allow a meal to be refused altogether. If the baby is healthy his normal hunger will tend to overcome any other feelings. Forced feeding only makes the nursery at meal times a battlefield strewn with bits of food, and usually defeats its own ends as the food is unlikely to be properly digested. The golden rule about feeding is to be calm and unconcerned, and let meal times fall into the normal routine and not assume undue importance.

Sucking a dummy is not advocated on hygienic grounds, but on psychological grounds it is permissible if the child is unduly disturbed. To deprive him of this satisfaction, which is a substitute for the breast, may produce worse evils, but a really healthy, contented, well-cared-for baby will not need a comfort.

Thumb-sucking serves a similar purpose. It provides the child with a comforter in place of his mother's breast. Alternative occupations should be provided, but also adequate nourishment and affection. The thumb may gently be removed from his mouth when he is asleep so that it does not become a habit. It is not of very great importance in babyhood, but it may be regarded as a signal of distress if it persists long in childhood.

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