What could be the reason for biting and suckling of lower lip in toddlers?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a mother of a 3-year-old baby. For the past year she is suckling her lower lip all the time. Throughout the night she always suckles her lip. If we remove it with our hand she will be disturbed and cry all the time. My family members say that this will last forever if she would not forget this.

What do I do to avoid her suckling?

I tried to tape her lip but nothing worked.

Please help me out.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It is not uncommon for young children to develop habits like lip-sucking, thumb-sucking, or nail-biting as a way of self-soothing. However, if the habit persists for an extended period, it may lead to dental problems or other issues.

Here are some suggestions to help your daughter break the habit of lip-sucking.

Offer alternative ways to soothe: Provide your daughter with a soft toy or a blanket that she can cuddle with or rub against her face instead of sucking her lip. You can also try offering a pacifier, but make sure to wean her off it eventually.
Distract her: Engage your daughter in fun activities that require her to use her mouth or hands, such as blowing bubbles or playing with playdough. This can help shift her focus away from lip-sucking.
Praise and reward: Whenever you notice that your daughter is not sucking her lip, praise and reward her for her efforts. This will motivate her to continue breaking the habit.
Identify triggers: Pay attention to when your daughter tends to suck her lip and try to identify any triggers that may be causing her to do so. For example, she may suck her lip when she is tired or anxious. Once you identify the triggers, you can address them appropriately.
Be patient: Breaking a habit can take time, so be patient and consistent in your efforts. With your support and encouragement, your daughter will eventually learn to stop sucking her lip.

Thank you.