The Imperfect Community

[momtofour]

DS3 began this odd behavior a few weeks ago - he sucks on his bottom lip. He'll stop if you tell him to, but it just seems like whenever he's not talking or eating all he wants to do is suck on his bottom lip. He does it in his sleep too, and let me tell you - that kid can suck like a Hoover. It's impossible to pull his lip out. I'm concerned because he's got marks on his face from the suction.

He's never had a pacifier (would never take one - believe me, I tried) and he's been weaned for over a year. He is painfully shy, as I've mentioned before, but we've had no new experiences in the last few weeks that might have brought this on. He is otherwise a typical happy 3yo. Any ideas on what I should do?

[Jessica]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I think it's probably just a coping mechanism or security behavior. Does he have a lovey or a blanket or something? Some sort of soothing device at all? I'm thinking he uses the sucking of his lip to soothe him and he's not going to hurt himself, so I'd just let it go. If you try to discourage it, it might make him insecure. You might be able to get him to go with another form of soothing, by replacing the sucking with an object, but you know, objects can be lost!

I'll be curious as to what some of the other moms here think of it.

[Scout]

I agree with Jessica--it sounds like a security thing, like thumb sucking. I would try not to make a big deal about it and see if it passes.