Thumb sucking hiring hunger-do I need to worry?!

[Mitchi]

My little boy is nearly 12 weeks and recently taken to sucking his thumb. He's seems to suck his thumb instead of crying so when he's hungry, tired, bored or in pain the thumb goes in. During the day I pull it out to try and work out what he needs (he will cry then, if the thumb not available!) and ensure he gets fed but in the night we are now getting quite worried. We thought he had started sleeping through the night last week, but we now think the thumb is just going in his mouth and he's just not crying for his food, so we are not waking up to his hunger call. Anyone else experienced this and do I need to worry? If he's putting on weight is it ok?

 

[HKateH]

I honestly wouldn't worry if he's putting weight on.

 

[pinklizzy]

I don't think you need to worry if he's gaining weight ok, my little man will suck his thumb for comfort too but if he's actually hungry I really know about it!

 

[pcsoph2890]

My daughter only sucks her thumb when tired, so I don't worry at all. They'll let you know when they are hungry as the thumb won't work.
I'm happy she's found something that soothes her. I sucked my fingers until I was mid thirties so I know how much comfort it gave me.....

 

[Bevziibubble]

They often do this as it can be quite comforting for them. I wouldn't worry about it if he is putting on weight

 

[LoveCakes]

My LO has sucked her fingers since the minute she was horn. She only does this when she's hungry so it's one of her cues and she always lets us know when she's hungry! It may delay feeding for a bit as a temporary comfort but if they're hungry it won't take that away.

 

[staralfur]

It's a comfort thing. I'd keep feeding as normal during the day but let him sleep through at night. If he was really desperate for food he would cry. Count yourself lucky!