3yr old cleans his face like a cat?

[Bugglette]

My son, who is totally normal in every way....'cleans' his face like a cat   He will lick his hand, usually the palm side of his fingers or the outside fleshy part between the thumb and forefinger, then rub it around his face.  It usually spreads dirt/stickiness all over and I find myself wet wiping his face a lot throughout the day.  Not to mention the fact that he licks his hands, regardless of when they've last been washed....although, he is rarely sick, so his immune system must be pretty good.  We have two cats, so that's probably where he got the idea.

I've been thinking he would just grow out of it, but my sis says probably not?!  Any ideas on how to get him to stop (without hurting his feelings)?  Do your LOs have any strange habits?

Thanks!

Laura

[puddle]

My 3.5 yr old recently started doing the same thing.  It started with a cold that lasted weeks and left her with dry patches of skin on her face from the ever running snot.  She would lick her fingers and put spit on them to make them feel less dry.  Then she moved to just licking her hands, which she does compulsively now.  I think it's similar to thumbsucking for her and meets similar needs.  For my DD at least, she's dealing with a new brother arriving in a few weeks, being 3.5 years old which is a super rough age, and coping with a drastic reduction in nursing since it hurts me so much.  I figure there's really no way to get her to stop until she no longer has the need, so I just make her wash her hands frequently.  I've noticed that she does it more often if her hands feel sticky in any way, so getting her to wash them reduces the need.  She also does it more when she's nervous.

I know this wasn't very helpful in answering your question, but I thought it might help to know that he's not the only one who does this!

[Bugglette]

Actually, your response is very helpful...as it made me remember that DS's habit also started when he had a cold. Thank you for your response!

[rightkindofme]

I am so glad this thread exists because we have this going on right now too.  It icks me out.