Helping your child
break the thumb-sucking habit
By Jennifer Meers
Thumb-sucking. It is a habit that probably began before your child was even born. Most children instinctively turn to their thumbs or fingers for comfort when tired, sick, or anxious. So it’s easy to see why breaking the habit can be so difficult for your child as they grow older....continued below
For infants, thumb-sucking is a positive thing because it is one of the first things they do to meet their own needs. Babies who suck their thumbs or fingers typically fall asleep easier and sleep through the night earlier than children who do not. Most will naturally give up thumb-sucking as they discover new methods of soothing themselves.
Once a child’s permanent teeth begin to come in—usually by the age of six—they should no longer be sucking their thumbs. Most children have given up the habit well before that time, but it is estimated that at least 10 percent of children ages five and older still suck their thumbs or fingers.
Thumb-sucking after six may cause problems with the alignment of the child’s teeth and can contribute bite problems, changes in the roof of the mouth and speech impediments. However, not all thumb-sucking causes the same extent of damage. According to the American Dental Association, children who passively rest their thumbs in their mouths experience less damage than those who suck aggressively, making it especially important for the parents of aggressive thumb-suckers to begin trying to curb the habit early on.
Breaking the habit
- Pacifiers and prevention: Parents may be able to prevent long-term thumb-sucking by making a pacifier available to their baby. Although a pacifier will cause similar alignment problems if used past infancy, many parents prefer pacifiers because you can physically take them away at an appropriate age, making it an easier habit to break.
One downside to the pacifier: because they easily fall out of the baby’s mouth and require someone to put it back in, the infant becomes dependent on an adult rather than learning to self-sooth itself.
- Provide a different means of comfort: Because children turn to their thumbs for comfort, lessening anxiety-related situations and offering your child other ways to cope will limit his need to suck his thumb. Keeping your toddler’s day structured around a similar schedule and adequately responding to his needs will give your child the sense of security they need.
- Make it their choice: Once your child is older, the most effective way to curb the thumb-sucking habit is to let the choice to stop be their own. If your child is not willing, try again later. When they do decide to stop (and this may require some gentle and consistent encouragement on your part), allow them to have a say in what method they will use to break the habit.
- Take it one small step at a time: As with anything, it will be easier for your child if they can stop sucking their thumb gradually. Set some guidelines together. You may first decide they won’t suck their thumb during an activity such as story time. After a few days add another activity, until they have completely eliminated daytime thumb-sucking. Then move on to nighttime, which usually requires more time and effort. Your child may find it helpful to wear a sock over their hand as a reminder during the night.
- Keep them distracted: Throughout the day, engage your child in a way that requires them to use both hands. Try finger-painting, sculpting play-doh or jumping rope. If they are doing an activity that doesn’t require both hands, like watching television, keep their hands busy with something like a stress ball. Providing a healthy snack to munch on is another good option.
- Acknowledge their progress: Get your child involved by tracking their accomplishments through a progress chart. Let them pick a sticker to place on the board each time they meet a goal. You can also offer small rewards with each accomplishment, such as their favorite meal for dinner or an extra story at bedtime. And remember, encouraging words show your support and demonstrate to your child that such a big step is worth their effort.
Sources: ADA.org, AAPD.org, DrGreene.com
