Why do some children suck their thumbs?
Babies have natural rooting and sucking reflexes, which can cause them to put their thumbs or fingers into their mouths — sometimes even before birth. Because thumb sucking makes babies feel secure, some might eventually develop a habit of thumb sucking when they're in need of soothing or going to sleep. Kids suck their thumbs because it's comforting and calming. Your toddler probably practiced this habit while she was still in the womb and perfected it as an infant.
Now she turns to her thumb when she's tired, scared, bored, sick, or trying to adjust to challenges such as starting daycare or preschool. She may also use her thumb to help her fall asleep at bedtime and to put herself back to sleep when she wakes up in the middle of the night.
How long does thumb sucking usually last?
Many children stop sucking their thumbs on their own sometime during the toddler years — between ages 2 and 4. For older kids who continue to suck their thumbs, peer pressure at school usually ends the habit.
Though, even a child who's stopped sucking his or her thumb might revert to the behaviour when he or she is stressed or anxious.
What can I do to encourage my child to stop thumb sucking?
a. Don't worry too much. Most children can safely suck their thumb – without damaging the alignment of their teeth or jaws – until their permanent teeth begin to appear. Not all thumb-sucking is equally damaging; experts say it's the intensity of the sucking and the tongue's thrust that deforms teeth and makes braces necessary later. Kids who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have dental problems than children who suck aggressively.
Observe your child's technique. If she sucks vigorously, you may want to begin curbing her habit earlier, say around age 4. If you notice any changes in her mouth or teeth, or if you're unsure whether your child's thumb-sucking is causing problems, consult your dentist.
If your child's thumb becomes red and chapped from sucking, try applying a moisturizer while she's sleeping. (If you apply it when she's awake, it may just end up in her mouth.)
b. Let it go. Punishing your preschooler or nagging her to get her thumb out of her mouth won't help because she probably doesn't even realize she's doing it. Methods such as putting an elastic bandage on her thumb will seem like punishment, especially because she indulges in the habit for comfort and security. Plus, pressuring her to stop may intensify her desire to do it even more.
c. Try to wait it out. Children usually give up thumb-sucking when they find other ways to calm and comfort themselves. If your child tends to suck her thumb when she's hungry, for instance, she'll soon learn to simply open the fridge and look for something to eat or ask you for a snack instead.
d. Use positive reinforcement. Praise your child or provide small rewards — such as an extra bedtime story or a trip to the park — when he or she isn't thumb sucking. Place stickers on a calendar to record the days when your child successfully avoids thumb sucking.
e. Identify triggers. If your child sucks his or her thumb in response to stress, identify the real issue and provide comfort in other ways — such as a hug or reassuring words. You might also give your child a pillow or stuffed animal to squeeze.
f. Replace thumb-sucking with other activities. If you can identify the times and places when your preschooler is most likely to suck her thumb – while watching television, for instance – consider distracting her with a substitute activity, such as a rubber ball to squeeze or finger puppets to play with.
If she tends to suck her thumb when she's tired, you could try letting her nap longer or making some changes in her bedtime. Or if she turns to her thumb when she's frustrated, help her put her feelings into words.
What if nothing works?
For some children, thumb sucking is an incredibly difficult habit to break. Remember, though, peer pressure typically leads kids to stop daytime sucking habits on their own when they start school.
In the meantime, try not to worry. Putting too much pressure on your child to stop thumb sucking might only delay the process.
Try to keep little thumbs busy.
Bored little thumbs and fingers often find their way into the mouth. As soon as you see the thumb going toward the mouth, quickly distract your child into a hands-on activity or insert a toy into both hands.
a. offer a substitute
Tell your child: "When you feel like sucking your thumb, squeeze your thumb instead of sucking it." Or play the game of hide the thumb: "As soon as you feel like sucking your thumb, wrap your fingers around your thumb and hide it.” Or, offer substitutes as discussed before.
b. let the thumb rest at night
The most severe cases of overbite occur in those who strongly suck their thumbs throughout the night. Discourage her from going to sleep when sucking her thumb, as she will tend to revert back to this comfortable sucking habit when she wakes up.
Some other tips:
* Give her a teddy bear that's so big she'll have to wrap her hands around it.
* Put her to bed with her hands occupied with a book or toy.
* Set up alternative sleep-inducing props, such as lullabies and music. Make a medley of you singing your child's favourite sleep-inducing lullabies, and let it continuously play throughout the night. If your child is comfortable going to bed with this music, she is more likely to resettle with the music rather than her thumb when she wakes up.
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