Anyone with a child knows they are born with the sucking reflex. Sucking is how a child seeks nutrients, whether breastfeeding or using a bottle. Young children can pacify themselves with pacifiers or other suckling toys in between feedings, which enables them to self-soothe. Children may switch from pacifiers to thumb-sucking at certain ages in another attempt to pacify or calm themselves.
Nearly 75% of all infants suck their thumbs or fingers during their first year. While they do this to self-soothe, thumb-sucking can also be instigated by boredom, sleepiness, or other factors. You may notice your thumb-sucker doing different things simultaneously, such as sucking on the edge of their blanket or curling a strand of hair.
Too much thumb-sucking can worry some parents, and many parents wonder when is the appropriate age for a child to discontinue the practice. While paediatricians can give you more information on a case-by-case basis, there are some tips for attempting to wean your child off of thumb-sucking on your own.
Problems with Thumb Sucking
Parents that worry about too much thumb-sucking have probably heard a mixture of urban myths and stories about the dangers of thumb-sucking. Still, there are issues with prolonged thumb sucking, as it can cause oral development problems.
Children who continue to suck their thumbs around age 5 or so might develop a skewed or abnormal bite because of the permanent teeth that are trying to come in. They can also develop an overbite, trouble making the “S” sound or other tip-of-the-tongue sounds, and overall developmental problems in the mouth area. Fixing oral issues is not simply cosmetic—the habit must also be kicked.
Minor thumb-sucking issues can appear as chapped skin and infections around the fingernails. There are extreme cases, but as the mouth is typically unclean, it can damage the prominent thumb-sucking hand.
Are Pacifiers Safe?
You might notice your baby’s thumb sucking at about 6 months of age. Thumb sucking is only worrisome if the habit continues into their post-toddler years, around age 4. Continued thumb sucking can have adverse oral effects, such as creating an improper alignment of the teeth or altering face shape in aggressive cases.
To deter early-onset thumb sucking, a pacifier may be used between feedings; however, remember not to use a pacifier to prevent or replace feedings. Your child wants the pacifier or thumb to continually self-soothe—it’s a safe way to satisfy their needs and give them some needed downtime.
If you notice your baby constantly sucking their thumb during nap time, it is safe for you to alternate with a pacifier. They may become fussy if they lose the pacifier while sleeping since they can’t replace it without your help. Still, this makes pacifiers safe, as any pacifier connected to a string or attached to the crib can become a dangerous hazard.
You can safely phase out the pacifier around age 2 when they have all their baby teeth.
How Do I Get My Child to Stop Sucking Their Thumb?
Depending on their age—especially if they are older—it’s a good idea to talk to them first. You will be more successful in any endeavour with your young one if you can make them understand that you are attempting to help them, which means any method you choose is something they are an active participant in.
If your child is thumb-sucking to seek attention, you can attempt to ignore the behaviour and see if it resolves itself. Sometimes the constant negative feedback only provokes actions in young children, and if they notice that you are responding, they might have a more challenging time breaking the habit.
- Attempt Positive Reinforcement: If your child is having a hard time, praise their efforts with small rewards, whether physical objects like toys or treats or simply trips to the store or the park. You can help them pick out or decorate a calendar with personalised stickers to get them to participate in going a certain amount of days without sucking their thumb.
- Look For What Might Be Triggering: Remember, thumb-sucking evolves out of a need to self-soothe. If your child is thumb-sucking at an advanced age, there might be deeper underlying issues causing the anxiety or stress triggers. Give them extra attention, extra hugs, additional kindnesses and nice words. See if you can let them pick out a new stuffed animal or find a new bedtime story. Talk to them, and listen to what they say.
- Be Gentle: Any attempts to dissuade your child from thumb-sucking should be made with absolute care. Please don’t yell at or attempt to scare them out of the behaviour, as it is already a trauma response. Use gentle reminders—do not let anyone in your household tease, scold, or belittle your child as a response to their thumb-sucking.
Don’t Panic, And Offer Support
While thumb sucking can be ultimately worrying and stressful for both parent and child, experts agree it’s important not to exacerbate the situation with your anxieties. These are tender developmental years, and it’s essential to offer patient guidance and support to your little one.
Remember, your local paediatric dentists can help immensely in this situation by offering advice and solutions. Seeking professional advice goes a long way, and you can schedule these sorts of consultations outside of regular dental exams and check-ups. Your child’s dentist might recommend a few oral fixes to break the habit if it has become too severe or if all else fails. Even when seeking the advice of a dental or orthodontic expert, remember to follow through with patience, love, and care.