How to Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb

It is possible that your child began sucking their thumb in the womb as early as 30 weeks gestation. When an infant or young child is nervous, self-soothing, or has trouble falling asleep, they will pop their finger or thumb in their mouth. Although it is not harmful, it might be easier to break the habit by using a pacifier instead.  

A child begins to develop other coping strategies by 2 or 4 if thumb-sucking is used as a coping strategy. Thumb-sucking issues and pacifier-sucking issues can arise during the preschool years if the behavior continues. This practice can negatively affect the mouth and speech if the child doesn’t naturally give it up. Often, it is difficult for a child to break a habit like thumb sucking. Learn how to help your child stop sucking their thumbs.

Satisfy Sucking Needs

During the first few months of infancy, allow your “sucky baby” to suck away. Make sure to breastfeed during cued times. Sucking your fingers is a great way to bond with your baby. Sucking, which is not nutritional, should follow the baby’s full-blown hunger.

Introduce an alternative to sucking early

Rather than pacifying a child with an intense sucking urge, think about alternatives. Try rocking, massage, animation, and singing. The younger the baby is exposed to alternatives to breastmilk, bottles, thumbs, or pacifiers, the sooner he will become accustomed to alternatives to oral gratification.

Engage Thumbs

Little thumbs, bored with nothing else to do, seek the company of their mouth when they’re bored. Try distracting and redirecting your child when he or she starts to reach for the mouth with the thumb.

Display and Tell

Thumbsucking hurts your child’s teeth if he is old enough to understand thumbsucking. Let your child hold up his index finger in front of a mirror and press it into the gap between his two upper teeth when he bites. Show your child the results of thumbsucking teeth by imitating buck teeth (like Bugs Bunny). Your child should also be made aware that one of her thumbs is sucked and the other is not.

Set Reminders

Tape or adhesive bandages can be used on the thumb in thumbsuckers over four. Thumb suckers can be discouraged by wearing gloves at night. Discuss with your child the use of paint on the thumb that delivers a stinging sensation when the thumb meets the lips. Having his thumb and habit painted on himself is good for his development.

Competing Habits

You can use the competing habit principle if the child is over four. Make your child think of other ways than sucking his thumb instead of folding his arms or squeezing his thumb. If it’s a bedtime habit, suggest hiding the thumb under the pillow. 

Is there a risk if nothing works?

It can be extremely difficult for some kids to break the habit of thumb sucking. Take a deep breath, and don’t worry. You may delay the process by putting too much pressure on your child to stop thumb sucking. 

Visiting the dentist can help you determine whether thumb sucking can cause dental problems for your child. Kids may find it more effective to talk to their dentist about thumb sucking than to talk to their parents.