Is thumb-sucking normal?
Thumb-sucking is normal in babies and young children. A natural
sucking instinct leads some babies to suck their thumbs during
their first few months of life, or even before birth. Babies may
also suck on their fingers, hands, or items such as pacifiers.
Why do babies suck their thumbs?
Babies have a natural urge to suck, which usually decreases after
the age of 6 months. But many babies continue to suck their thumbs
to soothe themselves. Thumb-sucking can become a habit in babies
and young children who use it to comfort themselves when they feel
hungry, afraid, restless, quiet, sleepy, or bored.
Most infants suck their thumbs. Toddlers suck their thumbs too.
Little by little, most children stop on their own between ages 3
and 6.
Does thumb-sucking cause any problems?
Prolonged thumb-sucking may cause a child to develop dental
problems. Thumb-sucking can cause a child's teeth to become
improperly aligned (malocclusion) or push the teeth outward,
sometimes malforming the roof (upper palate) of the mouth.
Malocclusion usually corrects itself when the child stops
thumb-sucking. But the longer thumb-sucking continues, the more
likely it is that orthodontic treatment will be needed to correct
any resulting dental problems.
A child may also develop speech problems, including mispronouncing
Ts and Ds, lisping, and thrusting out the tongue when talking.
At what point does thumb-sucking become a problem?
Thumb-sucking in children younger than 4 is usually not a problem.
Children who suck their thumbs frequently or with great intensity
after the age of 4 or 5 or those who continue to suck their thumbs
after age 5 are at risk for dental or speech problems.
In rare cases, thumb-sucking after age 5 is in response to an
emotional problem or other disorder, such as anxiety. A child with
this type of problem needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Most other
children stop sucking their thumbs after simple treatment measures
are introduced.
How is problem thumb-sucking treated?
Many experts recommend ignoring thumb-sucking in a child who is
preschool age or younger. Most young children stop sucking their
thumbs on their own.
Children who suck their thumbs may need treatment when they:
Also pull their hair, especially when they are between 12 and 24
months of age.
Continue to suck a thumb often or with great intensity after the
age of 4 or 5.
Ask for help to stop the behavior.
Develop dental or speech problems as a result of the behavior.
Feel embarrassed or are teased or shamed by other people because
of the behavior.
Usually, treatment can be done at home and includes parents
setting rules and providing distractions. It may be helpful to
limit the times and places that your child is allowed to suck his
or her thumb and to put away blankets or other items your child
associates with thumb-sucking. Offering praise and rewards for not
thumb-sucking may also help your child break the habit. As your
child matures, usually around age 5, he or she may be able to take
a more active role in treatment.
Talk to your child openly about the effects of thumb-sucking.
Put gloves on your child's hands or wrap the thumb with an
adhesive bandage or a cloth. Explain that the glove, bandage, or
cloth is not a punishment but is only there to remind him or her
not to thumb-suck.
Develop a reward system, such as putting stickers on a calendar
or otherwise recording each day that your child does not suck his
or her thumb. After an agreed-upon number of days, have a
celebration for your child.
Use a special nontoxic, bitter-tasting nail coating, such as Thum. Apply it like fingernail polish to the thumbnail each
morning, before bed, and whenever you see your child sucking his
or her thumb. This treatment is most successful when it is
combined with a reward system.
Growing Stronger, Growing
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Global Health
Healthcare Provider
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