How To Stop Thumb Sucking Habit In Your Child?

Does your child is having thumb sucking habit? Every parent is worried about thumb sucking.

Children suck their thumbs because it is comforting and calming.

Your child will give up this habit naturally by the age of four.

Children have probably practiced the habit of thumb sucking before they were born.

Now, whenever your child feels bored, tired, nervous, ill or scared start to suck the thumb. Children use their thumb to fall asleep at bedtime and to lull themselves back to sleep when they wake up in the middle of the night.Thumb Sucking

Don’t worry! You should not worry unless thumb sucking habit continues after the age their permanent teeth begin to appear, around six years old. Some children stop their habit on their own without the help of a parent.

Most children suck their thumb safely without damaging alignment of the teeth or jaws until their permanent teeth begin to appear. Not all children sucking the thumb are equally damaging.

Intensity of thumb sucking! According to the experts, it is the intensity of the thumb sucking and the tongue’s thrust that deforms teeth and makes braces necessary later. Children who suck their thumb aggressively have difficulty than children who rest their thumb passively in their mouth.

Watch your child closely. If your child sucks the thumb vigorously, you have to restrict the habit earlier.

Try to wait! Children give up thumb sucking when they find other ways to calm and comfort themselves. You have to offer other alternatives to divert your child from thumb sucking.

You can offer lullaby toy or soft blankets. You can discourage the habit of thumb sucking by giving your child attention and understanding.

No punishment! Punishment won’t stop your child from thumb sucking because it is an automatic process. If you pressure your child to stop, it intensifies the desire to do it even more.

If you keep elastic bandage to the thumb, it is like an unfair punishment since they indulge in the habit for comfort and security.

Notice! You have to identify when and where your child is sucking the thumb and offer an alternative to the child. If your child is sucking the thumb while watching television, distract your child with a toy that will keep hands occupied. If thumb sucking happens while they are tired, try giving more naps.

Reminders! If your child is older, you have to remind gently curb thumb sucking while in public. Praise should be given when your child finds and uses other alternative. You can consult the child’s pediatrician to help your child kick the thumb sucking habit.

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