How to Wean Off Thumbsucking in Children, According to Pediatricians

Many parents will agree that it can be extra challenging to wean off thumbsucking in children. While it helps with their sucking reflexes and provides some form of comfort and security, it's important to break this habit when they are beyond 2 years old.

When the teeth start to form or when they are learning to talk and develop speech, then thumbsucking will be a problem for the children. Most kids will usually stop the habit on their own but there are others who will need more help and encouragement from their parents.

Here are just some advice from the experts on how to wean off thumbsucking in children.

Aim for a gradual change.

Dr. Harvey Karp said via Kidspot that starting small and aiming for a gradual change, or baby steps, may make the goal of breaking the thumbsucking habit more attainable. If it's possible, Karp said to restrict the habit "timeslot by timeslot," meaning this does not have to be pulled under the rug on the first day of weaning off.

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For instance, parents can tell their kids that they can only suck on their thumb if they are going to bed at night and not during their afternoon naps or even in public.

Talk to the child about the consequences.

Children between the ages of 3 and 4 years old may be made aware of the consequences of thumbsucking on their teeth's development. Parents need to talk to them about its impact in a way that they could grasp how this habit is bad.

For instance, the parent may point out to the child that thumbsucking may make their teeth and their smile crooked. Karp suggested parents enlist the help of their family dentist if they are struggling to explain this to their kids.

Parents may also ask their children why they are still thumbsucking to make them self-aware. If they are not sure why it could open the chance for the family to find other soothing coping mechanisms.

Tell the child you'll be there to help.

Dr. Jenn Berman said via WebMD that parents should let their kids know that they are there to help when they feel like they want to stop the habit. The point is to empower the children to decide and open up about this decision.

Dr. Robert Anderson, on the other hand, said that this should not become a confrontational situation. Instead, parents should hold off on the criticisms and instead praise their children if they finally resist the urge to suck on their thumb. Never even attempt to put hand gloves on the kids as this will just lead to frustrations and arguments.

Try to turn it into a game.

Kids thrive on competition and enjoy tasks that are turned into games. Try to come up with creative and fun ways to wean this off so that the child will be more motivated to aim for this goal.

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