9 Easy Ways to Wean Your Baby From Thumb Sucking

Babies learn thumb sucking while inside the womb. And once they come out into the world, it is where they turn to when they seek comfort. Babies suck thumb or finger when they want to sleep, to calm down, or to just feel good.

Thumb or finger sucking is normal for the first few months of life. And it does not affect any development of the child. However, up to what age is finger sucking acceptable? And how soon should you control their sucking?

What Happens If A Child Would Not Stop

According to the pediatric dentist, Mary Hayes, a child normally develops coping skills from ages 2 to 4 that replaces thumb sucking. But some kids could not give up thumb sucking, which later on affects their growing mouths.

Previously, adults thought that there is nothing to worry about as long as the child outgrows thumb sucking before they develop permanent teeth. However, Hayes said that thumb sucking can have an impact even at a younger age. 

Hayes said that sucking puts pressure on the sides of the upper jaw, making it narrow, and in return, it causes the upper and lower teeth to not meet properly. And although it can be fixed with braces, speech problems such as lisp can most probably occur. 

Some parents would resort to pacifiers in replacement to thumb. However, even if it would be easier to break their attachment to pacifiers, it can affect teeth development just the same. 

How to Wean Thumb Sucking

Most children stop sucking by 6 or 7 months of age or between ages 2 to 4. But sometimes even if they gave the habit up, they tend to suck thumb again when they are under stress. Once your child reaches preschool age, most parents are pressured to remove their thumb-sucking habit. Forcing a child to stop is not the most successful way. 

A family psychologist, Jenn Berman, said that adults do not realize that children feel the anxiety growing up. And thumb sucking is the only way for children to relieve themselves. So if your child will soon be attending his preschool and is still thumb sucking, here are the ways to wean your baby off thumb sucking

Limit the time

Try to limit your child's thumb sucking activity. Explain to him that it can be done when he is trying to sleep at night or nap in the afternoon.

Talk about thumb sucking

Talk to your child about thumb sucking. Tell him that you will be there to help if he is ready to stop. This will empower them to stop. 

Practice Self Awareness

When your child is doing the deed, tell him to make him aware of this habit, and help him find another habit - you may give him a blanket or any stuffed animal that he loves.

Help Him Understand

You may use their favorite superhero or cartoon character to tell them that their idols do not suck thumbs. This will make them want to stop thumb sucking. 

Do Not Criticize

Kids do better when they are being praised. Try to praise your child when he is not sucking. You will notice them slowly giving up thumb sucking.

Do Not Prohibit When It is Needed

Let your child suck when he needs to be comforted. If you try to take it away, it might cause more trauma. 

Do Not Use Nasty Tasting Stuff

Other parents apply nasty tasting stuff to their kid's thumb to stop them from sucking. It is too cruel, said Berman. 

Do Not Give Gloves or Mittens as Substitute

Giving gloves or mittens to suck will just frustrate a child more resulting to more thumb sucking. 

Others Automatically Outgrow Thumb Sucking

Sometimes, a child would outgrow thumb sucking in his own pace, and it would be best not to control him at the moment. Here's why.

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