WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Thumb or finger sucking is common in children. A child's
need to suck is very strong during the first 6 months; and
thumb sucking may start anytime from birth to 3 months of age.
Usually, the child will drop the habit by the time he or she
turns 4; but some children continue until they start
school.
Thumb sucking is not a sign of emotional problems. In
fact, unless it makes the child unhappy, you need not worry
about it. However, if it continues past 7 years it can lead to
long-term tooth problems.
Causes
All children are born with a need to suck in order to
receive nourishment. However, we do not know why some children
are more prone to thumb sucking than
others.
Care
The best way for you to deal with thumb sucking is to
ignore it. Medicines, reminders, and rewards may help break the
habit. Punishment is not effective.
WHAT YOU SHOULD
DO
-
If your child is younger than
4 years:
-
-
A pacifier may divert the
child from thumb sucking.
-
If the child is bored,
give him or her something to do with his hands. Praise
the child for not sucking. Punishment may result in
even more sucking.
-
If your child is 4 years or
older:
-
-
Ask the child if it's OK
to say something when he or she starts sucking. Praise
the youngster for not sucking. Even if the child has
been sucking, praise any sign of
stopping.
-
When the child avoids
sucking, give a special reward at the end of the day.
For example, read another bedtime story or hand out a
snack. You may want to use a penny, nickel, or a dime
as a reward. Put a star on a calendar each day the
child avoids sucking.
-
If your youngster agrees,
put sour-tasting over-the-counter medicine on the thumb
or finger. However, do not use the medicine as a
punishment. Let the child put the medicine on the thumb
or finger before breakfast, before bed, or before any
favorite sucking time.
-
Tell the dentist that your
child is thumb or finger sucking. If the youngster is 7 or
8 years old, he may put a bar in the upper part of the
mouth to prevent the child from sucking.
-
Never pull the thumb out of
your youngster's mouth.
-
Do not complain about the
habit in front of the child.
-
Do not scold, slap the
child's hands, or do anything to punish him or her for
sucking.
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