As any parent knows the discussion of thumb sucking is a highly debated issue. No one expert can agree when is the right time to break the habit, why some children are more attached to thumb sucking then others, or even the exact steps to take to curb the habit. Much as it is with parenting; a lot of what you do has to be felt out and decided is this right for me and my child.
First know that thumb sucking is a natural occurrence. There are many sonograms taken each year that show children even in the womb sucking their thumb. Why this is doctors are not 100% sure. Yes sucking is a needed response for young children since they will need to use that instinct to feed but many children continue to suck their thumbs far past being weaned. Many doctors feel this is a soothing technique that children may use to calm themselves and reduce anxiety.
Knowing that thumb sucking is a natural occurrence in children does not stop the fact that it can have damaging effect on a child’s oral health. Damage to the jaw line, overbites, cross bites and shifted teeth can all be consequences of a child who engages in thumb sucking. What can you as a parent do to help your child overcome this habit and safeguard their oral health and growth?
Talk to your child’s pediatrician or pediatric dentist. Voice your concerns and take their advice into consideration. They can assess the age and development of your child and give you a general guide line of what steps you can take to start easing your child into a world without thumb sucking. Most pediatricians feel that thumb sucking up until age 2 or 3 is normal.
If you decide that it is indeed time to move your child away from thumb sucking here is a list of options available to you that can make the process easier for you.
1. Talk To Your Child About The Thumb Sucking
Children, even young children can understand acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Start by explaining that they are growing up and that although thumb sucking was exactable for them before it is now time to give it up. Point out that some of their favorite TV characters such as Dora or Elmo don’t suck their thumbs. Tell them that you understand that they are used to sucking their thumb but now you will start helping them to remember not to do it. This alone with some consistent reminders may be enough to break the habit.
2. Identify When The Habit Most Often Occurs
Does your child suck their thumb only at night or at nap time, when they argue with a sibling or is it an all-day habit? Knowing when your child is prone to thumb sucking can help you to better determine what approach to take to help them break the habit. If your child only sucks their thumb at sleep times perhaps you can offer them an alternative. Take them to the store and let them pick a special stuffed toy or extra soft blanket. Let them know that this special item is going to replace their thumb sucking habit. This way they feel like they are more in control of their environment and that they get some say in changing their habit.
3. Purchase Some Habit Breaking Aids
There are a slew of products available to parents to help them through this struggle. One of the more popular product that has successfully discourage nail biting and thumb sucking in both kids and adults is Mavala Stop
which make the thumb taste bitter and bad when sucked upon. For parents who do not want to have any bitter or foul tasting liquid paint on their child thumb, can try other aids such as the ThumbGuard approach. It uses a soft, flexible, non-toxic plastic tube to block direct access to their thumbs and break the pleasure of suction, thus breaking the habit.
4. Consistency Is Key
Remember consistency is key in breaking any bad habit and thumb sucking is no different. You can’t expect your child to give it up overnight and you as the parent will have to be watchful and diligent in reminding your child about what is expected of them. Don’t just remind them to stop sucking their thumb when you catch them in the act remember to also praise them when you notice they are not sucking their thumb. This is especially important when you notice they skipped a key time for them, for example if they didn’t suck their thumb to fall asleep or after they had an argument with a friend over a toy. Tell them how proud you are of them and this will encourage more of the same behavior.
For anyone who has ever had a habit to break we all know that it takes time and patience, helping our children to break a habit is no different. Just remember that any frustration you feel your child feels as well so try to remain calm and supportive and before you know it your child’s thumb sucking will be a thing of the past.
I was a thumb sucker well into Kindergarten and maybe even 1st grade. I found it to be a comfort thing. I used to try to hide it behind my other hand thinking nobody knew what I was doing. LOL!
My parents tried everything to get me to stop. They put that yucky tasting liquid on my thumbs but I learned if I sucked long enough, it would eventually wear off. They tried putting hot sauce on my thumbs and same thing - but I learned to develop a taste for spicy foods at a very young age! (So, parents be careful about that one…it got me to associate hot sauce with one of my favorite things to do. Not exactly a deterant.)
Eventually, I outgrew it on my own. I didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of my friends and they didn’t suck their thumbs. In the meantime though, it did cause an overbite one that I still have today.