About this topic
Sucking is a normal reflex and habit for babies and young children. Sucking on a thumb, finger, pacifier, or other object can help calm and comfort a young child. This is called non-nutritive sucking. This means your child does not get any nutrition from this kind of sucking. ‚
Your child may suck on a pacifier or the thumb to help fall asleep or as a way to focus their attention. Other times, your child may use sucking as a response to worry, anxiety, stress, or boredom. Sucking on a finger, thumb, or pacifier is an easy way for children to have instant comfort and security. You will want to keep this in mind as you work with your child to stop this habit. Before trying to stop your childs habit on your own, talk with their doctor and dentist. ‚
Most children will give up a pacifier or stop sucking the fingers or thumb at about 4 years old. Other children will keep up this habit for a longer time. It can be a problem if children spend a lot of time using a pacifier or sucking the fingers or thumb. Pacifier use most often stops before finger or thumb sucking. Your doctor or dentist may suggest you try to help your child stop a sucking habit by age 3. ‚
Using a pacifier or sucking on fingers or a thumb may also lead to: ‚
- Infections of the finger or nail
- Problems with chewing and speech
- Problems with how the teeth and jaws line up
Routine dental exams are important for your child. The dentist will check to see if your child is starting to have any problems with how the teeth or jaws line up. ‚
General
Tips to help your child stop a sucking habit: ‚
Getting Started: ‚
- Notice when your child sucks the thumb or wants a pacifier. Is your child tired? Bored? Anxious? Hungry?
- Try to get rid of or change the times and places where your child would often use a pacifier or suck the thumb.
- If your child often uses a pacifier while watching TV, read books instead.
- If your child likes to suck the thumb while in the car, play or sing lively music. Perhaps your child could clap, do hand motions, or hold someones hand instead.
- Talk to your child's caregivers and teachers. Ask them to work with you and your child in the quitting process.
- Talk to your child about stopping the pacifier or thumb habit. Teach your child that these habits are for babies and not for big kids.
- Show your child how the teeth or skin on the thumb or fingers is changing from the sucking habits.
- Involve your child in giving away pacifiers to babies or the Pacifier Fairy.
- Offer gentle reminders during the day. Try not to punish or embarrass your child.
- At night, offer your child a stuffed animal or extra cuddles instead of a pacifier.
- Praise your child for not thumbsucking or using a pacifier. Use a calendar or star chart or other types of positive reinforcement to track how your child is doing.
For Persistent Habits: ‚
- Throw away all pacifiers in the house.
- Put gloves, mittens, or bandages on your child's hands during sleep time.
- You can put a foul-tasting substance on your child's thumb to discourage your child from sucking it. You can buy this from your drug store.
- Talk with your child's doctor and dentist. The doctor or dentist may suggest a special tool for your child's mouth. This is most often used if your child is still sucking the thumb at age 7 or older.
- Your child may need to meet with an orthodontist if your child's sucking habit keeps up or causes the teeth and jaws to be out of line. Talk to your child's dentist if you have concerns.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry ‚
http://digital.ipcprintservices.com/publication/?m=17255&l=1 ‚
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www2.aap.org/ORALHEALTH/pact/ch8_sect1.cfm ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/crying-colic/pages/Pacifiers-and-Thumb-Sucking.aspx ‚
American Dental Association ‚
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/thumbsucking ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/five_habits.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚