How To Stop Thumb Sucking Easily?
Most children around six months of age suck their thumbs. They find pleasure in placing everything they can lay their hands on into their mouth.
This oral phase of their emotional development is normal and lasts for a few months. Most babies stop doing it when they become toddlers.
However, some particularly shy children continue to suck their thumb. Some resort to thumb sucking when they feel insecure, for example, when going to bed or feeling frightened.
They find it soothing, as with holding tight their stuffed teddy bear or the bed sheet. A few children who had earlier given up thumb sucking resume it when faced with a new insecure situation like the birth of a sibling, going to a new kindergarten school or the arrival of unfamiliar guests in the house.
Thumb sucking by a child up to 6 years (the stage of temporary teeth) is not serious. If the habit persists after that age the alignment of permanent teeth can be affected resulting in their permanent deformity. Such deformities would need specialized and prolonged orthodontic treatment.
Thumb sucking by your child largely signifies a sense of insecurity felt by him. Be patient. You would need to persist with your efforts to slowly wean him off this habit. Do not try to punish him. Avoid scolding him or making fun of him by calling him a ‘little baby’ in front of others. Be prepared for some setbacks in his progress. Stress the positive and praise him when he stops sucking for a while. You should first aim for free intervals during the day. Thumb sucking at night or when alone may pass off over a longer period.
About This Post