Thumb sucking in babies

Babies have an ardent fascination of sucking their thumbs, consciously or not. Thumb sucking soothes them and it is completely normal for every baby to do so.

Thumb sucking makes your child feel safe and protected. They might do it while falling asleep. 

This habit might last between the age of 6 months till the age of 4.It is important as their parents to slowly start to stop them from the habit of thumb sucking as they grow up as it can cause dental problems in the long run. 

Strategies to help your child to quit their thumb sucking habits:

1- Positive reinforcements 

Learn to reward your child or praise them when they listen to you and are not thumb sucking. You can set realistic goals by asking them not to do it while they take an afternoon nap or are playing.When you praise them for not doing it, it will motivate them to do better and eventually they might stop doing this habit altogether.

2- Triggers 

There are certain situations that might trigger your child to suck their thumb in response. 

As parents you can take a note to check these type of situations that stresses them out. 

When these stressful situations come up, you can teach your kid other calming methods that they can adapt instead of thumb sucking.

3- Reminders

You can gently remind them when they suck their thumb unconsciously or consciously so that they stop doing it.

By talking to them gently without scolding them, they might stop doing it eventually. 

4- Nail polish

You can apply a bitter nail polish on their thumb so that they are not able to suck it anymore.

The bitter nail polish tastes bad when they put their thumb into their mouths and will instantly remind them not to suck it.

5- Finger guard

There are certain finger guards or hand gloves available in the market that you can put on their hands so that they stop thumb sucking.

These finger guards are chemical proof and childproof so that they pose no danger to your child and they won’t be able to remove it on their own.

6- Visual reminders

You can put a tape around their thumb to remind them not to suck on their thumb. 

Another way to visually remind them is to show and read them children’s books and point out their favourite characters who don’t suck their thumbs so that your child gets motivated to stop doing it also. 

If you want to check out some interesting books online that you can buy for your baby then do check out lilamigosnest. 

7- Dentist

One of the best ways for your child to stop this habit is to take them to a dentist so that they can talk to a  dentist and learn about the disadvantages of this habit.

The dentist can show them pictures of what happens to people who thumb suck regularly. 

Conclusion 

Every baby is born with an intense desire to suck as it comes in handy when they have to eat from their mother’s breast or a baby bottle. 

They find this sucking sensation to be soothing and thumb sucking can become their way to self soothe. 

We hope this article has helped you to find various strategies to help your child to stop their thumb sucking habit. 

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