How to Discourage Thumb Sucking

Children who suck their thumbs after around age 6 may become the target of teasing and criticism; they may also end up with dental and speech problems.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Stress Relief Products
• Crayons
• Tennis Balls
• Board Games
• Rubber Balls
• Toys

1. Wait for the problem to go away. Most children, but not all, outgrow the habit by the time their permanent teeth come in (about age 6). After this age, thumb sucking can cause dental and speech problems, but before then, many children still have a fairly strong impulse and need to suck.
2. Start to work on kicking the habit a little while before you expect your child's permanent teeth to come in. That way you can deal with it before it becomes a real problem.
3. Try to keep your child talking, which will make it hard for her to keep her thumb in her mouth.
4. Offer her activities to keep her hands busy: crayons or pencils and paper, squishy balls or toys to fiddle with, or models and puzzles to work on.
5. Consider working out a reward or praise system, using stickers and a chart or calendar.
6. Encourage your child with positive reminders that she is a big kid and that big kids don't need to suck their thumbs.
7. Explain to your child in simple terms why it is important for this habit to go away, and ask her to suggest a few possible solutions. Many children will come up with some creative possibilities.
8. Try putting a brightly colored adhesive bandage on your child's thumb as a reminder not to suck.
9. If your child sucks her thumb at night, consider having her wear a glove or sock on her hand while she sleeps.
10. Talk to your dentist, who may have helpful suggestions and who can also explain the dental consequences and options for treatment if thumb-sucking continues when the permanent teeth come in. Ask your dentist to have a talk with your child, if you think it will help.
11. Be patient with your child. Although thumb sucking is an unattractive habit, many children can't help themselves. Take the time your child needs to eliminate the habit gently and gradually, rather than criticizing or punishing.

Tips & Warnings

• Encourage your child to wash her hands frequently to avoid constant transfer of germs from her hands to her mouth.
• Take a look at your child's thumb. If it is callused or sore from sucking, she is almost certainly sucking it too much.
• Look for hidden stress in your child's life if she suddenly develops a thumb-sucking habit. Dealing with the source of the stress may eliminate the problem.