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Thumb-Sucking: Helping Your Child Stop

Table of Contents


Overview

Many babies and young children calm themselves by sucking their thumbs. While most children will stop on their own, some continue past the age of 4 or 5. Prolonged thumb-sucking can lead to dental and speech problems.

With lots of love, encouragement, and a few simple steps, you can help your child break their thumb-sucking habit. Here are some tips.

Remember this is your child's habit to break, and they must be willing to cooperate. Do not force your child to comply.

What if your child can't break the habit?

Some children have a more difficult time than others giving up thumb-sucking. It is important to use positive reinforcement during this process.

If your child is insecure, has any emotional problems, or is under stress and needs comforting, you may need to resolve those issues first before your child will succeed at stopping thumb-sucking.

If your child continues thumb-sucking, you may want to speak to a pediatrician or dentist to learn about devices (such as a thumb guard) that can be tried to prevent thumb-sucking.


Credits for Thumb-Sucking: Helping Your Child Stop

Current as of: October 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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