Posted on March 17, 2008 in Latest News
Babies suck their thumbs for comfort. They even suck on the breast or the feeding bottle. The habit begins at 3 months and usually carries on past 1 year or 2 years of age. Sometimes, it may go on till 3 to 4 years of age. But if it carries on till the permanent teeth are about to arrive, it creates dental problems. The teeth formation may get affected. The thumb- sucking habit needs to be got rid of before the child enters school, or else he or she will face ridicule. How to break the habit?
Tips to Break Thumb-sucking Habits in Child
- Distract the child. He or she may be bored and therefore sucks the thumb
- Ignore it, as it is normal to do so before 4 years. If the child is stressed, tired, or sick it is better not to take note of the thumb-sucking
- One can use a pacifier
- Praise the child for not sucking the thumb
- If it persists, then you can show how the front and lower teeth are getting affected by the thumb sucking
- Warn him or her of peer group ridicule
- Let the child notice how the skin on the thumb is getting affected
- Assist the child in overcoming the frustrations felt in breaking the habit. Limit environment that causes thumb-sucking. Some children may thumb suck, while watching television. Control their watching
- You can place a band-aid bandage on the thumb as a reminder of the thumb-sucking. Only the child should approve of it
- You can remind the child when he or she sucks the thumb. Cajole him or her and make her avoid thumb- sucking
- Parents also should seek cooperation from the child to break the thumb- sucking habit at sleep time. A reminder, acceptable to the child, can be used, like a glove etc.
- You can reward the child whenever he or she does not suck
- If the child is above 5 years of age, then you can remove the thumb from the mouth. Do not scold or slap him or her
One should be patient in breaking the habit of thumb- sucking in a child. The child gradually outgrows it, but sometimes he or she may need some help. Parents should appreciate and understand the child’s need to suck the thumb. One can also take the help of the physician to help the child overcome the habit.
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