All babies will look for things to suck with their mouths for comfort. The instinct of sucking is completely normal for a child. It allows them to feed from a breast or bottle, and it soothes their senses as they adjust to their new environment outside of the womb. 

When they grow older, they will eventually learn to self-soothe and look for other external comfort sources. Sometimes, they develop an attachment to a bottle or a pacifier or even turn to thumbsucking to self-soothe. 

While thumbsucking is not ideal, it is normal. It is a habit that children should be able to move on at three years old. Beyond this stage, they are prone to developing dental issues like a misaligned bite or crooked teeth. Intervening early and breaking the thumbsucking habit sooner can help your child avoid these problems. Here are several ways you can help your child break the thumbsucking habit:

Replace the source of comfort

All children long for comfort. As infants, you will calm your child by feeding, bathing, and cuddling them. As toddlers, you can use other sources, but they still need comfort nonetheless. Observe your child and determine what other things calm him or her down in times of distress. Perhaps they need to be held, or they can cling to a stuffed animal. Recognize that thumbsucking is a sign that they are feeling unwell, and you need to find a healthy way to address their negative emotions.

Distract them in stressful situations

When your child is feeling stressed or frustrated, this is when they revert to thumb sucking. You can teach them to verbalize their emotions and ask you for help with soothing measures. If they are hungry or tired, encourage them to say it, so that you can respond appropriately. When their emotions are running high, calm them down with hugs and cuddles, take them on a short walk outside, or listen to calming music.

Praise, don’t punish your child

Positive reinforcement is another way to help your child develop new habits and let go of old ones. Speak words of encouragement when they stop themselves from sucking. Tell them that they are doing a good job, and offer them a non-food prize for stopping. You can give them a sticker for every day they go without thumbsucking. You might also promise a visit to a local indoor playground if they can go a week or two without their bad habit.

Talk about it openly with your child

Don’t underestimate what your young child can understand when you explain to them why they need to stop thumbsucking. Talk about the problem with them and explain to them that it can damage their teeth and cause oral issues if they continue. Your trusted pediatric dentist can help show them the effects by using a visual aid or a jaw model in their clinic.

Don’t despair if your child can’t seem to shake the thumbsucking habit even with your intervention. The key to changing your young child’s behavior is to be consistent with your approach. If you allow them to suck on their thumbs one day, but prevent them the next, this can lead to confusion and stress for both you and your child. 

Remember that all children are different, and they will develop at varying rates. You can support their healthy development by giving your child positive and age-appropriate alternatives. Stick to your commitment to stopping the thumbsucking, and work towards replacing the negative habits with positive ones. 

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