Help your child kick the thumb-sucking habit

Is your child still sucking their thumb at age three, four, or five? Relax, mom and dad. Your child is not going to college sucking their thumb. However, it may indeed be a good idea to assist your child in breaking the habit at some point. And if you’ve decided that now is the time to stop, here’s how.

Start a conversation

Some children just do not comprehend that sucking their thumb is a bad habit they should break. In a curious rather than condemning tone, ask your child why they suck their thumb. Does it make them happy? Do they even realise what they’re doing? Is there anything else your child can do to feel just as happy (like holding a teddy or counting slowly to three)?

Use a bitter nail polish

A bad-tasting lacquer put onto your child’s fingers can dissuade a thumb sucker, which is also a tactic employed for aggressive nail biters. However, some specialists do not encourage this strategy because it is not the most pleasant way to break your child’s habit.

Examine your child’s thumb-sucking habits

If your child only sucks their thumb before night, they may just require another technique to unwind and prepare for sleep. You may try offering your child a warm cup of milk or a toddler-safe herbal tea before brushing their teeth at night. If you notice them putting their thumb in their mouth whenever they are nervous, angry, or unhappy, assist them in finding another coping method, such as a mindfulness practice, to replace the thumb sucking.

Provide incentives and rewards

Reward systems can be tricky: they don’t work for all children, and even when they do, they can be difficult to phase out. Nonetheless, some children are strongly motivated by a visual depiction of their achievement (such as stickers or little tokens) as well as the possibility to win prizes, or privileges, for each day they go without sucking their thumb.

Invest in a finger guard

Many kits are available online that are designed to physically prevent your child from sucking their thumb. Some are made of plastic, while others resemble flexible gloves. On the plus side, they’re chemical-free and mostly childproof, so your child won’t be able to take them off. The disadvantage is that they are quite visible and can make it difficult for your child to use their hand for playing or feeding themself.

Make rules or set boundaries

Telling your child that they can only suck their thumb in bed or when watching TV is a smart method to gradually phase out the habit without turning it into a power struggle.

Try role-playing

Use your child’s favourite stuffed animal or toy to your advantage! Assume Teddy wants to quit sucking his thumb. Inquire whether your youngster can assist Teddy by setting a good example and making suggestions.

Take them to the dentist

Your child may require a little nudge from someone other than you (don’t take it personally) to permanently break the thumb-sucking habit. Make a dentist appointment and ask the professional to chat with your child about how to care for their mouth and teeth.