Thumb Sucking
Q: How do I break my 3-year-old daughter of sucking her thumb?
Affinity's medical expert is Dr. Kevin Gentile, a pediatrician with the Affinity Medical Group pediatric clinic in the Town of Menasha.
A: Thumb sucking is a natural comfort instinct for infants and toddlers. About 70 to 90 percent of infants suck their thumbs, and it generally peaks by age 2. If a child continues to thumb suck at age 4 or 5, dental problems may occur.
Most children stop thumb sucking on their own. Older children who continue to thumb suck may be experiencing boredom, anxiety or emotional problems like depression.
There is no fool-proof way to stop your daughter from thumb sucking, but there are a number of different strategies you can try:
-- Develop a reward system, such as putting stickers on a calendar or otherwise recording each day that your child does not suck her thumb. After an agreed-upon number of days, have a celebration for your child.
-- Praise your daughter for not sucking her thumb.
-- Talk to her about the effects of sucking her thumb.
-- Try using gloves or wrap the thumb with an adhesive bandage or a cloth. Explain that the glove, bandage or cloth is not a punishment but is only there to remind her not to thumb suck.
-- Talk to your daughter’s doctor about using a thumb guard or if dental appliances may be necessary.
Your daughter may not stop sucking her thumb immediately. But with a little patience, encouragement and enthusiasm to try a new approach, your daughter will be on her way to breaking the habit.
