Help Your Child Break the Habit of Thumb Sucking

The habit of thumb sucking in older children is quite embarrassing for parents. Try on these tips to help your child stop thumb sucking habit and prevent future problems.Thumb sucking is one of the habits kids have that is difficult to break. If your preschooler is finding it difficult to kick this habit you should help her do that. You must learn how you can help your child stop sucking his thumb.Thumb sucking is one such common habit among kids that can be found in many of the preschoolers. The habit takes its place in nature unknowingly and starts just to get some comfort and entertainment when kids feel bored. Although, experts are of the opinion that kids get rid of this habit with time, parents get worried when their 5 year old still sucks her thumb. In this articleReasons Behind Thumb Sucking Habit of KidsWhen Should Parents Intervene?Tips to Help Child Stop Thumb SuckingOffer Positive SupportFigure Out the CauseRemind Your Child With a Private CodeTalk to the DentistReasons Behind Thumb Sucking Habit of KidsInfants have the habit of sucking naturally because it is important for their survival. This causes them to put their thumb or fingers into their mouth. Since this habit is soothing for infants, they tend to opt for this often and hence this turns into a habit till the time they become toddlers. They start sucking thumb when they feel bored, tired or uneasy. Many children suck their thumb while holding something specific in their other hand.When Should Parents Intervene?It is believed that thumb sucking goes off automatically when the child turns 2 or last by 4. But if your child is more than 4 years of age and still sucks her thumb, you need to intervene. However, it is very important you provide proper support to your child and help her get rid of this habit.You need to take some steps if,Your child is more than 4 or 5 and sucks her thumb aggressively or nervouslyYour child feels embarrassed about thumb suckingIf thumb sucking is causing speech or dental problems in your childTips to Help Child Stop Thumb SuckingLet us take a look at some tips for helping children stop the habit of thumb sucking.Offer Positive SupportOffer your child rewards that are healthy and match with your child’s interests. You can take her out in the park or give her some extra time to play with her close friend if she avoids sucking thumb for a specific period of time.Figure Out the CauseYour child must be sucking her thumb due to some reason. If you figure out that you can easily help your child break this habit.Remind Your Child With a Private CodeIf your child unknowingly takes her thumb in her mouth especially when she is in public, make some sign with your hand so that she understands and takes out her hand from mouth immediately.Talk to the DentistSometimes a simple chat with the dentist might work and your child might get rid of the habit of thumb sucking.Since thumb sucking is a self-soothing act, taking out the thumb out of your child’s mouth each time she takes in is not enough. You will have to work on different strategy so that she gets rid of the urge to suck her thumb. Remember, if you try to compel your child to stop the habit, it might backfire and all your effort will go in vain. So, if you are trying to help your child break this habit, you have to be there with support and guidance.You need not pull your child’s hand each time from his mouth or reprimand or nag your child. Experts are of the opinion that children above 5 also want to get rid of this habit because they feel embarrassed as this often leads to teasing, but they need help and support for that.How do children get into the habit of thumb sucking? What are ill effects of thumb sucking habit? How to help kids break thumb sucking habit? Discuss here.