When pacifiers are taken away, some children turn to thumb or finger sucking as a way to self-soothe. These behaviors are closely connected as they serve similar purposes of comfort, emotional regulation, and stress relief. Whether your child has already begun sucking their thumb after pacifier removal or you’re concerned that they might in the future, understanding the connection between the two behaviors can help you prevent habit formation.
Why do parents use pacifiers in the first place?
There are several key reasons the parents often give infants pacifiers. Pacifiers are often used to soothe fussy babies, satisfy their sucking instinct, help them fall asleep, and reduce pain from routine medical care. There is even evidence that pacifiers reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
What are the downsides of pacifier use?
According to WebMD, pacifiers should be phased out after the age of 6 months to prevent negative side effects (Sachdev). Overusing pacifiers, particularly for toddlers, can lead to dental problems in the same way prolonged thumb-sucking can affect a child’s mouth and jaw and lead to crooked or misaligned teeth. Pacifiers are also thought to interfere with a newborn’s development of proper breastfeeding ability.
Most pediatricians and breastfeeding coaches will discourage pacifier use until breastfeeding is well established. Ultimately, finding a healthy balance will allow both parent and baby to enjoy the benefits of pacifiers without the potential drawbacks.
The Pacifier Removal Process
Weaning a baby off their pacifier is a gradual process that can take anywhere from several days to several weeks depending on the age of the child, their emotional readiness, and how parents approach substitutes.
During the weaning process, parents can expect:
- Increased fussiness or crying as the baby loses their go-to comfort tool
- Sleep disruptions if the pacifier was part of their sleep routine
- Increased clinginess as the baby seeks comfort from their caregiver
- Seeking alternative comfort methods such as thumb and finger sucking, comfort objects, or increased bottle feeding and nursing
When should parents be concerned?
While most of these behaviors are typical during the weaning process, parents should watch for sleep and mood disruptions that last longer than 2 weeks, aggressive thumb and finger sucking, irritation or redness on hands, or a baby not finding other ways to self-soothe. If your child is exhibiting these behaviors, you should reach out to a pediatrician about the best ways to help.
Why do infants suck on their thumb or fingers after pacifier removal
After removing the pacifier, some babies may turn to thumb or finger sucking. Here are the most common reasons this occurs:
Comfort and Security
Infants often suck their thumb or fingers to provide comfort. This behavior is instinctual and provides a pleasurable, calming sensation.
Rooting Instinct
Babies have a biological instinct called rooting reflex that guides babies towards food sources. Although this reflex typically subsides around 3-4 months of age, it can lead infants to suck their thumb and fingers.
Exploration
Infants are natural explorers, and thumb- or finger-sucking may simply be a way of discovering what hands are for and what they can do.
Boredom
Older infants and toddlers may turn to thumb and finger sucking or other oral fixations as a way to alleviate boredom.
Teething Pain Relief
Thumb and finger sucking may increase as a baby’s teeth begin to emerge. Teething can be very uncomfortable for infants so chewing on fingers and hands may provide relief.
Why Thumb and Finger Sucking is Worse than Pacifier Use
Prolonged thumb or finger sucking can lead to dental issues, speech and language impairment, as well as emotional impacts. Unlike pacifier use, thumb sucking also can cause skin irritation as well as pose a greater risk of infection.
Thumb and finger sucking can also be a more difficult habit to break since the hand is always available, making it difficult for parents to monitor.
What to do if your child starts thumb or finger sucking
The best course of action for handling these habits depends on how old your child is. For babies aged 6-12 months, who have been recently weaned off pacifiers, parents can gently dissuade thumb and finger sucking, keep their hands clean, and offer alternatives.
Around 12-18 months and this habit continues, more direct interventions such as implementing a comforting routine, offering a teething ring, or providing distracting toys can help.
If the thumb and finger sucking habit persists when the child is a toddler, parents can start investigating combined therapies. Some of the most effective methods to treat this habit include positive reinforcement and non-invasive devices.
Using a gentle device to break the habit
If thumb or finger sucking becomes a concern, a gentle device like the TGuard AeroThumb or AeroFinger can help break the habit. With over 400 five star reviews from fellow parents, these tools are an effective, non-invasive way to break your child’s habit.
