Children pick up all sorts of habits in their early years of life, and while they naturally outgrow some, they may need your help quitting others. For instance, thumb sucking often begins as an act of self-soothing, but if the behavior goes beyond toddlerhood, it could damage a child’s physical and emotional health. This is because prolonged thumb sucking can misshape the palate and jaw, leading to misaligned teeth, difficulties speaking and eating, and even low self-esteem in the child. This comprehensive guide details must-know pediatricians’ advice on breaking thumb sucking habits.
Address Triggers
Before you try to get your child to quit thumb sucking, you need to understand the reason for the behavior. Children suck their thumbs for a variety of reasons, including tiredness, boredom, anxiety, stress, or transitions between activities. Observe your child’s patterns to understand when thumb sucking occurs most frequently throughout the day.
If your child is old enough, you may also ask them when they feel the need to suck their thumb. Some kids may recognize that they do it as soon as they feel uncomfortable, while others may have no idea. Any information your child can give helps both of you get to the root cause of the behavior, so you can make a plan to stop it.
Talk To Your Child
Open communication forms the foundation of successful thumb sucking cessation. Pediatricians recommend approaching your child with empathy and understanding while also being age-appropriate. Begin by explaining that while thumb sucking helped your child when they were little, they’re a big kid now and can find new ways to cope. Avoid using shame-based language or making your child feel embarrassed about their natural behavior.
Choose age-appropriate explanations that help your child understand the reasons for stopping. For younger children, simple explanations about keeping teeth healthy work well, while older children can understand more detailed information about dental development.
The goal of your conversation is to create a supportive environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their concerns or fears about giving up this comforting habit. To ensure this is the case, tell your little one that you will help them find a new coping mechanism and offer support throughout the process.
Offer Healthy Coping Options
Teaching alternative coping mechanisms helps children manage the emotions that trigger thumb sucking. Experiment with different activities, such as deep breathing, extra cuddling, coloring, or reading together. The goal is to find a coping option that best aligns with your child’s personality and preferences. A cuddly kiddo may want extra hugs as they fight the urge to suck their thumb, while a creative one may find solace in drawing or coloring.
Keep Their Hands and Minds Busy
Another piece of pediatric advice to break thumb sucking habits is to help your child keep them busy. When your child uses fidget toys, colors, or plays with toys, they engage their hands and mind more productively. These activities not only redirect their focus but also keep their fingers out of their mouths, helping to naturally break the habit over time.
Consider offering your child items such as a stress ball, coloring book, or blocks to keep themselves entertained. Avoid using a tablet or watching TV as an outlet, as these can be counterproductive in breaking the habit; a child may continue sucking their thumb while watching TV out of boredom.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is a simple yet powerful way to encourage desired behaviors in children rather than discouraging negative behaviors. Essentially, you’ll praise your child every time they choose healthy ways of coping rather than thumb sucking; if they suck their thumb, you’ll gently redirect them. This reinforcement tactic is crucial for kids because they don’t grasp emotional complexities in the same way adults do. Yelling at your child or shaming them for sucking their thumb can instill a fear of your reactions and may worsen the habit.
Some examples of positive reinforcement include:
Verbal Praise
When your child avoids thumb-sucking, celebrate their success with encouraging words. Phrases like “You’re doing such a great job keeping your hands busy!” or “I’m so proud of you for trying so hard” can boost their confidence and affirm your support. Make sure your praise is sincere and immediate so they associate it with the correct behavior.
Reward Charts
Kids love rewards and seeing the process since it makes things less abstract. Create a reward chart with your child that details daily goals related to thumb sucking. For instance, they may start with a simple goal of not sucking their thumb for 30 minutes and then gradually increase the duration. Put a sticker or checkmark on your child’s chart each day they meet the goal and set up rewards for a certain number of successful days.
Small Tangible Rewards
Sometimes, a small token can make a big difference and give your child something to strive for each day. Consider setting up a prize box with items your child can choose from after completing a certain number of successful days without thumb sucking. This could include small toys, stickers, or even a special outing with you.
Consider Dental Appliances
Sometimes, the best option is to use a device to stop thumb sucking to help deter thumb sucking. As you evaluate your options, investigate the pros and cons of each, as some may be more comfortable for your child than others. For example, an in-the-mouth appliance, such as a hay rack, stops thumb sucking by interfering with the position of your child’s thumb. While this option can end the habit, it also uses negative reinforcement – physical discomfort – which can be emotionally damaging to a child.
A thumb sucking glove is the most effective dental appliance for ending thumb sucking, as it eliminates the pleasurable aspects of the habit. Children suck their thumbs due to the suction. Experts design thumb sucking gloves with small slits along the side, allowing air to flow in and out and break the suction. Best of all, thumb sucking gloves are comfortable and do not restrict movement like other appliances, such as a thumb guard.
Give It Time
We’ve all had habits we needed to break, and as adults, it’s important to remember that this isn’t an overnight process. Your child may need some time to adjust to wearing a thumb sucking glove, and it may take a few weeks before they fully stop the habit. Be patient and supportive throughout this process, as your child may experience some emotional ups and downs.
Breaking the thumb-sucking habit is a process that takes time, love, and understanding, but every small step forward is a victory worth celebrating. Your patience and encouragement create a supportive space where your child feels confident to grow and succeed. With gentle guidance and consistent effort, you’re helping them build habits that will benefit them for years to come.
