Many parents find themselves dealing with a baby that sucks her thumb. Thumb sucking is actually very popular among babies and toddlers; however, parents often find it quite disturbing. In order to deal with thumb sucking or to get your baby to stop sucking thumb, you need to understand that what causes this behavior and some ways that you can deal with it.
If you take a close look at thumb sucking, it actually goes all the way back to the baby’s time in the womb. Many babies suck their thumbs even before they are born. For many children, sucking the thumb is a way for them to find comfort and it helps them feel more secure. A child may also suck her thumb if she is feeling sick, tired or upset as well. As a child grows older, sometimes they will suck their thumb if they are upset, feel uncomfortable and even if they are bored. For parents to help their children to stop sucking thumb, they first must identify why their baby is sucking their thumb in the first place.
Babies and toddlers that suck their thumb because they are bored need to be offered a diversion. If you feel your child is sucking her thumb for this reason, then you need to find some ways to distract her. Perhaps engage her in fun activities and play games with her whenever she displays this habit. Often this will be just the thing to help her stop sucking on her thumb.
For a child who sucks her thumb for security or comfort, often you can stop the problem by offering her something else for comfort. Some children may do well with a special blanket, while others may be diverted by a special stuffed animal. Giving your child something to hold on to gives them another way that they can feel comforted and secure, without having to resort to thumb sucking.
Prolonged thumb sucking in your child can lead to some problems. Some of the problems that can occur if your child sucks their thumb for too long include speech problems as well as problems with their teeth. Although these problems can occur, usually parents do not need to worry too much about the thumb sucking problem. Most children get over it with no problem on their own.
It is important that parents do not panic and try to force their child to stop sucking thumb when they are young. This can lead to a power struggle between you and your child, and they may not understand why you are upset with them or punishing them either. Being too harsh with your child in this area may actually cause them to suck their thumb even more. Offering them other options and distracting them from thumb sucking is usually the best way to get your baby or toddler to stop sucking thumb.
