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Thumb sucking is a common habit among children. Although some experts recommend addressing sucking habits before age 3, the American Academy of Pediatrics says treatment is usually limited to children who continue thumb sucking after turning 5. (1)

Forcing them to break that habit could cause more stress and anxiety. Instead, try a few of these tips and work on breaking the habit gradually. (1) & (2)

- Ignoring: sometimes paying no attention to thumb sucking is enough to stop the behavior — especially if your child uses thumb sucking to get attention.

- Talk: Always start by talking to your child about why thumb sucking is a bad habit. Some things to talk about with your child include:

1. Germs: Thumb and finger sucking spreads germs and makes people sick.
2. Teeth: Sucking pushes teeth forward and can make you look funny, and you might need braces.
3. Teasing: Other kids will think you are still a baby or might tease.
4. Speech: As long as you suck your thumb, it is hard to learn how to speak the right way. You might sound funny.

- Identify triggers: If your child sucks his or her thumb in response to stress, identify the real issue and provide comfort in other ways — such as with a hug or reassuring words. You might also give your child a pillow or stuffed animal to squeeze.

- Find your child’s favorite thumb-sucking times: Watching TV and sleeping are two common times when kids fall back into their sucking habits. If nighttime is a problem, try putting socks on hands before bed and attaching the socks to pajama sleeves with safety pins. If watching TV is a problem, try turning off the TV for 5 or 10 minutes every time you catch your child finger or thumb sucking.

- Use positive reinforcement. Praise your child or provide small rewards — such as an extra bedtime story or a trip to the park — when he or she isn't thumb sucking.

- Set attainable goals, such as no thumb sucking an hour before bed. Place stickers on a calendar to record the days when your child successfully avoids thumb sucking.

- Some techniques maybe effective in some children such as: bad-tasting nail polish, plastic thumb or finger covers, cloth thumb or gloves, ace bandage to the elbow or nippit Hand Stopper.

- For some kids, a chat with the dentist about why it's important to stop thumb sucking is more effective than a talk with mom or dad.

Dr. Bilal Dhayni

Pediatrician

^{(1) Thumb sucking: Help your child break the habit - Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org}

^{(2) Thumb & Finger Sucking: 11 ways to break the habit (not your budget) (childrensmd.org) https://childrensmd.org}