Parenting Advice: Thumb Sucking and Child Consequences
- By Gail Gupton
- Published 02/15/2010
- Advice
- Unrated
I sucked my thumb until I was 6 years old. A terrible habit! I'll tell you later why I consciously stopped, with no help from my parents.
However, thumb sucking is a concern to many parents. Mine used to come into my room and tell me to take my thumb out of my mouth. They never told me why. And, if they had, it probably would have done no good.
Toddlers suck their thumbs because it's comforting and calming. Although there's no scientific proof, it's possible that a baby in the mother's womb found the thumb and sucked during development. In this case, quite naturally, a young child may revert back to it when they are nervous, agitated, scared or ill.
I used thumb sucking as a way to go to sleep. But I can remember well having a sock or mitten put on my hand and tied around my wrist. I can also remember some type of yucky taste put on my thumb to deter sucking.
Parents shouldn't concern themselves unless it continues after the age their permanent teeth begin to appear, around six years old. Experts say that it's the intensity of the thumb sucking and the tongue's thrust that deforms teeth and makes braces necessary later.
Children who rest their thumb passively in their mouth are less likely to have difficulty than children who suck aggressively. If you're concerned, closely monitor your child and analyze his technique. If they appear to be sucking vigorously, you may want to begin curbing their habit earlier.
Punishing or nagging your child to stop won't help because it's usually an automatic response. Attempting to curb it by putting an elastic bandage on his thumb or another method will seem like unjust punishment, especially since they indulge in the habit for comfort and security.
Try to wait it out. Children usually give up thumb-sucking when they've found other ways to calm and comfort themselves. Consider offering them other alternatives to comfort themselves such as a soft blanket or lullaby toy
The key is to notice when and where they are likely to suck their thumbs and offer an alternative. If it happens while they are tired, try giving more naps. If they suck their thumb frequently while watching television, try to distract them with a toy that will keep their hands occupied.
Older children may need gentle reminders to curtail thumb sucking while in public, and praise should be given freely when the child finds and uses an acceptable alternative. Your child's pediatric dentist can offer other suggestions for helping your child kick the thumb sucking habit.
In my own case, I was the intense sucker. I wore a knot on my thumb that eventually caused embarrassment when I started school and other children asked me about it. That's when I consciously decided to give it up.
My parents could never afford braces and I always hated my teeth's protrusion while growing up.
Yes, the child will outgrow it, but if your child is an aggressive thumb sucker, it's important for their future self-esteem to substitute the thumb early on. Punishment is not the answer. Love and understanding go a much longer way.
However, thumb sucking is a concern to many parents. Mine used to come into my room and tell me to take my thumb out of my mouth. They never told me why. And, if they had, it probably would have done no good.
Toddlers suck their thumbs because it's comforting and calming. Although there's no scientific proof, it's possible that a baby in the mother's womb found the thumb and sucked during development. In this case, quite naturally, a young child may revert back to it when they are nervous, agitated, scared or ill.
I used thumb sucking as a way to go to sleep. But I can remember well having a sock or mitten put on my hand and tied around my wrist. I can also remember some type of yucky taste put on my thumb to deter sucking.
Parents shouldn't concern themselves unless it continues after the age their permanent teeth begin to appear, around six years old. Experts say that it's the intensity of the thumb sucking and the tongue's thrust that deforms teeth and makes braces necessary later.
Children who rest their thumb passively in their mouth are less likely to have difficulty than children who suck aggressively. If you're concerned, closely monitor your child and analyze his technique. If they appear to be sucking vigorously, you may want to begin curbing their habit earlier.
Punishing or nagging your child to stop won't help because it's usually an automatic response. Attempting to curb it by putting an elastic bandage on his thumb or another method will seem like unjust punishment, especially since they indulge in the habit for comfort and security.
Try to wait it out. Children usually give up thumb-sucking when they've found other ways to calm and comfort themselves. Consider offering them other alternatives to comfort themselves such as a soft blanket or lullaby toy
The key is to notice when and where they are likely to suck their thumbs and offer an alternative. If it happens while they are tired, try giving more naps. If they suck their thumb frequently while watching television, try to distract them with a toy that will keep their hands occupied.
Older children may need gentle reminders to curtail thumb sucking while in public, and praise should be given freely when the child finds and uses an acceptable alternative. Your child's pediatric dentist can offer other suggestions for helping your child kick the thumb sucking habit.
In my own case, I was the intense sucker. I wore a knot on my thumb that eventually caused embarrassment when I started school and other children asked me about it. That's when I consciously decided to give it up.
My parents could never afford braces and I always hated my teeth's protrusion while growing up.
Yes, the child will outgrow it, but if your child is an aggressive thumb sucker, it's important for their future self-esteem to substitute the thumb early on. Punishment is not the answer. Love and understanding go a much longer way.
Gail Gupton
Gail Gupton is a grandmother of twelve. She has developed a way to change Out-Of-Control children into kids who behave properly. If you have a child who back-talks, who's defiant, sarcastic, unruly, disrespectful, or disobedient, help is available at The Behavior Solution. Read the Author's Blog.
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