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8 Tips to break thumb sucking habit

Thumb sucking in babies is a natural reflex that helps them to calm down and settle. In fact, babies start sucking their thumbs while in womb itself. More often a thumb-sucking baby might give up this habit before he/she turns five years of age. Thumb sucking is not a matter of concern at all and it does not indicate that your child may have emotional problems. But yes, beyond the age of five, if your little one is still bent upon sucking his thumb, you need to ensure to break the thumb-sucking habit. Helping your child overcome this habit is not easy and it demands a lot of determination and patience from your end. Follow these simple tips that might help your little one give up his thumb-sucking habit.

1. Choose right time

If you feel it is high time that your child breaks his/her thumb-sucking habit and your child is old enough to understand and follow what you say, you can help your child get rid of this habit. First and foremost, let your child know that thumb sucking would spoil his/her teeth formation. Let him also know that by sucking his thumb all the germs in his hands would enter his mouth. Encourage your child to come to you for comfort rather than sucking his thumb. Discipline your child and gently remove his thumb while he starts to suck. Sucking thumb is an involuntary action and it would take a lot of time for your child to realize what he is doing. By removing each time he puts his thumb in his mouth, you are slowly enabling him to break his habit of thumb sucking.

2. Use behavioral approach

Every child loves rewards and prizes, and this is one method you could employ and bribe him by showering him with things he loves. Come up with a deal with your little one. Discuss together, and let him know with what he will be rewarded by end of the week, if he does not suck his thumb. However, give him some slip-up that he is allowed in a week. Mark all these on a board and you will be surprised with the honest attempts that will be made by your little one to break his thumb-sucking habit. It might take more than a month for him to get used to this.

3. Apply bitter-tasting liquids to nails

One effective way to help your child discourage sucking his thumb is by applying a bitter-tasting liquid to the nail (remember not on thumb!). These products are easily available over the counter. There could be some home remedies that can prove just as effective as the bitter-tasting products.

4. Apply perfume to nails

You could also tab some strong perfume to the nails. When your child would put his thumb for sucking, the strong taste of the perfume might discourage him from putting thumb in the mouth. Slowly but eventually, you can help your child cope with this situation. He will cease to put his thumb in his mouth for sucking.

5. Cover the thumb

You can try to cover your child’s thumb using mittens, finger splint, or gloves. Though chances are high that he may soon remove them, you can encourage him to put them on as long as possible. You can always slip them on while your child is asleep. It may take a little more than six weeks to break this habit.

6. Give lot of attention

Be a good observer and give your child extra love. Note the situations that trigger his thumb sucking. Guide your child by digging in your imagination and expose him to things that he might be engaged in; appropriate to his age. Make sure that whatever new means you try to expose your child to, he finds solace in it.

7. Take help from a dentist

You can take your child to a dentist to help you deal with this long-standing thumb-sucking habit. Your child’s dentist will fix some devices like “crib” and “palatal bar” in your child’s mouth to prevent sucking. These devices can be removed once your child gives up thumb sucking.

8. If the problem still persists take medical help

In spite of umpteen efforts, if your child still sucks his/her thumb chances are good that he/she is dealing with a much deeper problem. It is advisable that you take your child to a mental health professional, who can tackle this situation much effectively and help your child break his thumb-sucking habit.

Do not give up or lose hope at any point. Thumb sucking must have stated overnight for your child, but for him breaking this habit will not come as quickly. Persuade and be persistent and stand as a great influence for your child. This will encourage him to break free from his thumb sucking.

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