The debate has been raging for generations; there seems no end in
sight. And few childhood behaviors arouse such a range of emotions and
reactions.
The issue is thumb sucking.
- Some parents swell with pride, wonder and excitement that their
newborn has located his thumb or finger and placed it into his mouth
for comfort.
- Others wonder why their children continue to suck their thumbs as
they grow, wondering if it’s a sign of insecurity or emotional
problems.
- Still others are concerned thumbs or fingers will put children in
contact with harmful germs.
- If thumb sucking continues in school, parents worry that their
children will be teased.
- There is also the concern that teeth will become misaligned.
Whew!
There’s nothing simple about the simple habit of thumb sucking. But the
bottom line is this: sucking is a natural reflex (some fetuses suck
their thumbs in the womb) and before age four, thumb sucking is usually
harmless. After that, most kids quit with just a little positive
reinforcement.
"The beginning of thumb sucking is quite innocent," says Edward
Christophersen,PhD, clinical psychologist at Children’s Mercy
Hospitals and Clinics. "In most cases, thumb sucking helps babies
and toddlers fall asleep and acts as a convenient self-quieting
technique in new or stressful situations."
Dr. Christophersen says that contrary to popular belief, thumb (or
finger) sucking is not a sign of insecurity.
Beyond infancy, thumb sucking is no longer a reflex action. Yet many
preschoolers continue to suck their thumb because it gives them comfort
and pleasure. During times of stress, excitement and illness, children
tend to suck their thumbs more frequently.
During infancy and preschool years, thumb sucking poses no real
problems for children. For the most part, it doesn’t introduce harmful
germs into the mouth and is not associated with infection.
Before ages four or five, sucking does not cause any distortion of the
mouth or teeth. But frequent and intense thumb sucking much later can
cause problems with developing teeth and speech patterns.
Thankfully, before those problems arise, most children get busy in pre-
school or school and they will most likely stop sucking their thumbs —
if for no other reason than because they are afraid of being teased by
classmates. Children who continue to suck their thumbs are often judged
by their peers to be less intelligent, attractive, happy and likable.
During the early years, you shouldn’t be concerned about your child’s
thumb sucking. Still, you shouldn’t encourage it. And at age three or
four, parents can take simple steps to decrease the frequency of thumb
sucking:
- Distract your child from sucking by suggesting activities that
require use of both hands.
- During times of stress, offer to meet your child’s needs with a hug
or words of praise.
- Provide words of encouragement whenever your child refrains from
thumb sucking.
- Do not put excessive pressure on your child.
- Do not get involved in a power struggle at this time when a child
is seeking to establish his autonomy. Punishment will only make him
want to emphasize his independence.
- Tell your child that persistent thumb sucking can cause a gap
between the teeth and inflict sores on the fingers.
- More extensive approaches include a thumb guard or application of a
bitter liquid to the thumb or finger. (These methods work better if the
child is willing to work with you.)
In most cases, a child will stop sucking her thumb on her own. Some
children take longer than others. But the experts agree that if you
provide a secure and loving environment and positive words of
encouragement, you can help your child overcome this behavior.
