Thumbsucking

Why does my baby suck his thumb?

All babies are born with a sucking reflex. Sucking on a nipple, thumb, fist, or finger may help the baby feel secure. This is soothing to a child and may become a habit. Thumbsucking by itself is not a cause or symptom of a physical or psychological problem.

Many children who suck their thumbs or fingers stop by the time they are 6 or 7 months of age. Most will have stopped by 4 years of age. Children older than 5 may continue the habit because:

it is soothing
it has become a power struggle between parent and child, or
it has become a habit.

If your child is younger than 4, you may simply ignore the behavior. You can also try distracting your child with other activities. Do not pull the child's hand out of his or her mouth. Do not punish or scold the child. Doing so will make the problem worse.

How can I help my child stop sucking his thumb?

Children will naturally stop daytime sucking habits before they get too far in school. Peer pressure is usually the reason they stop. Nighttime sucking may continue as a way of going to sleep. Your child may also suck to calm down when he or she is upset. Don't worry. Most children will eventually stop this habit on their own.

After 5 years of age, you can help your child give up thumbsucking during the day. Find a time to talk to your child about stopping the habit during a time when he or she is not stressed, unhappy, or sick. Show your child what thumbsucking is doing to the teeth and to the skin on the thumb. Ask your child if he or she wants to stop. After your child agrees to give up the habit, give gentle reminders each time the habit is continued and reward positive behavior.

Should I be concerned about my child's thumbsucking/

You need to be concerned if the habit affects the shape of the child's mouth. Prolonged thumb or finger sucking can result in crooked teeth. Talk to your child's dentist or health care provider about any concerns you have about this habit. They will have information on ways to help your child stop thumbsucking.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File CHL3777F.HTM Release 9.0/2006