Thumbs In – How to help kids get their thumbs out
True or False?
Thumb-sucking is a sign of insecurity
False. Thumb-sucking originates from baby’s biological need to suck and is part of normal development. The urge is usually reduced during the first year but after this age, sucking becomes a habit which often lingers. It gives the child something to do when bored, stressed, or in need of comfort.
Thumb-suckers are more at risk with teeth problems?
True. If the habit continues after the age of five or six, then your child could need braces.
The most likely problems are protruding and spaced teeth, a narrow jaw and an open bite. The severity of the problem depends on how constant and prolonged the habit is. The reason the habit should be eliminated by six years of age is because the front permanent teeth emerge just after age six. Irreversible effects on the formation of the mouth and jawbone is then likely to occur.
Girls are more likely to suck their thumbs?
True. Equality sets in at birth with both boys and girls sucking their thumbs. However, after the age of two, girls are more likely to continue with the habit. According to researchers, this is probably due to sexist social influences such as parents and peers viewing boys who suck their thumbs after two to look babyish and then overly discourage the behaviours. It is more acceptable for a girl to suck her thumb as it continues the air of innocence and cuteness.
Dummies are poor thumb substitutes?
False. There are children who just prefer dummies and interestingly, children usually don’t like both. It is probably a matter of timing. If the thumb is found before a dummy, then that is usually what they stick with. It is easier to break the dummy habit as obviously a thumb is always there.
Thumb-sucking is something which children give up on their own?
True. The habit is reduced with time, with the majority of children giving up on their own accord. Starting school is a good time with peer pressure exerted for them to cease the habit.
Children usually learn other appropriate coping skills to replace thumb-sucking and the actual reflex lessens with age. They learn to verbalise their feelings rather that hide behind the thumb and this reduces the need to soothe anxieties with physical comfort.
How Can you Help?
If thumb-sucking persists beyond the age of five or six.
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Educate your child about the long-term damage. Involve your family dentist or doctor to aid your child’s awareness. Resources they may have, such as photos or plaster moulds can help youngsters to understand the distortions which can occur from thumb-sucking. It may be enough to discourage the habit.
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Allow your child to monitor their progress. A child has to be eager to stop the habit. If they aren’t, then discuss the disadvantages of thumb-sucking and allow them time to absorb and think about the information you have given for a few weeks. Then try again.
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Teach reversal techniques. Encourage your child to identify the occasions and places they like to suck their thumbs, e.g. going to sleep or watching TV. Then teach them to do something else at risk times such as holding a toy or grasping their thumb inside the fist and counting to 20 when the urge kicks in. For those who suck their thumb during sleep, try wrapping a bandage around the thumb as a reminder to keep it out of their mouth. When stressed, give assurance with extra hugs and affection.
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Formulate a reward system. Give the child an incentive to stop the habit. Successful methods are stickers or stars on the calendar or a lucky-dip system where they get to pull out a toy each successful day.
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Avoid negative reinforcement. Applying bitter solutions to the child’s thumb rarely works. Positive reinforcement works best. Put simply, this means praising your child when they don’t suck their thumb rather than punishing or ridiculing when they do. This way you are guiding your child with positive comments such as “Mummy loves to see you smile without your thumb in your mouth.”
A problem exists only if your child persists to suck their thumb into their school years or when it takes the place of other vital activities, such as playing and learning.
