The Truth About Thumbsucking
When you have a child who sucks their thumb, you can start to feel quickly overwhelmed thinking about how they should stop, when they should stop, and if it will have long-term effects. Here are some things to help ease your mind.
Start by Reframing
There is so much out there about how “bad” thumb sucking is, but the truth is that it is a habit for many children that is not usually a lifetime habit. Thumb sucking is important to understand from a child development perspective as well as an oral health perspective. It’s true that prolonged thumb sucking (after age 3 years old) can impact oral and mouth development. But it’s also true that thumb sucking is an important soothing mechanism for many infants and toddlers, and that is just as meaningful for their early development.
Babies and Young Toddlers
It’s really okay for babies and young toddlers to suck their thumbs - it’s a form of soothing. It’s critically important, especially in those first three years, for children to find comfort and feel safe. They are also so sensory at this young age that finding a tangible way to feel that comfort is okay. And from a child development perspective, trying to stop an infant from thumb sucking with positive reinforcement or by saying “no” — all the tricks and hacks — don’t really work anyway.
Older Children
As they get older, you can start to focus on simple shifts to help. Beginning around 2-3 years old, you can approach daytime thumb sucking. Data shows that things like bad tasting nail polish and other similar products don’t work very well. Instead, offer positive redirection or transfer with a physical object (a lovey or physical object for comfort) - when you notice your little one sucking their thumb, try “let’s use our thumb to squeeze your lovey or hug your bear”. You can try a soft hairband too if they are fidgeting - “let’s use our fingers for playing with the hairband”. Gently redirect without any shame and go at their pace. They will likely still suck their thumbs when tired, emotional, or during sleep, and that’s okay for this age.
Around 5 years old, it’s important to help children if they are still sucking their thumb. At this age, the dental impact can be longer lasting. Continue with the positive redirection and physical objects, and be consistent when you notice it. Gentle persistence is key. Kids at this age are developmentally more ready to understand how to shift behaviors and habits. And your dentist can help a lot with this - they even have devices kids can be fitted for if needed. It’s also okay if it still happens occasionally as they get close to this age - they’ll get there.
Some Things To Remember
Try to avoid making any changes if your child is in a place of separation anxiety, is experiencing any big changes, is sick, or if it doesn’t feel right to you. Our kids need to be able to feel safe, that is their primary goal and our goal as their caregivers in those early years. As they get older and are more primed for understanding how to shift habits, then you can try developmentally appropriate ways to help guide them. I know it feels like a lot, but you’re doing just great. And they will get there!
