Thumb sucking or Finger Sucking in Babies – Reasons and How to Stop the Habit?
Why do babies thumb-suck or finger-suck?
It’s a developmental milestone babies achieve even before they are born. You can see in the Ultrasound Scan that babies in the womb suck their thumb too. As you can see first babies find it difficult to connect to their mouth and gradually understand the connection. Then a milestone is achieved – hand-to-mouth coordination. It is one of the earliest behavioral expressions babies show.
Reasons for thumb-suck or finger sucking
1. Baby is hungry
2. Baby is sleepy
3. To self soothe
Is thumb-sucking bad?
Thumb-sucking as explained is natural and a trademark of infancy. There is no need to stop a baby thumb-sucking as you are intervening with a major skill and first sensory-motor skill they are developing. Sensory Motor skills mean the way they learn to co-ordinate and use their hands, arms, and legs. Your interference may delay them from achieving many of their developmental milestones as you start confusing the baby. Keep wiping the baby’s hand with a wet cotton cloth very often.
How long does thumb sucking usually last?
Many children stop sucking their thumbs on their own, often by age 6 or 7 months when they start learning other activities, like crawling walking, etc., or between ages 2 and 4 years.
But even a child who’s stopped sucking his or her thumb might go back to the behavior during times of stress or while sleeping.
Indian Society on thumb-sucking
1. Assumptions that mom’s milk is insufficient and hence the baby has started this habit.
2. Mothers are blamed for not avoiding this habit.
3. Various unhealthy techniques or guidance suggested stopping thumb-sucking. Even wearing mittens isn’t advisable.
4. Assume that baby’s hunger would curb and hence mommy enjoys freedom. When a baby doesn’t get food it will definitely scream out of hunger, and thumbsucking doesn’t fill the baby’s stomach.
5. Calling names – tutturi
6. Using force and being harsh on the baby or growing toddler
When should I intervene?
Thumb sucking isn’t usually a concern until a child’s permanent teeth come in i.e. at the age of 5 or 6. At this point, thumb sucking might begin to affect the roof of the mouth (palate) or how the teeth line up. The risk of dental problems is related to how often, how long, and how intensely your child sucks on his or her thumb.
Although some experts recommend addressing sucking habits before age 3, the American Academy of Pediatrics says the treatment is usually limited to children who continue thumb sucking after turning 5.
How to stop this habit?
This habit of thumb or finger sucking would need intervention only if a kid continues to do it post the age of 5. Until then let the baby be a baby.
1. Don’t be harsh or do not use any harsh methods.
2. Try to find the root cause of continued thumb-sucking or triggers.
3. At this age, you can explain to them the problems it can cause. Like hygiene issues or teeth formation concerns.
4. Give them gentle reminders.
5. Use positive reinforcement – rewards, appreciation.
6. Alternate means of comfort – hugging, sleeping with them holding their hands, etc.
Tip to a parent
1. Offer to feed when baby thumb-sucks.
2. Set your mind to support your baby.
3. Stop anyone who does name-calling.
4. Never disrespect your baby.
5. Putting on gloves or mittens is unnecessary.
Video: Thumb sucking or Finger Sucking in Babies – Reasons and How to Stop the Habit?
- Video in Hindi – शिशोंका अंगूठा/उंगलियाँ चूसना – सही? गलत? कैसे छुड़ाए?
- Video in Kannada – ಮಕ್ಕಳು ಬೆರಳು ಚೀಪುವುದು ಏಕೆ? – ಅದು ತಪ್ಪೇ? ಹೇಗೆ ಬಿಡಿಸಬೇಕು?
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