“You are not alone, you are not afraid, you don't need your thumb, and your thumb does not need you.” Dr. Parry Lyman
Thumb sucking is one of the first coordinated acts for a baby. For very young children thumb sucking is a way to relieve hunger pangs. Parents usually start to worry too early about how to stop the thumb-sucking habit.
When does thumb sucking become a problem?
Thumb sucking causes serious problems if it continues long after the eruption of permanent teeth. The problem gets worse if it continues after the ages of four and five. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crowded, crooked teeth, or bite problems. The child may also develop speech problems or be unable to swallow properly. Protrusion and displacement of front teeth are usual results. Malformation of teeth can affect the child's appearance and cause further emotional problems.
Most kids outgrow this behaviour by preschool. Until then it is relatively harmless. But beyond pre-school it can be a problem since the permanent teeth start showing up. Here are some ways of dealing with this issue sensibly.
Do's
Talk about ‘bad' germs on the hands and how they get into the system when thumb sucking.
Carefully remove the child's thumb from the mouth during sleep.
Give the child extra attention and note if conflicts or anxiety provoke thumb sucking. If so, help him find more healthful ways to deal with stress.
Reward your child for progress towards the goal. Don't think of it as a bribe because it has been earned through effort.
Paint vinegar or pickle juice that tastes bad on the thumb. Don't do it forcefully or without permission but as a way to help. Then he/she sucks the thumb out of habit, the bad taste will quickly remind him/her of the goal.
Distract the child when you see him/her thumb sucking. Engage him/her in an activity that requires both hands. Keep the child's hands occupied with a toy, puzzle or other interesting activity.
Give the example of friends who have managed to stop thumb sucking. Invite such friends over for frequent play dates. Peer pressure is a powerful motivator in such cases.
A paediatric-dentist can also install an oral appliance that makes it uncomfortable to suck the thumb and release pressure on the teeth and palate. This is important if thumb sucking is affecting oral development.
Don'ts
Avoid putting the child down or describing him/her as ‘babyish'.
Avoid nagging or turning this into a power struggle. The more anxious he becomes the more likely he will continue.
Don't worry about it if it is not causing a problem.
Never punish or shame your child to resolve the problem. Such negative action will hurt self-esteem and only add to anxiety.
If your child has not stopped thumb sucking by his third birthday, consider taking action only if the child is sucking the thumb all day, if it affects communication, social skills or speech, or if it causes problems with his oral development.
The writer is a paediatrician based in Jaipur. E-mail: drvivek_sharma@rediffmail.com
