Thumb, Finger or Pacifier Sucking (page 2)

All healthy newborns start life and sustain it with an urge to suck. Embryos have been observed sucking their thumbs while in the womb. Sucking is one of a baby’s inherent reflexes that is an essential ability for basic survival—if it were not present, the infant would not seek food or nourishment.

For many infants, the sucking instinct is not satisfied by feedings alone. Non-nutritive sucking, that is sucking thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects, is a healthy normal behavior and offers young children a feeling of security, comfort, pleasure and relaxation during the first few years of life. This habit helps children to cope with different situations and emotions. Virtually all young children at one time or another place their fingers, fist, pacifier, thumb, or other objects in their mouth to suck. As children grow and develop, most naturally discontinue this habit.

Thumb and Finger Sucking

Thumb and finger sucking is a natural, normal behavior for infants. Most young children suck their thumbs or fingers at some time, and it is an appropriate and useful behavior that allows them to soothe and entertain themselves. Children usually turn to their thumb or finger when they are tired, stressed, upset or bored. And it is not unusual for a thumb or finger sucker to simultaneously engage in other self-comforting behaviors like pulling at a strand of hair, touching the ear, or holding on to a favorite blanket or toy. Even when the habit lingers past infancy, thumb or finger sucking is rarely something to be concerned about. The majority of children give up such habits on their own by age 2. If children do not stop on their own, the habit should be discouraged after age 4.

Pacifiers

Some children prefer sucking a pacifier to a thumb or finger. Pacifier use elicits strong responses from parents and caregivers. Some oppose it because of the way it looks. Some feel that it’s “pacifying” a child with an object. And others believe that using the pacifier can harm the child. But pacifiers do not cause any medical or psychological problems, and like thumb or finger sucking, using a pacifier during the early years of development generally does not permanently alter the position of the teeth or jaw. If a child wants to suck beyond what nursing or bottle-feeding provides, a pacifier will satisfy that need.

How to Help a Child Stop the Habit

Children generally forego non-nutritive sucking long before any permanent damage is done. However, some children need to be helped to stop the habit before it will cease. Attempts to steer children away from the habit can backfire if they are not tempered with positive support and guidance. Refrain from harsh words, nagging, teasing, belittling, pulling the finger or pacifier out of a child’s mouth, or punishing the child to stop the behavior. These methods may upset the child, increase anxiety and stress, and worsen the habit.

• Parents and caregivers can assist children with strong emotional support through a variety of methods. Start by gradually weaning children from the habit over time. Explain that they must stop the habit in order for their teeth to come in straight.
• Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to the child.
• Involve older children in choosing the method of stopping. Have a special place for the pacifier that’s out of sight, so that children must ask for it.
• Praise and reward children when they don’t suck their thumb or use the pacifier. Look for times when the children do not have the thumb, finger or pacifier in their mouth, and provide words of encouragement, a pat or hug. Let them know that you are aware of the effort they are making to change the habit and that you appreciate it.
• Star charts, daily rewards and gentle reminders, especially during the daytime hours, are also very helpful.

Reference

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Fast Facts