Thumb Sucking and Children

More than three-quarters of infants suck their thumbs or fingers through the first year of life. For these children, thumb sucking is an appropriate and useful behavior that allows them to soothe and entertain themselves. A child usually turns to his thumb when he is tired, upset or bored. It is not unusual for a thumb sucker to simultaneously engage in other self-comforting behaviors like pulling at a strand of hair, touching an ear, or holding onto a blanket or stuffed toy.

Specialists agree that a thumb sucker younger than age five shouldn't be pressured to stop. The majority of children give up such habits on their own before they enter kindergarten. Even when the habit lingers past infancy, thumb sucking is rarely something to be concerned about. It does not indicate that a child has emotional problems or that he will still be sucking his finger when he's a teenager.

Nevertheless, about fifteen percent of children will continue thumb sucking past their fifth birthday. This is an age when teasing often starts, causing social difficulties for children once they reach school age.

Thumb sucking also can lead to dental problems. A child who is still sucking his thumb by age five, when permanent teeth start coming in, may develop an abnormal bite. In addition, prolonged thumb sucking can cause minor physical problems, such as chapped lips or cracked skin, calluses, or fingernail infections. If a child older than five or six is still sucking his thumb and is having difficulty stopping, parents ought to think about what they can do to help.

Before insisting that a child go "cold turkey," it is important to observe how deeply entrenched the behavior is. If it happens only at bedtime or in front of family members, it is less serious.

Attempts to steer a child away from thumb sucking can backfire if not tempered with positive support and guidance. Refrain from nagging and reprimands or pulling a finger out of a child's mouth - these can result in a power struggle. The truth is most kids over six really do want to stop but need some extra help.

Many parents have had success with a simple behavioral treatment plan that can be carried out in three phases. First, a one-month moratorium on discussion. If finger sucking is part of a power struggle, not mentioning it may help extinguish the behavior. The next step is to buy a poster board and stickers and make a "progress" chart. Offer a prize at the end of each week the child has refrained from sucking and a larger reward at the end of the month. Breaking a habit is much easier when the child is a willing participant.

Try to engage the child in the process. For example, decide together how many "slip ups" he's allowed each week and have him place stickers on the chart.

It can also be helpful to place a bitter-tasting liquid on the nail (not directly on the finger), especially at night, as a reminder not to suck. Such products are sold over the counter. Mittens, gloves, or a finger-splint may also be worn at night. Surprisingly, children often find it a relief to be able to turn to a program for help.