Thumb sucking and ways to help your child overcome it

   Thumb sucking can be a real comforting habit for your child. However, this comforting habit of your child is going to have a whole lot of repercussions for them later on including harming their teeth and jaws. Therefore, as responsible parents you do need to curb as best as possible this habit of thumb sucking.

   In fact, if you were to ask around most parents would tell you about how worrisome it is to see their child resort to thumb sucking. They know it is bad and harmful but at times are at the end of their tether about how to deal with it.

   Children go back to thumb sucking as a means to feel secure and safe in an environment. They need to stop it definitely by the time the permanent teeth start appearing that is around the age of six years. If thumb sucking continues beyond this particular age then it is going to deform their teeth and then later on they might have to wear braces.

    Also, the act of thumb sucking brings on a host of other problems such as the buildup of bacteria and infections. A good thing is to ensure that you deal with it in the most positive of manner. Do not punish your child for it as that will make them resentful and all the more insecure. Rather, try and wait it out and be as gentle as possible when you correct them. There are options and other comfort zones that you could offer your child such as a warm blanket, their favorite toy or be with them before they fall asleep to ensure that they don’t think of thumb sucking.

   Furthermore, you need to be alert and notice when your child resorts to thumb sucking. Find out the triggers, the time of the day and what brings this on so that you can go on and avoid these kinds of situations for your child. Try and distract your child as soon as they try to put their thumbs in their mouth. Slowly and gently remove the thumb from the mouth and direct your child’s attention to something else. Over a period of time your child will overcome thumb sucking if it is done in the right way. The right kind of positive reinforcement and good parenting habits will certainly help you achieve that with the least bit of frustration.