Infants have some neurological reflexes that encourage them to suck their thumbs. In some cases, thumb sucking is also noticed before birth. Many scientific studies have depicted that babies suck their thumb to feel safe. Infants also practise it because it leaves a soothing effect. Usually, infants stop sucking their thumb around the age of 4months to 4 years, but they can reconcile this habit in cases of stress.
Why could thumb-sucking be a problem?
Infants keep on playing with different objects, which may be contaminated by bacteria and harmful microorganisms. In such cases, their hands and fingers could be the storehouse for microorganisms. Apart from the hygiene aspect, the other one could be their dental palate structure. A persistent habit of thumb sucking could disrupt or disturb your baby’s upper palate structure. In the growing age, the upper palate is soft and tender. Continuous thumb-sucking could make their teeth protrude at later stages of life. Though teeth issues can only occur if the child is practising thumb sucking even after the infant phase. Even the finger bones get affected due to this habit. Finger bones are very tender at the infant phase. When your baby forcefully tries to insert his/her thumb into the mouth, finger bones may develop certain deformities.
These tips and tricks can help your child leave the habit of sucking their thumb with much ease:
Encourage The Child
Appreciate them when they are not their sucking thumb. Reward them with a bedtime story or maybe a ride outdoors. This will encourage them to quit this habit soon. Also, keep telling your kids harmful this can be for their health. Whenever they start sucking their thumb, start playing with them to divert their attention.
Try To Explain Hygiene Issues
Try to explain to your kids about how unhygienic it is to suck thumb. Tell them germs could enter their body, and they may fall ill. Also, this can be made interesting by weaving important facts in stories as it is easier for them to understand this way.
Know The Reason
If your child is grown up to quit this habit but is still addicted to thumb sucking, you should try to find out the reason. Thumb sucking is majorly done in the situations when the child is in under stress or not comfortable. Parents should carefully observe and try to find out the actual reason, in this case, to make it easier for the child to leave this habit.
Divert Their Minds
Try to divert your baby’s attention from thumb sucking. Give them chewelry (chewable jewellery or chewable toys for kids.) This could prove to be a very engaging activity for your child, gradually helping them come out of this thumb-sucking trap.
Draft stories
Simple stories where the positive character or the superhero is telling not to suck thumb will encourage your child to quit thumb sucking. This will make them concerned and conscious about thumb sucking. Storytelling is a proven technique when it comes to explaining anything important to the child. Make stories on the essential habits that are important for your child’s wellbeing.
