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All Thumbs

What Does Thumbsucking Mean for Development?

By Lisa Marie Metzler

First, keep in mind that thumbsucking will probably cease by the time your child is 5 years old. Second, focus on the daytime habit first and then slowly move on to nighttime thumbsucking. Third, nagging and pressuring your child to quit sucking her thumb is not likely to be a successful way to motivate her to stop and may actually reinforce the habit even more.

"One of the best tactics for parents to use to decrease thumbsucking is simply to keep the child's hands occupied so that there is less opportunity for thumbsucking," says Dr. Stavinoha. For instance, there are probably specific times during the day when you know your child is apt to be sucking his thumb. "During these times, the parent might try to keep the child's mouth occupied with conversation or keep their hands occupied with activities that are incompatible with thumbsucking," says Dr. Stavinoha.

Finger painting, playing with blocks and other activities that require both hands are good to try. You may also want to start reinforcing the child's "grown-up" behavior. Praising your child for dressing himself, using the toilet and playing independently will turn the focus from the thumb to other "grown-up" skills. During this time, parents can encourage and praise their child for not sucking on his thumb.

The use of rewards, in the form of stickers or special privileges, can prove to be very effective, too. Sometimes a non-verbal cue such as a wink or finger to the nose can be helpful in alerting your child to the fact that he is sucking his thumb. Non-verbal cues work well because they will not bring embarrassment to your child.

"Parents should remind themselves that they are to give cues and prompts, not to nag or belittle," says Dr. Savinoha. If all your efforts fail and your child is still sucking his thumb, your pediatrician should be consulted.

"If the child is withdrawing and seems depressed, the thumbsucking is probably more of a sign of a deeper underlying issue rather than something that should be the primary focus of concern," says Dr. Stavinoha. The key here is not to pressure your child – he will probably outgrow the habit on his own.

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