Thumb sucking is a natural phenomenon of babies. Researches say thumb sucking soothes babies and they have natural urge to suck their thumb. This post describes effective tips to stop thumb sucking habit in kids.
This habit gradually decreases between the age 3 to 5. Usually babies and young children use it to comfort them, when they feel hungry or when they feel sleepy.
In few cases, children do not stop sucking their thumb even after six years of age. This is the concerned part of which the child may do it because of some disorders due to anxiety or some emotional problems. Prolonged thumb sucking may affect the teeth alignment or may cause speech disorders. Hence, treating it at the right moment will help the child getting into troubles.
Here comes the ordeal to help them quit this habit. This is going to be a difficult task, but sure can be treated if noticed early and properly. So, below are the tips to stop Thumb Sucking habit in Kids.
Tips to stop Thumb Sucking habit in Kids
- Firstly, keep a check on your child as to when is your child sucking it’s thumb. Is it because of anxiety or fear or stress or only during sleep. Once this is observed, it is easy to assist the child quit the habit quickly.
- At home, treatment includes parents setting rules and providing distractions. It may help to limit the times and places that your child is allowed to suck his or her thumb and to put away blankets or other items your child associates with thumb-sucking.
- Putting gloves on your child’s hands or wrapping the thumb with an adhesive bandage or a cloth may help remind your child not to suck the thumb. Personally, I have seen grannies applying neem oil on the thumb to help the child quit the habit as this would taste bitter when the thumb is sucked. This is effective in few cases.
- Rewarding your child whenever he/she does not involve in thumb sucking will motivate them to quit.
- Don’t shame or punish them as it would demotivated and lower their self esteem. Be positive and patient. Appreciate them if they trying to refrain them from this habit.
- If all these does not go well, consult your pediatrician and seek for medical help.
So, these were the tips to stop thumb sucking habit in kids. Hope this article would help those mums who face this problem.
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