How to Stop Thumb Sucking in Kids: Causes & How to Break the Habit

How can you stop your child from sucking his or her thumb? Do you know why your child enjoys this habit, and what are the potential ill effects of continuous thumb sucking? Understanding the root cause and consequences can help you address the issue effectively. Keep reading to get all the answers and practical solutions to guide your child toward healthier habits.

Thumb sucking is a fairly common habit among young children, often serving as a source of comfort and security. While most children outgrow it naturally, some struggle to quit, requiring gentle intervention from parents. Prolonged thumb sucking can lead to problems as the child grows older. In such cases parent may feel the need to intervene and put a stop to the thumb sucking habit.

Why Do Kids Suck Their Thumb?

As per child experts, here are the three most common reasons children suck their thumbs (1):

• Helps them cope: For most children, thumb sucking is a coping mechanism. Babies have a natural tendency to suck.
• Makes them feel calmer: Baby thumb sucking is a way for the child to deal with anxiety and stress. It makes them feel calm and helps them deal with stressful situations
• Feels good to them: Sometimes, babies start sucking their thumbs simply because it feels good to them
• Helps them sleep: Some children suck their thumb to help fall asleep or soothe themselves if they wake up at night

Most children stop sucking their thumbs on their own between the ages of two and four as they learn new coping methods. Some kids find this habit a lot harder to shake.

If your child is still sucking his thumb after the age of 4 or 5, then you may need to intervene. It is time to step in with some thumb sucking remedies or replacement behavior for thumbsucking.

Why Is Thumb Sucking Bad?

Thumb sucking beyond a certain age can start to have detrimental effects on your child’s teeth. Excessive and aggressive thumb sucking can cause damage to the soft tissue of the palate and the sides of the jaw. This is why thumb sucking is bad. Some of the ill effects are (2):

• The upper and lower teeth may not meet properly
• The child may need braces
• There might be speech problems, such as a lisp
• The overall structure of the mouth and jaw might be affected

How Long Does Thumb Sucking Last in Kids?

Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for infants and toddlers, often starting as early as in the womb, and most children outgrow it between the ages of 2 and 4 years old. However, some may continue the habit until age 5 or older, especially if they use it for comfort during stress, boredom, or sleep (3). The duration varies depending on the child’s emotional needs and habits, but with patience and encouragement, most kids eventually leave the habit behind on their own.

Should You Stop the Thumb Sucking Habit of your Child?

Yes, as discussed earlier, if your child is still sucking his thumb after age 4 or 5 years, it may be time to help him drop the habit. Not doing so can have side effects on his health.

However, keep in mind that eventually, the habit will stop as your child grows out of it. Peer pressure is one of the reasons children stop day time thumb sucking. If you put too much pressure on your child to stop the thumb sucking, you will only give them more stress and this could end up delaying the process even longer.

How to Stop Thumb Sucking

Wondering how to avoid thumb sucking? So, how to stop a child from sucking their thumb? Here are some doctor-approved methods you can try to answer how to stop thumb sucking. They will help your little one get over the habit and protect them from the ill-effects of prolonged thumb sucking (4).

1. Don’t use harsh methods

Do not use the products that are meant to cover your child’s thumb and cause a bad taste in their mouth. Some parents use gloves, bitter-tasting ointments, etc., to discourage thumb sucking. However, these types of techniques are cruel and will only cause trauma to your child. The thumb is a source of comfort for them and so you should not snatch it away.

2. Find out the cause of thumb-sucking

Pay attention to why your child sucks his or her thumb. Is it a way for them to get your attention? If yes then the best way to stop the habit would be to not give it any attention. If your child uses thumb sucking to cope with anxiety or stress then you should try finding the root of the problem. What is causing the anxiety? Finding the cause and addressing it is the best way to stop thumb sucking.

3. Help your child stop passive thumb sucking

If your child is sucking on the thumb without even realizing it then you should point it out. Don’t be harsh or critical, just casually point out that they have their thumb in their mouth.

4. Give them an alternate means of comfort

Provide your child with an alternate means of coping with some kind words and a few hugs. This will teach them that they do not have to rely on their thumb for comfort. You can also give them a soft toy, a rubber ball, finger puppets, etc., as these items will keep their hands occupied and also distract them from anxiety. This is one of the best and natural ways to stop thumb sucking.

5. Use positive reinforcement or rewards

Your encouragement and support is the best remedy for your child’s anxiety. If your child successfully keeps away from thumb sucking for a certain time period, reward him with a little gift, for example, an extra story at bed-time or a cuddly toy. Positive reinforcement is excellent for building good habits. Do not punish or scold your child if they fail at it on occasion.

FAQs

1. Are there specific times of day when it’s easier to discourage thumb sucking?

Focus on daytime distractions first (e.g., playtime or crafts) before tackling nighttime habits. Kids often suck thumbs unconsciously when tired or bored, so engaging them during idle moments can reduce the urge.

2. Could a vitamin deficiency be linked to prolonged thumb sucking?

Rarely, but some studies suggest habits like thumb sucking may persist in children with iron deficiency (anemia) or anxiety-related nutrient gaps. Consult a pediatrician if the habit coincides with other signs like fatigue or pale skin.

3. Are there genetic factors that make thumb sucking harder to stop?

Some children may have a stronger oral fixation due to genetic predispositions (like a family history of similar habits) or sensory-seeking behaviors. In such cases, alternatives like chewable jewelry or textured teethers may help transition them away from thumb sucking.

Finally, do not be too alarmed or too aggressive with your attempts to stop thumb sucking. Your child will stop when he or she feels ready to let it go. If the above ways to stop sucking your thumb are not helping and you are worried about your child, don’t hesitate from consulting the paediatrician.

References/Resources:

1. National Library of Medicine – Thumb Sucking

2. American Dental Association – Thumbsucking

3. Mayo Clinic – Thumb sucking: Help your child break the habit

4. American Academy of Pediatrics – Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking

Also Read:

How to Deal with a Stubborn Child
Tips to Deal With a Defiant Child
Toddler Putting Everything in Mouth
Why Do Kids Tattle and How to Deal With It?

Our Editorial Policy

Parenting is a huge responsibility, for you as a caregiver, but also for us as a parenting content platform. We understand that and take our responsibility of creating credible content seriously. FirstCry Parenting articles are written and published only after extensive research using factually sound references to deliver quality content that is accurate, validated by experts, and completely reliable. To understand how we go about creating content that is credible, read our editorial policy here.