#asktheexperts

sir, My baby drinking thumb.. how to remove it

Question

#asktheexperts

sir, My baby drinking thumb.. how to remove it

Accepted Answer

babies have natural rooting and sucking reflexes, which can cause them to put their thumbs or fingers into their mouths . 
because thumb sucking makes babies feel secure, some babies might eventually develop a habit of thumb sucking when they're in need of soothing or going to sleep.
sometimes due to stress also this can occur.
it is many times increased during the teething process also.
you can wait till max till permanent tooth eruption starts
most experts agree that a thumb-sucker younger than 5 shouldn't be pressured to stop

stop by
1 positive reinforcement : praise when child does not do it. also offer bed time stories and outside entertainment when child does not do ift.

2 identify trigger as what led to it. stress ??
c
3 gentle reminder. do not scold and severely criticize

last option- dentist treatment after 5years .

Accepted Answer

There could be numerous reasons for a baby sucking their thumb. From beating away boredom to keeping anxiety at bay, it helps your child cope with the environment. While many parents look down upon it, it is actually an act of emotional maturity. It is a sign that the child is asserting independence. Rather than crying or seeking you out, they have used their own resources to adapt to their surroundings.Open up a dialogue. ...Learn about thumb sucking together.Apply bitter nail polish. ...Observe thumb-sucking patterns. ...Offer rewards and incentives. ...Use a finger guard. ...Establish rules or boundaries. ...Try role playing.One of the biggest mistakes that parents make is getting upset about thumb sucking. As the behaviour is prompted due to anxiety, adding negativity is only going to increase the stress level for the infant.Most infants eventually grow out of the habit without any intervention being needed.Find out when your baby starts sucking on his thumb. These should help you identify the triggers for thumb sucking, such as watching television or being left alone in a room. You could distract your child using words or actions when you are in the room. In case you need to go out of your baby’s field of vision, get a toy that you know would keep him engagedOne can use pacifiers to wean their infants away from thumb sucking. Choose specific times during the day when they can use the pacifier and gradually reduce the timing till they don’t require it anymore.Apply some bitter ointment (that is safe to consume) on your child’s thumb to wean him away from the habit. Avoid making it a punishment by showing constant affection.You can try to physically cover the hands with the help of some soft gloves, mittens or a thumb guard.