Hi doctor, my baby is 1 year 4 months old. He is sucking his left thumb finger most of the time.. Initially he had this habit while sleeping and hungry. But now he is sucking his thumb finger most of the time.
How to stop this habit?

Question

Hi doctor, my baby  is 1 year 4 months old. He is sucking his left thumb finger most of the time.. Initially he had this habit while sleeping and hungry. But now he is sucking his thumb finger most of the time. 
How to stop this habit?

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 it.d

2 identify trigger as what led to it. stress ??

3 gentle reminder. do not scold and severely criticize

last option- dentist treatment after 5years .

Answer

Teething maybe happening as during that time also get through this and secondly I would recommend you to apply bitter goird juice onto that area because that is going to help and getting rid of this habit because the taste is very very bad and bitter so I think your child would not like it

Hi doctor, my baby is 1 year 4 months old. He is sucking his left thumb finger most of the time.. Initially he had this habit while sleeping and hungry. But now he is sucking his thumb finger most of the time. How to stop this habit?