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How Can I Help My 6-year-old Wean Off The Habit Of Sucking Her Thumb While Sleeping?
Question: hello doctor,
my daughter who is six years old has the habit of thumb sucking, primarily during night when she is asleep. We haven't tried any medications or similar things thinking the habit would slowly go away and have been trying to get rid of the habit using techniques like rewarding her when she sleeps without sucking her thumb but this is not helping.
Looking out for some help/advice on how to break this habit of hers
my daughter who is six years old has the habit of thumb sucking, primarily during night when she is asleep. We haven't tried any medications or similar things thinking the habit would slowly go away and have been trying to get rid of the habit using techniques like rewarding her when she sleeps without sucking her thumb but this is not helping.
Looking out for some help/advice on how to break this habit of hers
Brief Answer:
Suggestions on thumb sucking
Detailed Answer:
Hi...usually kids do this thumb sucking as a relief seeking behavior or self comfort. This is not a major problem and need not be taken into too much account till 6 years of age. Most children can safely suck their thumb – without damaging the alignment of their teeth or jaws – until their permanent teeth begin to appear that is 6 years of age.
Suggestions -
1. Try wrapping the whole palm till wrist if she does it - so that she will not be able to suck the thumb.
2. If she just keeps the thumb inside and doesn't suck vigorously - nothing will happen to the teeth alignment - so do not worry.
3. Punishing her to get her thumb out of her mouth won't help because she probably doesn't even realize she's doing it. Pressuring her to stop may intensify her desire to do it even more.
4. Children usually give up thumb-sucking when they find other ways to calm and comfort themselves.
5. If you can identify the times and places when your preschooler is most likely to suck her thumb – while watching television, for instance – consider distracting her with a substitute activity, such as a rubber ball to squeeze or finger puppets to play with.
6. Try to praise the kid if she stops thumb sucking at your behest.
7. The other medication option is to use Denatonium lotion applied thrice a day. The bitter taste and the offensive smell will be a take out factor.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Ask a doctor are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Suggestions on thumb sucking
Detailed Answer:
Hi...usually kids do this thumb sucking as a relief seeking behavior or self comfort. This is not a major problem and need not be taken into too much account till 6 years of age. Most children can safely suck their thumb – without damaging the alignment of their teeth or jaws – until their permanent teeth begin to appear that is 6 years of age.
Suggestions -
1. Try wrapping the whole palm till wrist if she does it - so that she will not be able to suck the thumb.
2. If she just keeps the thumb inside and doesn't suck vigorously - nothing will happen to the teeth alignment - so do not worry.
3. Punishing her to get her thumb out of her mouth won't help because she probably doesn't even realize she's doing it. Pressuring her to stop may intensify her desire to do it even more.
4. Children usually give up thumb-sucking when they find other ways to calm and comfort themselves.
5. If you can identify the times and places when your preschooler is most likely to suck her thumb – while watching television, for instance – consider distracting her with a substitute activity, such as a rubber ball to squeeze or finger puppets to play with.
6. Try to praise the kid if she stops thumb sucking at your behest.
7. The other medication option is to use Denatonium lotion applied thrice a day. The bitter taste and the offensive smell will be a take out factor.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Ask a doctor are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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