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Suggest Treatment For Finger Sucking Addiction In Children
Question: My son has habit of putting middle two fingers in mouth. I need advise on how to avoid this situation?
Brief Answer:
Do not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concerns but do not worry. Thumb and finger sucking are normal behavioural habits in this age. Most kids improve by 2-4 years of age. Rest improve thereafter due to peer pressure. Very few kids require treatment if the habit persists for more than 5 years of age.
Enforcement and punishments can positively reinforce the habit leading to difficulty in correcting the habit later. The best way at present is to remove the fingers in a very subtle way while distracting him and not correcting him all the time. Try to identify triggers such as thirst, hunger, stress, sleep etc. which may help in improving the habit by correcting the triggers.
Hopefully it will be of help.
Take care
Do not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concerns but do not worry. Thumb and finger sucking are normal behavioural habits in this age. Most kids improve by 2-4 years of age. Rest improve thereafter due to peer pressure. Very few kids require treatment if the habit persists for more than 5 years of age.
Enforcement and punishments can positively reinforce the habit leading to difficulty in correcting the habit later. The best way at present is to remove the fingers in a very subtle way while distracting him and not correcting him all the time. Try to identify triggers such as thirst, hunger, stress, sleep etc. which may help in improving the habit by correcting the triggers.
Hopefully it will be of help.
Take care
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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