It is not really necessary to stop your child from sucking their thumb, as the habit will usually disappear eventually. But there are some ways to recognize why they’re sucking their thumb and to do something about that.
Choose the right time.
Choose a time when you and your child are not experiencing stress or major changes [...]
Children usually stop sucking their thumb when they find other ways to comfort themselves. Between 85% and 99% of children will have stopped thumb sucking spontaneously when they’re about 4 to 5 years old. Many children will still suck their thumbs occasionally for many years beyond that, usually at night or when they’re stressed.
Don’t try [...]
Children who rest their thumb or pacifier passively in their mouth are less likely to have problems than children who suck aggressively. In general we can say that there are some advantages and disadvantages for any child.
The advantages of thumbs over pacifiers are that thumbs are always there, they don’t fall on the floor, they [...]
Don’t be concerned if your baby sucks thumb for a few minutes before mealtimes. It is just because he or she is hungry. Appetite is one of the many reasons babies suck their thumb.
Breastfeeding and thumb sucking
Babies who are breastfed are less likely to suck their thumbs. Breastfeeding usually satisfies the baby’s need to suck. [...]
Children suck their thumbs because it’s comforting and calming. Thumb sucking usually starts before birth and can be a very helpful way for babies to handle tension. As it becomes a habit, children turn to their thumb when tired, hungry, scared, bored, sick, or trying to adjust to challenges. They also use their thumb to [...]
