Thumbsucking Cures
Infants, toddlers, and young children often develop the habit of sucking their thumbs. World-renowned child-care expert Benjamin Spock says not to worry about thumb sucking unless the child is over the age of 6, at which point this habit can interfere with the proper development of permanent teeth. If your child wants to stop sucking his thumb, you can use positive rewards to help encourage new habits.
-
Increase Feeding Time
-
Dr. Spock says that infants suck their thumbs when they are hungry, and feeding them more or more often will help curb this habit before it begins. If your infant learns not to suck his thumb, he may not do it at all when he is older.
Rewards Chart
-
Children over the age of 4 can use a rewards chart to help them stop sucking their thumb. Make a brightly-colored chart and use stickers to mark each day that your child does not engage in this activity. When your child earns a certain number of stickers, give him a reward such as an inexpensive toy or a trip to a favorite restaurant. Use stickers the child enjoys, such as fuzzy stickers or stickers of characters from her favorite TV show to help motivate your child.
Physical Deterrents
-
You can put bad-tasting substances on the child's thumb or put an elastic band on his elbow so that it pinches slightly when he raises his thumb to his mouth. These deterrents may discourage your child from thumb sucking; however, Dr. Spock suggests that you only use them if the child himself expresses a desire to stop. Otherwise your child may rebel, act out, or become angry that she can't engage in her favorite habit.
-