How to Break the Thumb-Sucking Habit

Babies learn to suck their thumbs in the womb as a self-pacification method. This practice often continues into a child's early years, but it should be stopped by age five, according to Medicine Net. Thumb sucking makes children a target of teasing once they start school. Also, thumb sucking can cause speech and dental problems if left unchecked. With encouragement and teaching, you can break your child of a thumb-sucking habit before it gets out of hand.

Instructions

    • 1

      Talk to your child about the problems with the thumb-sucking habit. Let him know that he is too old to suck his thumb and that it can cause problems if he doesn't stop.

    • 2

      Remind your child that she's supposed to stop sucking her thumb any time she does it. Even if she stops in front of you, she might still suck her thumb at night or when she's alone.

    • 3

      Place an unpleasant-tasting liquid on your child's thumbnails before bed to discourage putting his thumbs in his mouth. Perfume, hot sauce or over-the-counter substances can help the child associate thumb sucking with a bad taste.

    • 4

      Wrap your child's thumbs with bandages or gloves before bed so she gets less pleasure out of sucking her thumbs.

    • 5

      Make your child suck his thumb in front of a mirror to show him how he looks when he does it.

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