Can The Habit Of Sticking The Thumb In A Toddler Be Weaned Off And Cured?
Normal at this age. Needs intervention if persists beyond 3 years of age.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Let me assure you that for a child of this age it is normal to suck thumb and nothing needs to be done about it. More importantly, it is an indication that the child is feeling alone and left out and so you need to increase your interaction with him. However, you are free to intervene with the thumb sucking habit but make sure that you do not use force. Watching TV and sleeping are two common times when a child sucks thumb. Identify your child’s problem times and then have your child help you devise a quitting plan that focuses on these times. If nighttime is a problem, try putting socks on hands before bed and attaching the socks to pajama sleeves with safety pins. If watching TV is a problem, try turning off the TV for 5 or 10 minutes every time a child is caught sucking.
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Regards