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Suggest Ways To Wean Off The Habit Of Sucking Thumb In Children
Question: My 3 children of 3yrs, 1,5yrs and 12weeks are all sucking thumb! Please advise how can stop this habit? The 3yrs old's upper jaw is starting to move.
Brief Answer:
Try positive reinforcements
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic.
Thumb-sucking is a normal, natural behavior for many children which they do to comfort themselves and to alleviate anxiety. Generally, it does not need correction if it does not continue past 2-4 years of age and most children will give it up before starting kindergarten. You need to watch for triggers that make them do it. Often they use behaviors like thumbsucking to get attention from adults. In such a case it might be best to ignore it.
Many methods have been tried for alleviating the problem of thumb sucking. I feel that positive reinforcement in the form of verbal praise to your child for NOT sucking their thumb one of the best ways to encourage behavior change in children. You could also set up a simple reward system by putting a sticker or star mark on the calendar for every day your child does not suck their thumb and at the end of a week with no thumbsucking, give your child a small reward or prize and a slightly larger one the end of a month. Gradually extend the length of time required to earn rewards. Generally the habit automatically decreases and fades off.
Hope that helps.
Try positive reinforcements
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic.
Thumb-sucking is a normal, natural behavior for many children which they do to comfort themselves and to alleviate anxiety. Generally, it does not need correction if it does not continue past 2-4 years of age and most children will give it up before starting kindergarten. You need to watch for triggers that make them do it. Often they use behaviors like thumbsucking to get attention from adults. In such a case it might be best to ignore it.
Many methods have been tried for alleviating the problem of thumb sucking. I feel that positive reinforcement in the form of verbal praise to your child for NOT sucking their thumb one of the best ways to encourage behavior change in children. You could also set up a simple reward system by putting a sticker or star mark on the calendar for every day your child does not suck their thumb and at the end of a week with no thumbsucking, give your child a small reward or prize and a slightly larger one the end of a month. Gradually extend the length of time required to earn rewards. Generally the habit automatically decreases and fades off.
Hope that helps.
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. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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