5 Questions To Ask In Regards To Children And Thumb Sucking
5 Questions To Ask In Regards To Children And Thumb Sucking
If you’re one of the numerous parents all over the world who wonders just how big of a deal it is that your child sucks their thumb, don’t worry; you’re not the only one. And as far as the question as to whether or not it’s a big deal, the answer is: it depends.
On one hand, the problems of thumb-sucking are relatively obvious. Children sucking their thumb can result in what’s known as an interior open bit, which is when the teeth on the top and on the bottom front don’t touch each other. This creates a gap in the child’s mouth, which will impact a child’s ability to swallow. In extreme cases, this can lead to issues with children being able to feed themselves overall.
But on the other hand, thumb-sucking — or non-nutritive sucking habits — almost feels like a right of passage, considering that an estimated 85 to 90% (or more) of children suck their fingers or their thumb when they’re children.
So with all of that being said, how do you know if your child’s thumb-sucking presents a larger problem at hand? There are five keys you should look for:
How Old Are They?
Generally speaking, most children stop sucking their thumb around the age of three or four years old. If they’re on the older side of this spectrum, that’s when you need to address the behavior more drastically, as prolonging the behavior could have longer-term consequences.
How Frequently Do They Suck Their Thumb?
Is your child’s thumb seemingly attached to their mouth like there’s a magnetic connection? Or does the behavior take place during particular routines, like nap time or bedtime? As you might guess, the more frequently it takes place, the greater the chance for long-term damage.
How Long Do They Suck Their Thumb?
When your child sucks their thumb, how long does the behavior take place? For some children, it might only last in the neighborhood of 10 to 15 minutes. If it’s for short periods of time like that, you’re probably on the safe side. But for longer sessions of thumb sucking, that’s when you begin to potentially deal with long-term risks.
How Intensely Do They Suck Their Thumb?
Does your child suck their thumb like their life seemingly depends on it? Or is their thumb and their hand dangling loosely from their mouth? Again, the more intensity and pressure applied to the thumb-sucking process, the more potential there is for that behavior to lead to problems.
When Does Your Child Suck Their Thumb?
Usually, thumb-sucking is something of a coping mechanism for a child, so it’s best to identify the particular instances when they’re sucking their thumb. You might find that the behavior is onset by an external stressor, which you can then identify and try to ameliorate in a variety of ways.
How To Stop Thumb Sucking
Based on the questions above, you see there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all solution to addressing the problem of thumb-sucking. Rather, you want to ask yourself the main questions about the triggers and the extent of the behavior, and with your family and your pediatrician, come up with a concerted way to overcome this habit.