Many babies suck their thumb or finger.  It is a way of calming or settling themselves and can help them get to sleep.  Many children do stop before the age of 5, a lot stop when they start school and there is an occasional few that carry it throught for a few more years.  Often when they get loose teeth it discourages them.

What are some of the problems thumb sucking can cause:

• upper and lower teeth pushed out
• the palate changing shape eg. narrowing and become distorted
• incorrect bite of the teeth
• unable to close the lips and/or mouth breathing
• speech problems and sounding out words
• calluses or sores on fingers

How can you help them stop?  Be as positive as you can.  Encourage them not to put their thumb in their mouth or gently remind them to take it out.  Use the good old bandaid around the finger and put it on at a time when you know they suck the most eg, watching tv, bedtime, concentrating or even star charts are helpful if your child responds to them.  Take them to the dentist and have the dentist explain what needs to be done – sometimes coming from somebody else eg. dentist or orthodontist, weighs more.

What are some ways other parents have found works with stopping the thumb sucking?  Would love to hear about it.