How to Break a Toddler from Thumb Sucking
|
|
When our little babies begin sucking their thumbs we are often awe inspired at the way they are able to use their own little bodies to bring themselves comfort. Over time, though the things that were cute become habit and can even become a problem. Thumb sucking can become a huge problem and that is why if your toddler is still sucking his or her thumb you need to take steps to stop it. It can be a long process and you will need to be patient while you work with your child on breaking this habit that may have been with him since he or she was an infant.
Breaking the Habit
There are some things you can do with your child or talk about with your child that will help them see that thumb sucking is a negative thing at this point in their life. If your child is at least four or five, he or she could be doing permanent damage to their mouth and their teeth. You can help him or her see the changes that are happening to their teeth and their mouth by having them look in the mirror at their teeth and then comparing them to the teeth of their friends or siblings.
Another great way to help break a toddler from thumb sucking is to talk to them about the germs that are on our hands and how they can make us sick if they get into our mouths. Let your child know that big boys and big girls don’t suck their thumbs, so if they want to be considered a big kid, they need to give up the thumb sucking. Also let them know that they may be teased by other children if they continue to suck their thumb.
Let your child know that they are going to stop sucking their thumb this week. Try to keep their hands as busy as possible this first week with puzzles, drawing, and other activities that will take their mind off of thumb sucking. This will keep them from sucking their thumb and not sucking their thumb for this period of time will not be stressful.
Set up a reward system for your child and allow them to be part of it. Set a goal of going without thumb sucking for one whole day and allow them to pick the reward such as new crayons, dessert after dinner, or a new toy. Praise your child continuously when they are not sucking their thumbs during times when they normally would. Reward your child every other day after the first day.
Nighttime thumb sucking is the hardest to break. When your child goes to bed allow him or her to sleep with their favorite toy or blanket and remind them not to suck their thumb. After they fall asleep, remove the thumb from the mouth. It may take as long as three to six months to stop the nighttime thumb sucking, so be patient and consistent and soon enough you’ll find that your child no longer sucks his or her thumb during the day or night!
Related Articles:
if you have any questions or comments!