A baby inside the mother’s womb starts sucking its thumb after 29 weeks. So, there is nothing unnatural about this habit. The so-called non-nutritive sucking is perfectly normal and natural. Here, we will discuss in detail about “thumb-sucking“.
It happens because the baby associates the pleasurable stimulation of lips and mouth with pleasant feelings like satiety (being full after feeds) or being held. However, the persistence of this habit often indicates underlying anxiety, emotional stress, or frustration in the child.
As a majority of children up to the age of 4 years suck thumbs at least occasionally, clinically. The habit is considered significant only after that age.
In most sucking thumb children above the age of 4 years, this habit is annoying but not worrisome. But in some children, the duration, frequency, and intensity of thumb-sucking are greater, and, among them, adverse long-term effects are possible.
Thumb-Sucking Habit
A severe habit of sucking thumb could lead to problems in teeth, facial structure, and obviously in the thumb.
Dental malalignment, disturbances in jaw bones and joints, disturbed placement and function of lips or tongue, and injuries to soft tissue in the mouth are possible effects on the mouth and face. The thumb is sucked vigorously and could become bent or deformed. Thumb soreness, callosities (thickened skin), irritant eczema, and acute or chronic nail infections (e.g., herpetic whit-low) are also possible.
The psychosocial effects of this are much more damaging. In one study of school children, thumb-suckers were found to be unpopular and considered less intelligent and attractive by peers. Add to this the stress of having to endure the taunts and reprimands by parents, teachers, and schoolmates.
How to stop thumb sucking?
In the majority of cases, just assuring the child of parental love and support is enough to rid the child of the habit. The parents should try and ignore the habit without making it a major issue as it usually subsides on its own. They should encourage the child’s efforts in tackling this habit.
Parents should make an effort to identify and remove any underlying cause of anxiety or stress.
Parental scolding and negative attitude make the problem worse. That is why the famous pediatrician Dr. Spock once said, “The danger of thumb sucking is not in the habit itself but in what parents do about it.”
Professional treatment is needed only in children over 4 years of age, who show adverse effects of the habit. Physical barriers like mittens, socks, or bandages; orthodontic appliances; aversive taste formula applications. In some cases, Psychotherapy are the treatment modalities available.
The aversive taste formula is bitter or sour and is applied on the thumb. So that the child’s aversion to the taste discourages sucking the thumb. Application of the formula, coupled with a reward system for not sucking the thumb, should be used after taking the child into confidence about what is being done and why.
A final word of advice
Thumb-sucking is considered normal up to the age of 4 years. Identify and correct any underlying stress or anxiety in the child. Assure the child of parental love and support and avoid scolding and negative attitude.