So, You've Got Yourself A Thumb Sucker... I Asked A Doctor How (And When) To Help Them Stop

My toddler loves her thumb more than anything. If she’s tired, worried or even bored, her little thumb will make its way to her mouth and she’ll be tugging at her ear or stroking her nose, happily sucking away. 

At night, after stories, she’ll lie down in her bed and self-soothe with it. Honestly, the first time she did it, I thought I’d won the parenting lottery. 

But as she’s getting older, I’m suddenly wondering: do I need to play a part in helping her kick this adorable habit at some point soon? 

According to Dr Irene Kaimakamis, a dentist verified on the healthcare review platform Doctify and founder of K Dental Studios, thumb sucking can eventually lead to narrowing of the palate and bite changes.

Not exactly music to my ears. So, I asked a paediatrician: where do I go from here?

Thumb sucking is super common 

First of all, do not panic. Plenty of kids suck their thumbs and it typically comes to an end on its own.

Dr Arindam Das, a consultant paediatrician, also verified on Doctify, told HuffPost UK: “Thumb sucking is very common in infancy and early childhood and is generally considered a normal self-soothing behaviour. In most children, it settles spontaneously by around 3-4 years of age.”

But, per Bupa, one in eight children aged 7-11 has a prolonged thumb sucking habit – with girls more likely to do it than boys. And if the habit continues beyond seven, it can lead to dental problems.

“We usually advise parents not to intervene early unless the behaviour is persistent, intense, or associated with other concerns,” said Dr Das. 

“Gentle encouragement can be considered [to help them stop] from around 4-5 years, particularly if thumb sucking continues during the day or begins to affect dentition or speech.”

How to help a child stop sucking their thumb

If your child is older and you’d like to help them stop (perhaps because your dentist has picked up on changes in their mouth), Dr Das suggested the most effective approaches are “supportive rather than punitive”.

These include:

• Positive reinforcement and praise for periods without thumb sucking.
• Identifying triggers such as tiredness, stress, or boredom and addressing these.
• Offering alternative comfort strategies (for example, cuddly toys or calming routines).
• Avoiding shaming or punishment, which can increase anxiety and worsen the habit.

Bupa also recommended it could be helpful to use reward charts and/or a physical barrier, like a cotton glove, bandage or plaster.

Dr Das concluded: “If thumb sucking persists beyond five years or there are concerns about dental alignment [or] palatal problems, involvement of a dentist or orthodontist and/or a paediatrician may be helpful...”

Noted!