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8 Ways To Wean Your Baby Off Thumb Sucking

If it seems like an uphill climb, try some effective tips to help your toddler kick the habit.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Mercier Dr. Jennifer Mercier, ND, PhD
By Shaheen Naser Shaheen Naser • Mar 16, 2023

8 Ways To Wean Your Baby Off Thumb Sucking

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Most children have a propensity to suck on their thumbs. This behavior usually begins in early childhood and may progress to the point where you must wean your baby off thumb sucking. Besides being a habit that is unhygienic, thumb sucking can have some adverse effects. For instance, sucking the thumb aggressively and repeatedly can raise your child’s chance of developing oral abnormalities. Continue reading to learn a few tips that may help your child quit sucking their thumb.

In This Article

Why Do Babies Suck Their Thumbs?

Babies usually suck their thumbs as they have natural rooting and sucking reflexes. These reflexes cause them to put their thumbs/fingers inside their mouths. Thumb sucking is also believed to make an infant feel safe and secure. Some babies develop this habit when they are in need of soothing, especially while going to sleep (1).

So, when do babies begin thumb sucking? Find out in the next section.

When Do Babies Start Sucking Their Thumbs?

Babies can start sucking their thumbs from as early as the 29th week of gestationⁱXThe period or process of development of a fetus inside the womb from the time of conception till birth. . This habit develops as they are born and may continue up to 2-3 years. However, most children stop doing this by the time they are 6 months old.

Thumb sucking is not a major issue in children. In fact, it is not of much concern until a child’s permanent teeth begin appearing. Once the permanent teeth begin to appear, it is best for your child to stop this habit to prevent damage to the teeth or problems with jaw alignment (2).

Most children tend to stop thumb sucking on their own. However, if this is carried too far, it may be time for you to intervene and help your child break this habit.

Listed below are some effective ways that can assist in stopping your child from sucking his/her thumb.

8 Best Ways To Stop Thumb Sucking In Babies

How To Stop Thumb Sucking In Babies

1. Try And Limit The Time

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Start by limiting your child’s thumb sucking habit to the bedroom or before a nap. Try and explain to them that sucking the thumb is not to be done in public.

Quick Tip

Let the child know that they have a certain time limit (for instance, 10 minutes) to suck their thumb in the bedroom. Slowly decrease that time limit over a period of weeks or days until they stop completely.

2. Warn About Germs

Warn your child about the germs on his/her hands and how sucking the thumb can cause infectious germs to spread and trigger diseases. The fear of ingesting harmful germs may make some children give up the habit of thumb sucking.

3. Try Out Some Chewelry

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Switching to chewelry, which is basically chewable jewelry, can help your toddler quit thumb sucking. You may find many options for this online.

4. Observe When They Tend To Do It

Children tend to suck their thumbs either during a nap or while watching television. Observe your child’s favorite thumb sucking time. If it is while watching television, go ahead and switch it off for a few minutes. You can also put a piece of chewelry in their mouth during bedtime to help your child stop thumb sucking.

Quick Tip

If you notice your child sucking their thumb when they want to feel secure, start engaging them. Make sure to give them a hug and hold their hands. If your child is a little older, ask them questions about why they feel insecure or scared. Don’t let them suck their thumb at this time. The child will slowly begin to depend on you for comfort and security instead of sucking on their thumb.

5. Praise Or Reward

Mother rewarding kid for not sucking thumb

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Praise or reward your toddler every time he/she does not have the thumb in the mouth. Give a sticker for every hour your child goes without sucking his/her thumb. This may make them put more effort into quitting the habit.

6. Avoid Using Finger Gloves/Covers

Don’t put on a pair of gloves/covers on your toddler’s hands to make him/her quit the habit. This will only increase your child’s anxiety. And when they are old enough, they may just remove the gloves and suck their thumbs again. Instead, help them out of it slowly.

7. Divert Their Attention

Mother distracting baby from thumb sucking with paintings and book

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Try to divert your baby’s attention every time you see him/her sucking the thumb. Give them a stress ball if you think they are sucking their thumb when they are nervous. If the toddler has been sucking his/her thumb when bored, make the child draw, paint, or play with toys instead.

8. Be Patient

Remember, thumb sucking is a common habit in most kids. A majority of children give up sucking their thumb on their own with time. So, be a little patient and wait for them to stop it on their own.

While thumb sucking may seem soothing and calming to the baby in the initial stages, it also comes with its share of side effects. These side effects are usually quite gradual and occur in those children who suck their thumb vigorously and all too often.

What Are The Side Effects Of Thumb Sucking?

Baby having bone deformities for thumb sucking

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The side effects of thumb sucking are:

Jaw deformities as the child enters adulthood
Damage to the teeth alignment
Teeth may be pushed around, resulting in an overbiteⁱXA dental misalignment in which the upper set of teeth protrude beyond the lower set of teeth. It is also called buck teeth. or underbiteⁱXA dental misalignment in which the lower teeth project beyond the upper set. It is also called teeth overcrowding.
Formation of a lispⁱXA type of speech impairment in which a person has trouble pronouncing sibilant sounds, such as “s,” “sh,” “z,” etc. due to problems with alignment of the jawbone
Alteration of the roof of the mouth (palate)
Bone deformities in the finger (3)
Spreading of infectious germs

Thumb sucking in babies and children is quite common and is considered a manifestation of their natural rooting and sucking reflexes. Babies may begin sucking their thumbs for self-soothing and a sense of comfort soon after they are born. While most babies drop this habit by the time they turn six months of age, you may need to wean your baby off thumb sucking if it continues into toddler years. The habit is not only unsightly and unhygienic but may also lead to oral structural deformities once the permanent teeth start showing up. Diversion techniques, patience, ‘chewellry’, praise and reward are some of the common practices to help children let go of a thumb sucking habit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is worse – the thumb or the pacifier?

Interestingly, both the thumb and the pacifier move a baby’s teeth similarly. Sucking on a thumb or a pacifier is not always harmful unless it develops into a habit. You must ensure that the baby stops before they reach the age of three. Beyond that age, it can impact their dental development, resulting in crooked permanent teeth, a misaligned bite, and speech issues. However, remember that the pacifier can be removed, whereas the thumb cannot! As a result, pacifiers are preferable to thumb sucking.

Is thumb sucking hereditary?

No, thumb sucking is not hereditary. It is usually an indicator of a baby’s feelings of insecurity.

Key Takeaways

Thumb sucking can spread germs and damage your child’s teeth alignment.
Provide your child with chewable jewelry to deviate from their thumb-sucking habit.
Praise or reward your child every hour to make them stop thumb-sucking.
Observe when they tend to suck their thumb. If they do it when they are scared, then try to engage them to make them safe.
Jaw deformities and speech problems are common in children with thumb-sucking habits.