Thumbsucking a problem?

Thumbsucking is a common habit of children. Many infants suck their thumbs during their first year of life, and over thirty percent of children continue to suck their thumb during their pre-school years. In addition, five to twenty percent continue this habit after age six.

Thumbsucking is considered normal in young children, and often is connected to some other attachment, like fondness for a favourite blanket or toy.

Many parents worry about a childís prolonged thumbsucking. It may help to know that children do eventually grow out of the habit, most by the time they turn 5.

It isnít necessary to involve a health professional to stop thumbsucking, unless:

The child is 7 years of age or older;
The thumbsucking begins to cause dental problems, like front teeth that stick out abnormally;
Thumb problems such as infections occur;
The thumbsucking seems to be related to an emotional problem;
The childís relationships with friends or family begin to suffer because of the thumbsucking; or
Thumbsucking interferes with normal speech.

To help prevent a thumbsucking problem, parents can give their infant a pacifier as a substitute for thumbsucking. It is important to choose an orthodontically designed model that prevents tongue thrusting and related dental problems.