Finger/thumb sucking is completely normal for babies specially during their first 2 years. It helps them feel more relaxed & make them feel calmer. They also use it in cases of severe anxiety.
Thumb sucking helps babies during their sleep to get more comfortable.
Most parents get confused whether or not to force their babies to stop this habit. And if it is harmful for their babies’ mouth, teeth, & fingers, & when they should take an action.
Although thumb sucking is not a dangerous habit yet it can cause some problems for your baby later. So, in this article we will give you some tips that you can follow to help your baby get rid of this habit safely.
1- Urge your baby to limit sucking his thumb when you are outdoors. This act will help limit his sucking & prevent turning it into a habit.
2- Avoid embarrassing your baby in public as this can make things get worse. You can just alert him gently by a hand signal that no one else would notice.
3- Encourage & praise him from time to time; you can surprise him with small gifts & outings.
4- Sometimes gloves can help limit sucking but first you have to make sure it will be okay for him. Forcing him will not be the best solution.
5- Use his favorite movie characters & heroes. Ask him if he thinks that “name of the character” suck his thumbs at night? In this way you are increasing his awareness about the issue & let him decide on his own to stop this habit forever.