One of the characteristics of babies or toddlers is that they like to suck their thumbs. As parents, we’re very concerned about this especially when we think about hygiene. We worry germs that stick to children’s fingers might get into their bodies.
Before we talk about this in detail, there are several factors that can contribute to babies or toddlers sucking their thumbs:
- Self-soothing: Sucking on fingers or thumbs can provide comfort and help babies and toddlers self-soothe when they feel tired, stressed, or anxious. It can be a way for them to regulate their emotions and find comfort in familiar actions.
- Hunger or thirst: Babies may suck on their thumbs as a way to indicate hunger or thirst. It can be a cue for feeding, especially in younger infants who haven’t developed more specific communication skills.
- Teething: When babies are teething, they may experience discomfort or pain in their gums. Sucking on thumbs can provide relief and help alleviate the discomfort caused by teething.
- Exploration: Babies and toddlers use their mouths to explore the world around them. Sucking on thumbs is a natural part of their developmental process as they learn about their bodies and develop their oral sensory experiences.
- Mimicking: Sometimes, babies or toddlers observe older siblings or peers sucking their fingers and imitate the behavior. This can be a way of learning and socializing with others.
But… is it normal?
Yes, it is quite normal for babies and toddlers to suck their thumbs. This behavior is considered a natural self-soothing mechanism that provides comfort and security to infants.
Thumb sucking can begin in the womb and often continues during the early years of a child’s life. It is a common behavior and typically nothing to be concerned about. Most toddlers tend to outgrow thumb sucking on their own as they grow older and find alternative ways to soothe themselves.
However, if the habit persists beyond the age of 4 or 5 and starts to affect the child’s teeth alignment or speech development, it might be worth discussing with a pediatrician or dentist.
They can provide guidance on ways to gently discourage the habit or assess if any intervention is necessary.
It’s important to approach this habit with patience and understanding, as scolding or shaming a child for thumb sucking can be counterproductive and may lead to increased anxiety.
More info about thumb sucking habit. Watch it HERE.
Do you facing this problem right now?