Thumb sucking is a common behaviour in young children that raises many questions and controversies. Is it just an innocent habit or could it signal something more? Let's go through the issue, from initial feelings to possible alarm signals.
Thumb sucking in children is one of those behaviours that can cause mixed feelings for parents and carers. For many toddlers, it is ways of dealing with difficult emotions, boredom or fatigue. However, there are many opinions on whether thumb sucking is just a habit or a signal we should pay attention to.
Why do babies suck their thumb?
Babies automatically direct their hands to their mouths. In this way they learn about their bodies and develop sensitivity in the mouth. Sucking has a soothing effect on babies, calming them down and giving them a sense of security. Suction reflex is an innate reflex and one of the strongest reflexes in the newborn, as it determines the survival of the baby. Therefore, if this reflex survives, it can be a big problem because it is not easy for the baby to give it up. Most babies suck their whole hands or different fingers, but there are babies who choose only one thumb and suck it with great frequency and adoration.
Thumb sucking can serve a variety of functions, as every child is different and has different needs. Often it is a way of self-regulating emotions and comforting oneself in difficult situations. For some toddlers it is natural stress response or anxiety.
Child psychology research suggest that thumb sucking may serve as a mechanism for self-regulation of emotions. Children often reach for their thumb in stressful or overwhelming situations as a way of comforting themselves and relieving negative emotions. Thumb sucking can be a way for them to cope with difficulties, providing a sense of security and comfort.
Some children suck their thumb because they need extra stimulation in the oral cavity. It is then worth consulting a sensory integration therapist.
Thumb sucking - is it just an innocent habit?
Most children eventually stop sucking their thumb spontaneously as they grow and develop emotionally. However, there are situations in which thumb sucking can develop into a habit that is difficult to break, requiring help from carers, paediatric neurologist or psychologist.
Long-term thumb sucking can lead to dental and oral appearance problems, requiring dental intervention. In addition, there are concerns that excessive thumb sucking may be related to deeper emotional or psychological problems. In some cases, thumb sucking can become a way of coping with emotional difficulties that require further and deeper understanding and support.
Children who already understand that they are too big to suck their thumb may feel shame and guilt, especially if other children laugh at them. The need to suck and the habit are so strong that children suck their thumb secretly in difficult situations, and later feel ashamed and guilty for doing it. The situation worsens and the child feels worse and worse. Therefore, it is important for the parent to help the child out of this situation, which is becoming increasingly difficult for the child emotionally.
What can prolonged thumb sucking lead to?
- Thumb deformity
- Malocclusion
- Pronunciation defects
- Skin diseases of the thumb, even ulceration
- Decreased tongue and lip activity
- Surviving infantile swallowing patterns
- Highly arched palate
What to do if your child sucks his thumb?
There is no single way to eliminate the thumb-sucking habit. It is often a complex problem that requires time and the cooperation of parents and therapists.
If the child is tiny, sucking is a natural developmental stage and just as the baby has started sucking his thumb on his own, he will naturally stop doing so.
In the past, methods such as taping the thumb, wearing gloves, lubricating with mustard or bitter nail varnish were popular. These methods are now being abandoned because psychology points out that need to suck thumb has not been replaced by another habit in the child. In the case of babies who suck their thumb and have a strong need to suck, we can give them a bite or a dummy. This solution may have opponents, but it has one important and undeniable advantage over thumb-sucking: you can take the dummy or teether away from the child at any time, with the thumb we do not have this possibility. The thumb is hard and not adapted to the structure of the palate and therefore deforms the teeth and palate.
In older children, you can try to distract them from the sucking activity. These can include playing with their hands, e.g. clapping with saying rhymes, singing songs with showing hands, drawing, putting blocks or puzzles together.
However, if you notice that thumb sucking takes too long and is the only way to deal with emotion regulation, act. Before it becomes a problem for your child and the whole family, do not hesitate to seek medical advice, a child psychologist or neurologist. Support your child by offering yourself, an emotional connection and helping them find other ways to deal with difficult emotions. Remember that every child is different and what works for one child will not necessarily be effective for another.
Who should I consult when my child sucks his thumb?
To answer this question, it is necessary to know in which situations it appears thumb sucking in a child. If this is signalling hunger, irritability, fatigue or boredom, it is worth seeing a neurologist. If the neurologist suspects oral hypersensitivity after examination and history, he or she may suggest a consultation with a sensory integration therapist. On the other hand, if thumb-sucking occurs in situations of stress, fear or sadness, it is worth consulting a a child psychologist. If the thumb sucking has continued for a long time and has been intense, a consultation with an orthodontist will also be necessary.
Summary
Thumb sucking is a phenomenon that should be observed with great care. While for many children it is just an innocent habit, for others it can be a signal that they need extra emotional support. It is important that parents and carers are aware of the potential consequences of this behaviour and offer their child support and alternative ways of coping with stress and anxiety. By reaching out for advice from experienced and qualified therapists, you increase the chances of a quick and effective crack down on the problem of thumb sucking. You will also save your child the embarrassment and enormous guilt.
Urszula Wierzbicka
Child psychotherapist
