Thumb sucking is a common behavior among babies. This is primarily an innate reflex in babies that helps them breastfeed. Apart from breastfeeding, babies use this reflex to calm down and feel good. It usually starts at birth and lasts up to 4 years of age.

If your child is still sucking his/her thumb as the permanent teeth grow in, or will not relinquish the pacifier, you may have to help and stop thumb sucking habit in order to prevent dental problems in the future.

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While it's safe to let them suck their thumb at a certain age, there are a few downsides to watch out for.

Dental problems

The alignment of the child's teeth can be affected. Your teeth will likely be pushed out of the excessive thumb suction.

Hygiene problem

 As children grow, they touch and play alone on the sandy ground. In that case, they might have stuck the same thumb into their mouths that were in the sand a few seconds ago!!

How do we stop or suck the little one's thumb? Here are some steps.

Give them credit

We all know the reward is still far off! A little encouragement from you will help him deal with this. You can put a star on his thumb or palm whenever he avoids sucking his thumb!

Distract

 As we mentioned earlier, this is an act of consolation. If this happens, try to distract them. Since thumb sucking is only one way to cool off or deal with a variety of emotions at this age, encourage them to perhaps use a squeeze toy as a substitute.