What is thumb- or finger-sucking?

Thumb-sucking is normal in babies and young children. Most babies and toddlers suck their thumbs. They may also suck on their fingers, hands, or items such as pacifiers. Most children stop thumb-sucking on their own between ages 3 and 6 years.

Babies have a natural urge to suck. They may suck on their thumb, other fingers, or hands.

Thumb-sucking usually isn't a problem in children at preschool age or younger.

If you are concerned about your child's thumb-sucking, talk with your child's doctor or dentist.

Simple home treatment options stop most children from sucking their thumbs. But if your child has a sucking habit around age 4 or older, there may be other treatment options. Some of these may include:

• Behavioral therapy.
• Thumb devices.
• Devices for the mouth.

Most children will stop on their own if you give them time. Children who suck their thumbs may need treatment if they:

• Continue to suck a thumb often or with great intensity around age 4 or older. (A callus on the thumb is one sign of intense sucking.)
• Ask for help to stop.
• Develop dental or speech problems as a result of sucking their thumb.
• Feel embarrassed or are teased or shamed by others.

Home treatment to help a child stop sucking their thumb usually is not tried until age 4. Even then, most doctors recommend treatment only if the thumb-sucking is frequent or intense. Below are some steps you can take when your child is around age 4, and some stronger measures for when your child can take a more active role in quitting.

Early steps

• Give your child activities they can do with their hands to distract them.
• Put away items such as blankets that your child associates with thumb-sucking. At first, put the items away for short periods of time throughout the day. As your child learns other ways of self-comfort, gradually increase the amount of time these items are not available.

Later steps

• Calmly talk to your child about the harmful effects of thumb-sucking.
• Put gloves on your child's hands or wrap the thumb with an adhesive bandage or a cloth. Explain that the glove, bandage, or cloth is not a punishment but is only there as a reminder to not thumb-suck.
• Use a reward system, such as putting stickers on a calendar to record each day that your child does not suck their thumb. After an agreed-upon number of days, celebrate your child's success.
• Ask your doctor about using a nontoxic, bitter-tasting nail coating that makes your child's thumb taste bad. Follow the instructions carefully. This treatment is most successful when it is combined with a reward system.

Things to remember

• Do not remove the thumb from the child's mouth while they are awake. You can remove it after the child is asleep.
• Stay neutral and calm when talking about your child's thumb-sucking habit. Do not punish or shame your child for thumb-sucking.
• Do not allow other people to make fun of your child.