How To Get Kids To Stop Sucking Their Thumb

Prolonged thumb sucking may cause changes to your child’s mouth, jaw, and teeth, but you can help your child break the habit.

Medically reviewed by Wendy L. Hunter, M.D.

It’s not unusual if you see your kiddo sucking their thumb. In fact, about 90% of newborns engage in some kind of hand sucking within two hours after birth. The reflex can be super cute, especially when babies suck their thumbs while they’re sleeping.

But as your child grows, so does their mouth, palate, and jaw, and thumb sucking can start to become a habit that can affect their facial bones and teeth.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends children stop sucking their thumbs between the ages of 2 and 4, or they risk damaging the shape of their mouths, the alignment of their teeth, and even the structure of their bite.

While you want the best for your growing child, habits like these aren’t always easy to break. Experts weigh in on the risks of thumb sucking and how to curb this habit without a major power struggle.

Why Do Kids Suck Their Thumbs?

Normal development

Non-nutritive sucking—aka sucking fingers, pacifiers, or other objects—is considered a normal part of newborn development. That's because babies have a natural sucking reflex.

But thumb sucking can even start in utero, says Jonelle Anamelechi, DDS, MSPH, board-certified pediatric dentist, owner of Children’s Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in the Washington, D.C. area, and co-director of the Thrive Habit-Breaking Clinic which specializes in thumb, pacifier, and finger sucking.

“Non-nutritive sucking gives proper tone to the tongue and jaw position of infants,” Dr. Anamelechi explains. “That sucking continues out of utero, though most children grow out of it by age 3.”

Seeking comfort

As children get older, thumb sucking becomes less about building infant muscle groups and more about comfort. Kids hang on to their thumb-sucking habits because it can make them feel safe.

“Usually, thumb sucking is a comforting measure like sleeping with a blankie,” explains David Berger, MD, FAAP, board-certified pediatrician, founder of health education company Dr. David, MD and private family practice Wholistic Pediatrics and Family Care.

Triggers

Certain environmental triggers can cause thumb sucking, Dr. Anamelechi says. Because thumb sucking is all about comfort, your child may engage in it when they’re getting comfortable in bed, watching a favorite show, or riding in the car.

Mental health struggles

Kids may also suck their thumbs because they’re anxious, which Dr. Berger explains can be a warning sign of deeper issues. “It’s important to check in: is there a new stressor, like a new school, discord at home, or a new sibling?” Dr. Berger asks.

If you start seeing physical changes in your child, or a reliance on thumb sucking to calm down over the age of 3, it’s vital to look closer.

“Once you get past 3, it’s important to bring your child for an examination by a pediatric professional to catch concerns before they become lifelong problems,” Dr. Berger adds.

Breathing issues

Prolonged thumb sucking can occur because a child is having trouble breathing at night, and is using their thumb to help open their airways. “Literature shows that kids with prolonged thumb-sucking habits may need help opening up their airways,” says Dr. Anamalechi.

If your child seems to only suck their thumbs while lying down or sleeping, it can indicate a problem with their breathing and airways.

It’s important to bring prolonged thumb sucking up to both your child’s dentist and their health care provider, in case of any underlying medical issues.

How Long Does Thumb Sucking Last?

Children typically stop thumb sucking on their own, often before turning 1. But it can last up to age 4 for some kids.

Again, thumb sucking should be limited to between 2 and 4 years old, per AAP.

When Thumb Sucking Becomes a Problem

“Thumb sucking is not considered abnormal prior to 2,” Dr. Berger explains. “Once you get to 4, there are concerns about dental alignment, palate, speech problems, displacement off the chin leading to overbite, and other dental issues.”

All children are born with soft bones that harden as they grow, Dr. Anamelechi explains, but by age 5 or 6, those bones become harder, which means prolonged thumb sucking can wreak havoc on your child’s anatomy.

It’s important to get kids to a pediatric dentist around their first birthday, says Dr. Berger, so that any issues can be caught early. Dr. Anamelechi agrees: “We are already talking to parents at the first dental visit at age 1 about the pros and cons of sucking."

While getting to the dentist with your child at age 1 is recommended, Dr. Berger says that it becomes a must by age 3.

Keep in mind, thumb sucking can also impact a child's hands. If you start to see calluses on your child’s thumb or fingers, you should call their health care provider. Nail damage can also occur with intense and prolonged sucking.

It's important to also note the social issues that can arise from a child who is sucking their thumb at an older age. They can be targets for bullying, which may impact self-esteem.

When Should Parents Intervene?

Parents should know that children's desire to suck their thumbs is completely normal; it’s just when it becomes excessive or habitual that they should intervene, especially past age 4.

“We give parents a little flexibility, in terms of basing our suggestions on the child’s growth and development,” says Dr. Anamelechi. “We put up more red flags the older the kids are, because tooth and jaw development changes with prolonged thumb sucking.”

No matter their age, though, make sure to bring up thumb sucking at your child’s dentist visit. “Mention any issues with thumb sucking then,” says Dr. Berger. "Your child is fine to suck their thumb, as long as the dentist sees no issues."

If there are concerns with teeth displacement, overbite, palate development, or muscle tone, a pediatric dentist will be able to identify them with environment, orthodontic, and airway assessments, Dr. Anamelechi adds.

How To Help Your Child Stop Thumb Sucking

Like any habit, thumb sucking can be difficult for kids to break. Experts offer some tips.

• Use positive reinforcement. Behaviorally sensitive methods, including calendar and sticker charts, can be positive reinforcements along the way. Speaking highly of your child when they manage not to suck on their thumb can also positively reinforce any progress they make.

• Cover their fingers. There are thumb braces, which slip over the thumb and make it impossible to suck the thumb, Dr. Berger explains, but methods as simple as putting a Band-Aid or sock over the hand as a reminder can help curb a habit. Gloves may also help.

• Know their triggers. If you believe your child is sucking their thumb because they are anxious, help them find other ways to gain comfort. You can also speak to a therapist for strategies on reducing their stress. Or you may have your child speak with a therapist who can help them navigate and manage their stressors.

• Medical device. If nothing else is working and there is concern for your child's health, an orthodontist might recommend placing a dental device in the mouth. This helps keep the thumb away from the roof of the mouth.

But Dr. Anamelechi explains that, like any tough stage your child goes through, they have to be willing participants in breaking their habit—and have the ability and capacity to do so. “It’s similar to potty training in that parents need to say ‘we’re going to do this together,’” she explains.

Just always remember to check with a dentist to make sure thumb sucking isn’t interfering with your child’s palate. And go easy on yourselves if the habit is taking longer than expected to break.

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