The Thumb-Sucking Facts

To moms, dads and grandparents, there are few sweeter sights than your sweet baby sucking her thumb and she drifts off to sleep. It is an iconic picture of babyhood bliss.

Why Do Babies Suck Their Thumbs?

All babies have a natural instinct to suck. Many babies develop the habit of sucking something, be it their thumbs, a finger, their hands or a pacifier. Babies suck to soothe themselves when they are tired or upset, and when they are hungry. It is perfectly natural for babies to suck their thumbs. In fact, many parents try to lead babies to suck their thumbs so they can be more contented, and learn to self-soothe.

How Long Do Children Suck Their Thumbs?

Sometimes babies simply stop sucking their thumbs around the time they are six months old, simply because the urge to suck declines as babies’ diets change from primarily liquids to more solid foods.

By the time children are preschool age, most have tapered their thumb-sucking habits, and generally have given up thumb-sucking by the time they are about six.

If Thumb-Sucking is Natural, What’s the Big Deal?

For one thing, long-term thumb-sucking can cause a whole host of dental problem, from improperly aligned teeth to a malformed palate (roof of the mouth). The longer a child sucks her thumb, the more likely it is to cause dental problems.

For another, thumb sucking can cause speech problems, including lisping and difficulties in pronunciation, stemming from the dental issues.

Thumb-sucking in older children can cause social issues and anxiety. Children older than 6 may need help to quit thumb-sucking. If your child is older than 6 and needs help curbing thumb-sucking, talk to your family dentist or your child’s pediatrician.