Pacifiers and Thumbsucking: What You
Should KnowMany parents express concern
over their child's thumbsucking or use of a
pacifier. Often worried about affects on teeth,
parents sometimes try to prevent their children
from sucking their thumb or using a pacifier.
The truth is that thumbsucking and using a
pacifier are quite normal and most kids forego
the habits long before any damage can be done
to the jaw and teeth.
In fact, it has been shown that embryos
actually suck on their thumbs while in the
mother's womb. Thumbsucking and pacifier use
both help children become comfortable with
their environment, as well as offer children a
sense of security. Parents should not be upset
over their child's need to suck their thumb or
use a pacifier.
There are some things that parents should be
aware of when allowing their children to use a
pacifier. To reduce choking danger, always
purchase pacifiers that come as a solid molded
piece instead of those which have been created
as separate pieces fused together.
Constantly check the pacifier, especially
the nipple end, to make sure that it has not
become brittle. Brittle nipples can break and
choke your child. Also, never tie a
pacifier around your child's neck as this can
create a strangulation danger.
Most children should grow out of
thumbsucking and pacifier use by age 3 or 4. As
long as the habit is discontinued before their
permanent teeth come in (around ages 4-5) your
child will be fine. If, however, they continue
this habit as their permanent teeth come in it
is best to help your child discontinue their
habit.
The most effective way to accomplish this is
to simply explain to your child that they must
do so in order for their teeth to come in
straight. You would be surprised at how
effective simply explaining this to your child
can be. When they do suck their thumb or use a
pacifier give them a gentle verbal
reminder.
Under no circumstances should you give
negative reinforcement or punish a child for
this behavior as this often causes the child to
further embrace the habit. Many professionals
urge parents to tape their children's fingers
or apply bitter tasting solutions to the
fingers to prevent thumbsucking. We would
advise against this. It is somewhat cruel and
is not as effective as providing positive
reinforcement when children don't suck their
thumb.
What should you do if your child is having
trouble giving up the pacifier or thumbsucking?
We suggest gradually weaning your child. First,
start by not allowing them to suck their thumb
or use a pacifier during certain hours of the
day.
Offer them rewards when they successfully do
this. Also, since thumbsucking and pacifier use
are often security mechanisms, consider giving
them a teddy bear, a blanket, or lots of hugs
to, in effect, replace the pacifier or
thumbsucking.
Gradually increase the number of hours in
which they are not allowed to use the pacifier
or suck their thumb until they no longer need
these habits. Remember, the time they need the
pacifier the most (during bed) should be the
last time period phased out.
Using a pacifier or sucking a thumb are
quite normal for small children and should not
concern parents until the child's permanent
teeth start to come in. By this time most
children have given up the habit. If yours has
not, remember, explaining to your child why
they need to stop, along with gradually weaning
them from the pacifier or thumbsucking, are the
most effective ways to get them to stop.
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