Thumb sucking is not a wonder or too surprising action of a baby. It is a very normal process that mostly all babies go through. Thumb sucking can be considered very normal until the age of two to two and half years. If the habit still continues after this age period than it can prove to cause infections and also prove to be embarrassment for the parents in public
Well the common reasons of thumb sucking have found to be the action showing that the baby is thirst or feeling sleepy. This habit seems to vanish away with time in most of cases so it’s better to let the baby get rid of the habit by its own.
Many parents are worried that this habit may lead to dental disorders. It can be possible but only if the baby is too habituated to thumb sucking or sucks the thumb even after teeth come in. Until and otherwise there is no need to worry, thumb sucking shows that the baby is normal. Thumb sucking can sometimes cause dental problems like the teeth may be pushed outwards. Malocclusion is also seen in many kids. Dental problems caused due to this than may be cured with the help of orthodontic treatment only. The baby may develop speech pronunciation problems and lisping if thumb sucking continues for a long period. Parents try eliminating this habit by applying some foul smelling materials over the thumb but practically it has no effects. These days’ medical graded plastics are available to stop the baby from thumb sucking. One may be surprised to know that some babies even start sucking their thumbs or fingers even before birth that is in their mother’s womb.
Usually the baby might stop the thumb sucking by the 6-7 month after birth. But by this some babies develop it as a habit. Some do it as a sign of soothing themselves while some may try making themselves comfortable. Mostly babies show indications of feeling hungry. In some cases the baby might be showing some sense of insecurity, fearing, restless or quite. This depends on baby-to-baby and their mood. It has been found that the babies find it very easier to sleep with their thumb sucking rather than babies not doing the same. The babies sense a feeling of security and safety while doing so. On an average, the surveys show that 80 – 90 % of babies develop the thumb sucking habit and gradually leaves it within 3 to 4 years of age. Many parents have been seen almost with a kind of war with the child to encourage avoiding the thumb sucking habit. What they believe is that this act is a sigh of emotional problem or immaturity. But its not so this is a very normal process and hence no mother needs to worry about it, and say that while thumb sucking, my baby is normal!!!
