Encourage your toddler to stop thumb sucking

Most of the toddlers are in the habit of sucking their fingers and thumb. As a parent you must be worried about this practice, but don't worry it's very common among children and by following some simple tips you can help your children to get rid of this habit. They suck on their fingers, clothing, and toys. From this action they learn what is pleasing and what is uncomfortable. You will find your children sucking their thumbs especially when they are tired.

Steps to help your child to avoid thumb sucking:

• Don't criticize your child or never talk about your disappointment on his habit in front of him, if you do so it can irritate him and as a result he will increase thumb sucking.
• Majorly child sucks thumb or fingers when they are bored or he has nothing to do. So try to engage him with some new toys or anything interesting that your child enjoys so that he can forget about the habit and concentrate on the activity.
• Always keep your child happy. A happy child will never take stress which can be the reason of thumb sucking. During the phase when you are trying to free your child from this habit don't do anything which they dislike or don't want to practice.
• Children are very fluctuating in nature. They will never listen to you during the state of stress or irritation so always select the time when they are in happy mood so that they can cooperate with you to their fullest.

• Children can do anything for toys and chocolate. Offer a prize for their good work. This will inspire child not to suck thumb and make mummy happy.
• Spread child's thumb with something sore like vinegar, pickle or anything which he/she don't like, not as a punishment but just to remind the child about not sucking his thumb.
• Friends play an important role to help your child quit thumb sucking. Keep your child in the company of their friends who do not suck their thumbs and when your child sucks her thumb and her friends mention it, this might be the motivation she/he needs to stop.
• In case after all your efforts you are not successful, use thumb sucking guard, an amazing product with a plastic cover of the thumb which is being attached to the wrist. It removes the child pleasure of sucking thumb by removing the vacuum created. In few days interest for thumb sucking goes off and your child stops the habit permanently.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), after a child's permanent teeth come in, thumb sucking can cause problems. It can interfere with proper mouth growth, teeth alignment, and cause changes to the roof of the mouth. So as soon as you see your child sucking thumb make all your efforts to help him/her to get rid of this habit.

(Source: babyzone.com, freeuniquearticles.com)