How (and Why) To Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb

Thumb sucking is common in babies and young toddlers. But if it continues into late toddlerhood, you may need to intervene to help your child give up the habit.

Pediatrician Kimberly Churbock, MD, and speech-language pathologist Meghan Mingee, SLP, explain why kids suck their thumbs, what problems it can cause and how to help them stop.

Why do babies suck their thumb?

For many kids, thumb sucking is just part of their normal development. And it’s a habit that starts earlier than you might think — often even before they’re born.

“Thumb sucking actually starts in utero,” Mingee says. “And all through infancy, it’s pretty normal.”

In newborns, that natural sucking reflex is essential for feeding, whether they’re breastfed or bottle-fed. But sucking isn’t just about nutrition.

“That sucking movement can also be a form of self-soothing,” Dr. Churbock adds.

Babies and toddlers may suck their thumbs for comfort, like to help them fall asleep or calm down when they’re upset.

Eventually, most kids will stop on their own. But if thumb sucking continues beyond the toddler years, it may start to cause issues.

Consequences of thumb sucking

Thumb sucking isn’t usually a problem in babies and young toddlers. But if it continues as your child gets older — especially if they suck their thumb frequently or very strongly — it can start to affect the way their mouth develops.

“When a child’s thumb is in their mouth all the time, it can make their palate narrower and higher,” Mingee explains. And ultimately, those changes to their mouth can affect their speech development.

Let’s take a look at some of the issues that thumb sucking can cause.

Dental changes

Over time, pressure from your child’s thumb can push their front teeth forward or prevent their top and bottom teeth from meeting properly.

This can lead to a few types of dental malocclusion, when upper and lower teeth don’t line up properly. These issues are sometimes called a “bad bite” or even “thumbsuck teeth.”

“Most commonly, we see an overbite or an open bite, which is when your child’s upper and lower teeth don’t sit flush when their mouth is closed,” Dr. Churbock explains. “Their top front teeth protrude outward.”

These dental changes make it more likely that your child will need orthodontic treatment down the road, like braces.

Higher risk of dental injuries

When your child’s front teeth are pushed forward, they’re more exposed. And that puts them at risk of being damaged.

“If those upper teeth are sticking out a little bit, they’re more likely to get injured,” Dr. Churbock points out.

For active toddlers who fall often, this can mean chipped or broken front teeth, even from relatively minor bumps.

Speech and oral development issues

Long-term thumb sucking can also affect how your child’s mouth functions.

“When their palate becomes high and narrow, there’s less space for their tongue,” Mingee explains. “This can lead to difficulty with tongue placement or changes in the way their tongue moves when they eat or speak.”

All of that can cause:

• Trouble articulating their words: “If their tongue can’t stay in the right place when they’re producing certain sounds, it pushes forward to let the air out,” Mingee illustrates. That can contribute to articulation disorders, like a lisp.
• Feeding problems: Sucking patterns are different from the motions needed to chew and swallow solid food. Kids who suck their thumbs can develop “tongue thrust,” a habitual tongue movement that can get in the way of proper chewing.

Mouth breathing

Thumb sucking may also encourage mouth breathing, which is exactly what it sounds like: breathing through your mouth instead of your nose.

In both kids and adults, mouth breathing can cause problems like:

• Congestion
• Dry mouth
• Sinus infections
• Snoring

But in kids, the stakes are even higher. Over time, mouth breathing can literally change the shape of their face, leading to distinctive features, like a narrow face and a receding chin or jaw.

Risk of illness and infection

Thumb sucking introduces germs and can raise your child’s risk of getting sick in ways you might not expect.

“Our hands carry germs and bacteria,” Dr. Churbock says. “Whatever kids pick up in their environment, thumb sucking transmits right into their mouths.”

Plus, frequent thumb sucking can cause skin irritation, leading to cracked or split skin on the thumbs and around the mouth (angular cheilitis). That’s unpleasant enough on its own — but broken skin is also more prone to infection.

Tips to help your child break the habit

Many kids stop thumb sucking on their own between ages 2 and 4. But if your child doesn’t show any signs of stopping, you might be wondering how you can speed up the process — without turning it into a power struggle.

These six tips can help.

1. Focus on positive reinforcement

Research shows that kids are motivated by praise. So, make an effort to notice when your child isn’t sucking their thumb — and compliment them on it.

“This helps reinforce the behavior you want to see,” Dr. Churbock explains.

You can also use reward systems and star charts to encourage them to continue this behavior.

But don’t shame, scold or punish them for their thumb sucking. It won’t help them stop — and will only make them feel bad.

“A punitive approach isn’t going to work for most children,” she emphasizes.

2. Teach other methods of self-soothing

Thumb sucking often serves a purpose, like offering comfort.

“Thumb sucking is rhythmic and calming, which helps regulate kids’ nervous system,” Mingee explains. “But offering substitutions can help them learn new ways to calm themselves.”

Alternatives might include:

• Deep breathing
• A favorite blanket or stuffed animal
• Quiet time routines

“This is also an opportunity to talk to your child about how they’re feeling,” Dr. Churbock adds. “You can talk about finding other ways to calm and soothe our bodies.”

3. Offer replacement activities

Some kids suck their thumbs just for something to do.

“If you notice that your child is doing it out of boredom, give them something else to occupy their hands,” Dr. Churbock recommends.

Offer an alternative, like a fidget toy or a stress ball that keeps their hands engaged and out of their mouth.

4. Have a conversation about it

Sure, they’re little. But don’t underestimate your child’s ability to understand logic. With older toddlers and preschoolers, try an honest discussion about thumb sucking — and frame quitting as a way to help keep their smile healthy.

“You can emphasize the importance of practicing,” Dr. Churbock offers. “You might say, for example, ‘It’s a hard habit to stop, and we don’t have to be perfect. But the more we practice, the easier it gets — and the more we can help our smiles stay healthy as we get ready for our big-kid teeth.’”

5. Ask your pediatrician for help

As you navigate thumb sucking challenges, your pediatrician can:

• Monitor your child’s health: It’s important to loop in your pediatrician so they can keep an eye out for any developing dental problems or speech-related concerns.
• Recommend strategies for quitting: Your pediatrician can weigh in on additional options that may help your child stop thumb sucking, like bitter-tasting nail polish, oral appliances or habit reversal training.
• Refer you to further treatment: If needed, your pediatrician can connect you with a speech-language pathologist or other specialists to address underlying habits or oral function concerns.

“Your pediatrician is there to be your partner in navigating concerns like thumb sucking,” Dr. Churbock reinforces.

6. See a pediatric dentist

Many general dental providers are comfortable seeing kids starting at ages 2.5 or 3, but Dr. Churbock says it’s best for kids to start seeing a dentist sooner, if possible. And that’s even truer if your child is a chronic thumb sucker.

“If you have dental insurance and can find an in-network pediatric dentist, I recommend establishing care around your child’s first birthday or within six months of their first primary tooth erupting,” she advises.

Your child’s dentist can weigh in on all things related to their oral health, from how to break the thumb sucking habit and how to brush their teeth to other ways to help keep their mouths healthy as they grow.

Plus, it’s always good for your child to get comfortable with dentist visits early on!

Have patience

Thumb sucking is a normal, healthy behavior in babies and young toddlers. And often, it’s nothing to worry about. But as your child grows, keep an eye on how often it happens and whether it’s affecting their teeth, speech or daily life.

And most importantly, approach the habit with patience.

With time, gentle guidance and the right support, most children naturally move on — and keep their smiles healthy along the way.