How to Stop Sucking Your Thumb (Older Kids)

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It is typical for babies to suck their thumbs at one point or another. Most children stop once they reach toddler age, however some children carry the habit on for many years. Sucking your thumb is a bad habit. Not only can it cause damage to your teeth, it can also cause you embarrassment. Here are a few tips on how to stop. [1]

Steps

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    Think of a reason. For example, if you stop, you won't get teased at sleepovers. It may also save you from needing braces, due to your teeth growing in improperly. Something along those lines should help. [2]
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    You may not sleep too well at first, because you always sleep with your thumb in your mouth. This may make your mouth dry, so keep a glass of water by your bed.
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    If you can't stop sucking your thumb on your own, you can prevent it by putting a sock over your hand or putting a cotton ball or a make-up pad on your thumb and taping it in place. Wearing gloves also works. If you want, you can wrap a bandage around your thumb, that way you are reminded not to suck your thumb.. [3]
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    If you have a pillow or stuffed animal that you normally sleep with against your face, don't sleep with it to your face as you're trying to stop. The smell of the stuffed animal may make you want to suck your thumb more. [4]
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    Don't buy the flavored liquids, because you can just wash them off, which won't help you to break the habit.
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    If you can't stop sucking your thumb try putting something that tastes bitter or spicy (paprika, hot sauce etc.) on your thumb. [5]
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    Sleep with your head on the pillow. This will separate your thumb from your mouth.
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      Tips

      • Make the movements that your tongue does when you are sucking your thumb. Try making these movements when your thumb isn't in your mouth.
        Thanks
      • If you suck your thumb at night, try putting some sticky-tape on your thumbs. Something rough so then when you go to put your thumb in your mouth it will scratch it. It helped me a lot.
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      • Try to put something over the thumb so you will resist the urge to suck it.
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      Warnings

      • Do not tell anyone you can't trust that you suck your thumb, because they may not react kindly. You don't want that information traveling to other people as a rumor.
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      • Always be careful when you're at school, if you suck your thumb on a normal basis you may do it at school. It is a habit and you do become unaware.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/resolution-not-conflict/201201/lessons-thumbsucking-the-earliest-addiction
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fixing-families/201712/how-break-bad-habits
      3. ↑ https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC1284221&blobtype=pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3235699
      5. ↑ https://pedclerk.bsd.uchicago.edu/page/thumbsucking

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