{"id":50265,"date":"2025-04-25T21:23:23","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T01:23:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/mayo-health-library\/thumb-sucking-help-your-child-break-the-habit\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T11:13:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T15:13:25","slug":"thumb-sucking-help-your-child-break-the-habit","status":"publish","type":"mayo","link":"https:\/\/hancockhealth.apgar.digital\/es\/mayo-health-library\/thumb-sucking-help-your-child-break-the-habit\/","title":{"rendered":"Thumb sucking: Help your child break the habit"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

By Mayo Clinic Staff<\/span><\/p>\n

Thumb sucking is a common habit among young children. It can be hard to know when to encourage your child to stop thumb sucking. Here’s some information on when and how to help your child.<\/p>\n

Babies have natural rooting and sucking reflexes. Some even suck their thumbs before birth. Thumb sucking can help a baby feel calm. That’s why babies may do it when upset or going to sleep. <\/p>\n

Many children stop sucking their thumbs between ages 2 and 4 months. But about 25% of children still suck their thumbs at age 2 years. A child who has stopped thumb sucking might go back to doing it when feeling upset or worried. <\/p>\n

Thumb sucking isn’t usually a worry until a child’s permanent teeth come in. At this point, thumb sucking might begin to affect how the teeth line up. It also might affect the roof of the mouth, also called the palate. The risk of dental problems is higher if children suck their thumbs for a long time and very often.<\/p>\n

Avoid trying too hard to get your child to stop thumb sucking if your child is younger than 2 years old. Thumb sucking for children at these ages can provide comfort and won’t usually damage teeth. If a child sucks the thumb after age 5 years, the child may be more likely to have changes to the teeth and palate. <\/p>\n

Talk with your child about thumb sucking. You’re more likely to help your child stop the habit if your child wants to quit and helps choose some ways to stop.<\/p>\n

Sometimes paying no attention to thumb sucking is enough to stop the habit. This is usually true if your child uses thumb sucking to get attention.<\/p>\n

If ignoring thumb sucking doesn’t work, try one of these tips:<\/p>\n