Contents:
- Medical Video: How to break a bad habit in children
- Why do children like to suck their thumbs?
- Bad effect of thumbs up
- Then, what can parents do to eliminate the thumb sucking habit in children?
Medical Video: How to break a bad habit in children
The thumb sucking habit that is often done by children is something that is annoying for parents, especially if the child has reached the age of entering the school stage. Parents will try to find ways to eliminate thumb sucking habits on their children. The good, you first see an explanation of the thumb sucking habits in the following children.
Why do children like to suck their thumbs?
Basically, a thumb sucking is the natural instinct of each child. Since it is still in the womb, generally in ultrasound photos, many babies have sucked their thumbs in the womb. Thumb sucking also has the effect of calming gum pain during teething, and creating a calming effect on the child. During the period of thumb sucking, babies or children will activate their saliva flow.
Because the basic reason for children sucking thumbs is for pleasure, eventually they will continue the habit for a long time. Even children will become fussy if the habit is stopped suddenly. Some children will maintain thumb sucking as a normal method for using their body parts for pleasure or relaxation.
Bad effect of thumbs up
Unfortunately, the habit of sucking the thumb will have an adverse effect on the child, including:
- Triggers dental and oral health problems
- Children will have difficulty speaking, such as slurred or stuttering
- Dirty thumbs full of germs will be swallowed with the child's saliva
- Sucking your thumb will inhibit the blood flow of your thumb and cause infection
- Gradually your child will become a mockery if you still suck your thumb at school age
Make sure your child has a routine dental check every year, which is twice a year. And don't forget to give the danger warning above so as not to disturb the psychological and physical health of the child in the future.
Then, what can parents do to eliminate the thumb sucking habit in children?
- Give a time limit to the child to suck his thumb. Set the time when he can suck his thumb, and it's best if the child is not allowed to suck his thumb when he is in public. For example, give time when at home or at bedtime. Make this reduction gradually
- Avoid fights between children and you about the habit of sucking your thumb. If your child is having a hard time removing this habit, praise them when they are not sucking their thumbs.
- Get used to communicating about this habit. Tell the child, you will help him get rid of the habit of thumbs up with the aim of his kindness in the future. Talk to your family at home to be compact to support your child in eliminating the habit of sucking his thumb
- Remind your child that the thumb sucking habit will make him look rude, and don't hesitate to remind him when he unconsciously picks his thumb. Of course, do this in a subtle language that your child can understand.
- Try to do it in a unique way. Give an example that his idol superhero, or even your parents, does not have a thumb sucking habit. Give understanding and explanation that explains that thumbs up is not necessary.
- Change to a game that ends with a prize. Create a calendar and mark the days when your child doesn't suck his thumb. Offer your child, if you don't suck your thumb for the specified number of days, he will get a prize at the end of the week or the end of the month.
