Getting children to stop sucking thumbs, fingers and dummies

Sometimes a reward is effective. First, give your son plenty of time to get used to the idea of stopping. For example, tell him that in four months’ time when he's three he won't need to suck his fingers any more or that that is when he is to stop. Then offer him a significant reward if he manages to stop, such as taking him on a really special outing. This technique usually works better for children who suck objects such as dummies, but it has also worked for finger and thumb sucking problems.

Another method is the aversion technique. One variation on this involves putting an unpleasant-tasting substance on the child’s fingers. This solution would not be my first choice, but it is sometimes a necessary one.

If your son continues to suck his fingers as he grows and his jaw and permanent teeth develop, this can have a significant effect on the growth of his jaw and the positioning of his adult teeth. The most common problem is an ‘open’ bite in the front, where there is a gap between his upper and lower teeth. Also, the upper teeth can be pushed outwards and separated, while the lower teeth get pushed back. If this happens, your son will need orthodontic treatment to correct it.

Good Luck in your attempts to curtail this difficult habit.