It is a behavior seen in normal children until the age of 3-4, without any psychopathological factors. Most babies suck their thumbs or fingers. It is possible to encounter thumb sucking, which is a harmless behavior, in almost every baby. Sucking is an important factor for a child to eat and drink normally in the first 3-4 months after birth. It is seen that children derive pleasure from sucking in a certain way and degree. The frequency of the sucking reflex may vary. The mouth remains a source of pleasure in life. It may appear in different forms in later stages. Newborn babies can learn this behavior in the womb. It is one of the strongest reflexes they have from birth. In some babies, sucking their fingers is observed as a sign of embarrassment and boredom when they encounter difficulties, and in some babies and children, sucking their thumbs is observed as a sign of embarrassment and boredom.
Children who suck their thumbs and sometimes even their toes are familiar with the environment and may do this behavior out of the need to explore.
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There are also opinions that the basis of thumb sucking is the inadequacy of the mother-child relationship and the child's underdeveloped sense of trust. Thumb sucking also has a close connection with sleep. Some 2-year-old children resist taking their fingers into their mouths while falling asleep. At the age of 3, this habit disappears during sleep.
Thumb sucking is a quality that serves the satisfaction of emotions as well as getting food. . As it is known, every baby sucks his thumb at some point and this should be seen as quite natural. However, if it continues frequently after the age of 2, it is necessary to take special care of the child.
What are the harms of thumb sucking?
In a child who continues to suck his thumb after the age of 2, the front teeth in the upper jaw may move forward. This may cause the lower teeth to retreat further back. If the child becomes a habit of this behavior and continues to do it at the age of 3-3.5, the gaps in the jaw become permanent and the child may experience dental, jaw, palate and even respiratory problems.
What method should be followed in the treatment of thumb sucking?
First of all, psychological problems that may underlie your child's thumb sucking behavior should be considered. This behavior Causative reasons should be considered. You can examine your family and see what is not going well. Problems that are not important to you may be important to your child and affect them emotionally. Another thing that the family should never do and should be careful about is not giving them condescending warnings such as "you are like a baby" or "you are grown up now". This period should not be turned into a mutual power struggle. It is necessary not to give him the attention he wants, otherwise we will do nothing but reinforce the behavior unconsciously. If this problem persists despite all these efforts, you can get help from an expert, taking into account any health problems that may arise in the future.
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