With birth, babies bring some reflexes to adapt to life and continue their lives. In the first year, babies perceive the world through their mouths, and during this period, babies tend to put whatever they find into their mouths. At the same time, sucking provides pleasure other than nutrition. In later periods, the sucking reflex may turn to the blanket, toy or finger after the bottle and pacifier. Mostly babies suck their thumb. (They can also suck their other fingers.) It is a harmless, normal behavior that is seen in almost all newborn babies and begins in the womb. Sucking, which begins in the womb before birth, continues until the age of 3-4 and is considered normal, but it is expected to end at the age of 5-6. After this period, the habit of biting nails may emerge. Although the habit of biting nails is not observed before the age of 3-4, this behavior can rarely be observed as early as 15 months of age. Nail-biting behavior may also develop in adolescence. Both habits must be treated before it is too late to end them. Finger sucking and nail biting behavior that continues after this age period may be caused by a psychological problem and it is beneficial to seek help from an expert.
Harms:
– Defects in the upper and lower tooth structure
– Thinning and wear on the finger over time
– Darkening in the color of the finger
– Sucking on the wrists
– Defects in the nail structure
Reasons for thumb sucking:
9. Starting from the first month, most 1-year-old children establish a connection between sleep and thumb sucking. They tend to suck fingers or any object while falling asleep. This habit can last for months and resistance is encountered in efforts to dissuade it at the age of 3. When he falls asleep, simply removing his hand from his mouth is enough. Babies can suck their fingers when teething. Children may suck their thumbs when faced with difficulties, because they are embarrassed or bored. It is frequently seen when going to sleep, when they are alone and when they experience very intense emotions. Some children also exhibit nail-biting behavior when they cannot express themselves and when they feel insecure. Conflict between parents Frustration and tension can lead to thumb sucking and nail biting in the child. In order to attract attention again when a new sibling joins the family, children show regressive tendencies such as thumb sucking.
They can also take thumb sucking and nail biting behavior as a model from someone else. If nail biting occurs during adolescence, they develop such a habit due to problems that they cannot cope with on their own.
Solutions for thumb sucking:
– First of all, what may cause thumb sucking should be investigated and efforts should be made to eliminate the problems. steps must be taken. Relevant specialists should be consulted for physical disorders such as thinning of the fingers, problems in the nail structure, dental disorders, and psychological problems that cause thumb sucking and nail biting. It should not be forgotten that thumb sucking is a part of the development of the child before the age of 3-4 and should not be alarmed. Thumb sucking, like bedwetting, decreases with age.
– After the age of 4, the child should be explained how thumb sucking and nail biting harms his/her dental health, fingers and nail structure, in a simple language that he/she can understand, without being annoying.
– The child should not feel ashamed of his/her behavior and should not feel guilty or judged. If he perceives himself as a failure because of this behavior, he may lose self-confidence. At the same time, negative attitudes can reinforce these behaviors of the child. It should not be forgotten that the attitudes of friends, especially in preschool and school age, are significantly influential.
– The parents' ongoing and constant warnings that the child should not suck his finger and take his hand away from his mouth respond exactly to the child's desire to attract attention. Such relationships should be stopped. - If the child has developed this behavior because of his newborn sibling, his tension will decrease if he feels and understands that his place can never be replaced and that he is still loved. As his tension decreases, he will give up this habit over time and will be convinced that his brother also needs care and love and that he should be taken care of together.
– To reduce these habits, the child can be directed to play, especially finger games.
– Cho Children exhibit these behaviors more often when they are alone. He/she can be allowed to help by giving simple tasks at home.
– Bitter nail polishes used for nail biting can be a deterrent for thumb sucking.
– This period will be overcome more easily with the help of parents. Holding his hand or telling him a story as he goes to sleep, or having him have a favorite toy to distract him during the day or at bedtime, may help. If these behaviors are caused by dental problems, teething teethers or giving fruits and vegetables to the child's hand can help. It is possible to distract the child from his/her finger and nail.
– Healthy communication and showing sufficient love and attention will help the child feel safe.
Despite all these recommendations, it is observed that this behavior continues in some tense children. . These behaviors are often accompanied by sleep and eating disorders. In such a case, a child psychologist should be consulted as soon as possible.
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