Finger sucking behavior is an instinctive behavior that is considered normal until the age of 4. Sucking behavior can be in the form of fingers, tongue and different substances. There are various theories regarding its causes, and findings have been obtained indicating that situations such as family life, parental attitudes, stress, etc. are dominant. Negative physical and psychological consequences of the behavior and well-known mistakes are discussed. Attitudes, habits and age groups are emphasized in order to extinguish the behavior.
The sucking instinct is a basic instinct that starts from the mother's womb and continues after birth, enabling us to survive. It usually starts in the first 3 months of life and is a behavior that can be considered normal until the age of 3-4 years (1) Sometimes it can start by imitation in the later period. If thumb sucking is excessive and continues even though the child is 5-6 years old, it may become an unwanted habit.
Sucking behavior can occur with fingers or any object. Sucking of the thumb is predominantly encountered. However, it can be seen in sheets, blankets, dolls, some of the pillows, or in the form of tongue sucking – especially when the thumb sucking behavior ends. Finger sucking habit can be seen together or separately with tongue thrusting habit.
Studies on the long-term persistence of this habit are closely related to inability to satisfy the need for sucking in infancy, emotional disorder, enjoying the habit of sucking, as well as bottle sucking, cleft lip discomfort or sleep.
According to Lorenz, thumb sucking tendency is a displacement movement that occurs in case of stress. Lorenz likens this to the fact that two conflicting instincts in animals become synonymous (that is, two opposing instincts—escape, attack, are stimulated at the same time).
Davis, Sears and Miller; compared the responses of newborn and cup, bottle, breast-fed infants during the first ten days. Although the sucking experiences of these three groups are different, there is no significant difference in their behavior. Tests measuring the sucking response to lip stimulation showed that breastfed subjects had an increase in sucking behavior within the first ten days, while there was no change in the other two groups. No significant differences were observed in lap, appetite, crying and spontaneous sucking behavior. After the fifth day, the general body activity in breast feds is slightly different from the other two groups. These experts argue that the pleasure of sucking is combined with the satisfaction of hunger and thirst.
Possible Causes
In addition to reasons such as family life, wrong parental attitudes (oppressive, over-disciplined, overprotective and humiliating family attitudes), hereditary It is thought that the reasons may also have an effect.
Studies show that from time to time introversion can be accompanied by behavioral problems such as nail biting and thumb sucking(2)
This habit of distress, stress, hunger, hyperactivity, sadness, pleasure and various disorders, such as physical and emotional stimuli. , has been found to cause gastrointestinal disorders.
Sillman followed the oral structures of 60 children, 20 of whom sucked thumbs, from birth to age 13. According to the results of this study, thumb sucking can displace the teeth, but it should not be seen as the most important reason. However, it can easily affect pre-existing damaged tooth structure;
Contrary to popular belief
A child who gets into the habit of putting a piece of cloth in his mouth, has little or no effect on the teeth. He gave up this habit. However, such habits can sometimes persist after the accompanying vehicle has disappeared.
Finger-sucking and masturbation are pleasurable habits, but that doesn't prove they're related. There is no evidence that children who suck their thumbs masturbate afterwards.
It can be removed by giving a pacifier without thumb sucking, as many doctors recommend in infancy. However, this is an inconvenient practice. Because it can cause the child to fearlessly return to thumb sucking at the end of the first year.
Recommendations
The oppressive attitude increases the child's negativity and resistance. Child sucking thumbs, parents It can go on to get the attention of him or to annoy him. Banning, scolding and embarrassment should be avoided. These undermine a child's self-esteem and love for their parents.
Finger sucking seen in infancy or later during sleep alone does not require inhibition.
Finger sucking while awake should suggest that the child is tired, distressed and unhappy. In such a case, the child should aim to improve the environment he is in, and the undesirable attitudes of the parents should be addressed.
If the child continues to suck his thumb when he reaches the age of 4-5, it may be useful to give him suggestions. The child is told in a language that he or she can understand that what he is doing is a childish behavior and that it is not pleasing to the eyes of others. At this age, children usually try to be like a big person and imitate their parents. Most of the time he acts like them. Parents should evaluate this situation of the child very well. It can often be effective if they say that they do not suck their thumbs because it is not very pleasant.(3)
Many 5-6 year old children are ready to quit the habit. Asking the child to give up his habit and knowing that it will be rewarded in the end may be enough to end the habit.
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