Hello Smart Mums! We’re really proud to feature the first blog that’s been created by one of you – Revauthi Rajamani. Here’s Revauthi in her own words:
I live at Chennai, India. I’m a blogger, a proud home-maker and a mother of two beautiful kids (aged 7 and 1). I pursued my Bachelor’s in nutrition and dietics and a post- graduate diploma in hospital administration.”
We hope this is just the start – we’d love to feature many, many more blogs from our growing community of smart mums (maybe we should call this community of ours Mom-unity!
Tips to stop thumb sucking in babies
Thumb sucking is a natural phenomenon in babies. Researches and studies say thumb sucking soothes babies and they have a natural urge to suck their thumb. This habit gradually decreases between the ages of 3 and 5. Babies and young children usually suck their thumbs to comfort themselves when they feel hungry or sleepy.
In some cases, children do not stop sucking their thumbs even after six years of age. This is a cause for concern because this could be a pointer to some anxiety disorder or an emotional problem. Prolonged thumb sucking may affect the teeth alignment and in some cases it may even cause speech disorders. Hence, treating it at the right moment is vital to ensure that your child has a happy and healthy childhood. The thing to remember is that it can be quite an ordeal to help your babies quit this habit but you have to be patient and persistent.
Tips to help kids stop thumb-sucking:
Firstly, keep a check on when your child resorts to sucking his thumb. Is he doing it because of anxiety or fear or stress or only during sleep.
Once this is observed, it is easy to help your child quit this habit quickly.
At home, the treatment must include parents setting rules and providing distractions. It may help to limit the times and places that your child is allowed to suck his or her thumb and to put away blankets or other items your child associates with thumb-sucking.
Putting gloves on your child’s hands or wrapping the thumb with an adhesive bandage or a cloth may make thumb-sucking harder to do and it can help break this habit.
Rewarding your child whenever he/she does suck his / her will also motivate them to quit.
Don’t shame or punish your children as it would demotivated and lower their self-esteem.
Be positive. Appreciate them if they are trying hard to refrain from this habit.
In spite of all these measures, if your baby continues to suck his thumb then you will need to consult your paediatrician and seek medical help. But do remember; keep that as the last recourse.
Hope this article helps those mums who are facing this problem.
Thank you, Revauthi Rajamani.
Yes, thank you indeed Revauthi! Like we said before, all mums are welcome to contribute blogs. We would love to feature them here. Write in to ecommerce@jlmorison.com
