Thumb-sucking.

Hello,
I have a little girl of four and a half who sucks her thumb. How can I get her to break the habit? She doesn't do it around other children, but I am worried it may affect her development. Thank you.

Sucking the thumb is your daughter's way of comforting herself when she needs affection. It's very difficult to stop her from doing it, but will she will probably grow out of it. She already realises that it is something she does in private and as she grows up and becomes more independent, she will feel more secure and will gradually stop sucking her thumb. Don't be angry with her, she isn't doing anything naughty or abnormal, some children such their thumbs right into their teens (and beyond!). If it really bothers you, ask your GP for an appointment with a child psychologist.

Other answers from our experts...

Waking children up during nightmares.

Choose a topic :

Search 'Ask the Expert' using keywords :

More questions answered by our experts:
Multiple pregnancy detection - Long-haul flight and pregnancy
Folic acid and pregnancy. - Unprotected sex following miscarriage.
Abortion decision - Epidural pain.
Painful breasts and pregnancy. - Chicken pox and pregnancy

Email this page to a friend

Focus on...

		Childbirth around the world		Coping with children's nightmares

		The lowdown on fertility treatment		Share your pregnancy journey - start a blog!

sofeminine-Community

Create a blog
Fully personalised
Quick, free and easy!

Create an album
Share photos of your holidays, your life, your interests…

Visit our forums!
Have your say on all the discussion topics in our forums.

This week Special Food & Drink : recipes from A to Z, by country, by duration, by type.
auFeminin Group:	auFeminin - enFemenino - alFemminile - goFeminin - soFeminine - Teemix - Joyce - Voyage Bons Plans - Santé AZ - Marmiton - Marmikid - Tiboo - Recettes de Valérie - Noms de famille - Toutes les villes - Parcours-Gourmand - Onmeda
Info Sites:	Art Gallery - Artists - True tones