Do you remember how cute it was when your baby first found her thumb and started sucking on it. Well we were still in the delivery room when we heard this sucking noise, it was my baby, she had found her thumb and was sucking on it within half an hour of being born. I was told that she most probably started sucking her thumb in the womb. It’s strange to think that she had already developed this habit before she was even born.
Babies have a natural urge to suck which decreases after the age of 6 months. This does not mean they will stop sucking their thumb at this age. Many babies will continue sucking their thumbs to sooth themselves. This then becomes a habit and infants will do it to comfort themselves when they feel hungry, afraid, restless, sleepy or bored. Have you ever seen a baby fast asleep in his crib bedding sets with his mouth open and thumb falling out of it. Every time baby moves the thumb goes into the mouth and she subconsciously starts sucking on it again. Most children will stop this habit on their own between the ages 3 and 6 years. If they don’t you might need to get some help so they don’t develop dental or speech problems. You don’t want an issue that was once cute to become a problem when your child is older.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
very cute picture. i remember the days when mine were so tiny.