Is Thumb Sucking More Than Just A Habit?

Posted on Sun, 31 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 31 May 2015 Answered on

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My 3 months old baby (girl) is more interested in sucking thumb and not taking enough feeds. How can we change her habit of sucking the thumb??

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is normal for age. No need to intervene at this stage.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Thumb sucking has a soothing effect that is very common in children of this age. Subsequently, with development of language, children develop better coping skills and thumb sucking becomes secondary. I do not think that you need to discourage it at this stage. Although thumb sucking can affect the primary or temporary teeth, it should not have any effect on the permanent teeth. So you need not worry.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (15 hours later)

Will it affect number of feeds she takes per day??

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It will not affect the number of feeds she takes per day.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

It is unrelated to the number of feeds she takes. Thumb sucking should not have an effect on feeding.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar