Thumb-sucking is a common phenomenon in babies. Generally infants suck thumbs at some or the others stages, but just in case that tends to become a habit, thumb sucking may result in displaced teeth and a habit which may be difficult to get rid of.
As mentioned earlier, though most of the infants do resort to thumb sucking albeit for a limited time, for others this may become an ongoing habit. This may be a signal for hunger or want of comfort. Some parents tend to pull back the thumb immediately as soon the child starts sucking it; this should never be the way, to deal with the problem. In fact reacting like this may go on to entrench this habit even further.
Relation between hunger and thumb-sucking
One school of thought says that a baby take on to thumb sucking when their tummy is not full and hence by doing so they signal hunger. By one particular research, it was seen that the kids who were fed at the smaller intervals were more or less prone to thumb sucking than kids who were fed at a longer intervals. However, there are infants who may display the tendency for the same, irrespective of the feeding schedule. In fact, some of the infants have been seen sucking their thumbs, right from the delivery room!!
Thumb sucking should never be problem in case your baby sucks the thumb for a few minutes only. This calls for concern only your baby makes it a habit for a longer duration of time. Always remember, that it is better to deal with thumb sucking when it is at the nascent stage rather than when it becomes a habit. In case you notice that your baby is taking to such a practice immediately after being fed, it is better that you put her back on to the breasts, bottle or a pacifier.
Thumb-sucking and breastfeeding
Research shows that breast fed babies are less likely to suck thumbs. This is because breast fed babies satisfy their urge to suck this way only. Generally, a baby is able to suck the milk that is present in a breast within 5 to 6 minutes; any sucking beyond this point is only for the purpose of sucking. If the baby sucks the thumb even after breast feeding, the mother should out her on to the other breast so that she can have her fill, in case she is still feeling hungry. For the purpose, you can increase the duration of time to which the babies suck the first breast and then put her on the second breast.
Relation between thumb-sucking and bottle-fed babies
The thumb sucking habit generally develops in bottle fed babies because they are able to finish a bottle full of milk in 10 minutes as compared to 20 minutes of sucking that would have been required for the same amount of milk in breast feeding. With the passage of time, the nipple of the bottles become weaker and the baby becomes stronger and hence she is able to finish a bottle of milk much faster. If your child is on formula milk, you should strive to slows down the pace of the bottle feeding so that your baby sucks at the nipple of the bottles for the requisite amount of time.
Cutting down on feedings
As the baby grows older and is weaned on to the solids, the parents generally cut down on the number of feedings of milk. In case your child is taking to thumb sucking, it is advisable not to cut down on the number of feedings. Even if she is asleep, you can wake here up and see as to whether or not she would like to have a feed.
Relation between teething and thumb-sucking
Babies who are currently on teething, may be in a habit of thumb sucking so as to get relieve of the pressure of the gums.
What about the baby's teeth?
Generally the upper front teeth of the baby pushes forward in case she is in the habit of thumb sucking. It is advisable that the habit is curtailed before the age of six so that the same phenomenon does not occur with the permanent teeth of the baby.