If your dentist has suggested you help your child quit thumb sucking, or if they are getting permanent teeth and struggling to let go of their habit, follow these guidelines:

1. Be positive. Children do better with positive reinforcement. Instead of punishing, offer praise and encouragement when they aren’t sucking their thumb.
2. Help them remember to keep their thumb out of their mouth by putting a bandit or a sock/ glove on their hand at night when they are more likely to suck their thumb subconsciously.
3. Some children do well with a progress chart. Let your child add a sticker for every day that they don’t suck their thumb. After a successful week, you can let them choose a prize. After a month you can offer a bigger prize and the habit should be over if they received a sticker every day.
4. Notice when your child is most likely to suck their thumb. If you notice your child sucking when they are anxious, focus on eliminating the source.
5. If you notice thumb sucking is most common on long car rides or during movies, try to find distractions.
6. Depending on your child’s age, they may benefit from hearing why they need to stop sucking their thumb. Explain why it is important to break the habit.

Remember, thumb-sucking is a form of soothing for children. Breaking the habit can be difficult and they need your positive support and understanding to learn to feel relaxed without sucking their thumb.