When a child constantly sucks his thumb, parents are annoyed, they feel that this is turning into a problem and begin to lose their temper. What to do in such a situation?
1. Remember, your problem is not unique or critical. Quite often, children after two years of age continue to suck their thumb. They do this from the womb, where they suck on their fists or fingers, and after birth, even their toes. It is important to understand why a grown-up child continues to develop his sucking reflex.
2. Reasons for thumb sucking after two years:
- stressful situation in the family, quarrels and conflicts, screams from elders
- physical punishment
- unsettled sleep and wakefulness
- lack of physical activity
- absence of mom (leaving or going to work)
- lack of games, oversupply of learning
- earlier weaning and / or pacifiers.
3. If you give your child something to chew, so that he weaned from a pacifier or breast, this only strengthens the reflex, therefore it is a bad way. In the future, it can also lead to eating disorders when the food becomes sedative.
4. Intimidation and punishment also make the situation worse. The more attention is fixed on a habit, the more it becomes fixed, because anxiety increases.
What to do?
1. More often, and especially before bedtime, offer your child soothing games with sand, water, dough.
2. Adjust the amount of emotion in your child's daily routine so that he is not overexcited.3. Build an emotional family environment. The child should not be a participant in conflicts.
4. Increase physical contact with your child, pay more attention to him.
5. Gently switch the child's attention to games: offer to draw, sculpt, pick up various textured objects.
6. Get in the habit of giving your child a massage before bedtime, kneading your fingers, and soothing a lullaby.
7. If after a month of effort all methods do not work, contact a psychologist.
You will also be interested to read:
- Children's habits that are not as harmless as they seem
- How to stop a child from sleeping with their parents
- How to tell if your baby is not ready for weaning
