Many babies suck their thumb or fingers to soothe themselves to sleep or help with teething. Some babies even start sucking their thumb in the womb. This is really a harmless habit for babies, and they typically learn other ways to soothe themselves and cope with stress as they grow, and will stop sucking on their own. It is recommended that a child stop sucking their thumb by the time they get all their baby teeth in, around age two to three years of age. The sooner you stop the habit the easier it will be.

Why Stop the Habit? Prolonged sucking beyond that point can cause problems with how their teeth, mouth and jaw develop, not to mention the hygiene issue this raises with older children who touch everything and then put their fingers in their mouth. The risk is elevated when children are around animals or public places, especially during cold and flu season. More