Your Child THUMB SUCKING

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31991, 19 May 1969, Page 2

Your Child THUMB SUCKING

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NEIL THOMAS)

What is it that makes your baby like a puppy and cause it to suck its thumb? If a puppy does not get to suck enough when he feeds he is likely to suck his paws.

Your baby sucks his thumb for the same reason. He has a sucking instinct, just like a puppy’s. If this instinct is not satisfied by breast or bottle he may get his satisfaction from his thumb. This instinct varies from baby to baby. Remember two important points about thjs instinct to suck. First, it is strongest in the baby’s first six months. The more it is satisfied then, tfie less likely is continued tpumb sucking. Second, recognise the instinct for what it is-=-a natural instinct. Do not fight it.

How do you satisfy this desire to suck? Some answers are obvious Jn an American doctor's observations. He noted that babies who feed every three hours are less inclined to suck thumbs as babies who feed every four hours. He also noted that babies who empty their bottles in 20 minutes are less likely to suck thumbs than babies who take only 10 minutes to finish a bettie. (They take less time because the teat boles are larger.) Other experts believe that breast-fed babies are less likely to thumb suck than bottlefed babies. They sgy that this is so because breast-feeders spend longer sucking. Net Confirmed I must emphasise that this latter point has not been backed up with conclusive research, to my knowledge. Nonetheless, the reasoning is simple. If ypu bottlq feed

your baby you decide when he has had enough. If he is scheduled for fiee and he has drunk 6oz, you put'the bottle though he may want to suck more.

In breast feeding, your baby decides when he has had enough sucking and feed, ing. He either quits, shows irritation, becomes sick, or sleeps.

What do you do if your baby sucks his thumb? If you breast feed him, either let him feed longer or more frequently. Try net to miss any feeds. If he gets indigestion from feeding too long, keep him op one breast for a longer time. He will find less milk, of course, put will satisfy his sucking needs. SMALLER HOLES If yo« bottle-feed him, buy a teat with smaller holes. This will allow him ta suck more for the same amount of milk. He might still drink too quickly. Then buy a test with, out holes and put two small ones in it instead of the nor, mal three. When he is old enough to be off the still sucks his thumb—be certain to give him plenty of affec, tion- Do this rather than try to stop him by force. Tying bis hands? Mustard on thumbs? Gloves? These are not the answers. They keep your baby from satisfying a need which is as natural as hunger. /- The possibility of teeth deformities should not worry you. Even if his teeth are pushed out of place they will probably straighten. The threat of thumb sucking to teeth is over,exaggerated, according to modem authorities. Tha great majority of thumb suckers quit before they go to sehool. While he is Still a baby, do not worry too much.