How to Get a Child to Stop Sucking Fingers

• Ignore the problem if your child is still young, as most kids stop finger sucking between ages 2 and 4.
• Identify if something is triggering your child's habit, like stress or anxiety. Work to get rid of those triggers for them, like putting a night light in their room at bedtime.
• Give your child something distracting, like a fun toy or activity, to keep them from sucking their fingers.
• Cover up your child's fingers with a bandage or sock so they're less likely to suck on them.

Eliminate triggers.

Figure out your child's triggers and work to get rid of them. Your child may be sucking their fingers in response to stress or anxiety, or it could be a natural reflex that’s become a habit. Pay attention to your child’s behaviors before and after sucking their fingers to help identify specific triggers for sucking. Giving your child the comfort or activity they need or desire can be an important step to breaking the habit. Track specific situations that cause your child to suck their fingers. Does the child do it when they have done something bad or are scared? Does your child suck their fingers only at night as a way to fall asleep? This can help you find the most effective strategies for eliminating triggers and breaking the sucking habit. Ask your child why they sucks their thumb. In some cases, open communication is a good step towards dealing with the problem. Your child may also help you realize that you can provide comfort or activity in alternative ways. Relieve any stress or anxiety that provokes finger-sucking. This could be something like a fear of the dark. In this case, you may want to put a nightlight in your child’s room and give them an activity to do, like reading a book, as they fall asleep. Likewise, if your child gets scared when you go away, make a small video to remind them that you will be home soon.

Distract your child.

Bored children often suck their fingers. Providing your child ample activities and diversions can help distract the child from sucking on their fingers. Make sure your distractions are appropriate to day- or nighttime sucking habits. Give your child plenty of toys with which to play during the day. Keeping your child busy is the easiest way to distract from sucking their fingers. Have a hands-on activity or toy ready for your child if you notice them putting a hand or fingers toward the mouth. Inserting a toy into their hands will keep the fingers busy.

Substitute items for fingers.

Offering your child a substitute activity for their fingers can also help break the habit. It can be something as simple as giving the child a toy or having the child try a different movement with their fingers. Tell your child to try squeezing their thumb if they feel the need to suck their fingers. Show your child how to play “hide the finger” game. For example, if your child wants to suck their thumb, tell them to “wrap your finger with another finger to hide it.” Try sleep-inducing props to substitute finger sucking at night. For example, play lullabies or white noise for your child throughout the night. A teddy bear can also help reinforce other props. Older children can try special anti-stress finger toys, like stress balls or fidget spinners as a distraction.

Cover the child’s hands.

Try covering your child’s hands with bandages or a sock. The texture or even size of the covered hand can help get the child out of the habit of sucking on fingers in any situation. Remember that you don’t want to embarrass your child. Consider bandaging the child’s hands only if they are not in school and not out in public. This may work best at home or when the child is sleeping.

Talk to your child.

Having a simple chat with your child may be enough to help them stop the habit. Stay positive and offer gentle reminders to stop sucking their fingers may provide enough reinforcement to curtail the problem. Ask your child, “Did you know that sometimes you suck your thumb?” If your child says “no,” then it’s a good sign that the habit is a natural reflex that can easily be forgotten with gentle reminders. However, you may find that your child sucks their fingers as a way to get your attention. In this case, ignoring your child is sometimes the best way to break the habit. Spare your child any embarrassment about their habit. If your child starts sucking their fingers in public out of habit, then have a special hand signal or private cue to alert them to stop. You could also use a code word such as “bubbles” to let your child know to stop.

Encourage your child.

Breaking a habit is hard for a child to do. So, it’s very important to encourage your child every step of the way. Remind your child how good it will feel to be a "big kid." Make sure to offer reassurance often, especially if the child makes a mistake. You can say, “I know this is really hard Sara, but you’re doing a great job at not sucking your fingers.” Play a game of show and tell with your child to help encourage them. For example, stand with your child in front of a mirror and have her look at your and their teeth. If your child has a small gap, you can say, “If you keep sucking your fingers, you’ll end up looking like that wascally wabbit Bugs Bunny. Do you want to have big teeth like Bugs?”

Praise your child.

Part of encouraging your child is providing praise. Whenever your child has a milestone or does something that shows they are learning to not suck their fingers, remember to offer heaping praise. Not only does this make your child feel great, but can also reinforce the lessons you are teaching about not sucking on their fingers. Tell your child, “I haven’t seen you suck your thumbs at all today. Wait to go! Why don’t we put a sticker on the calendar?” Likewise, you could say, “Christopher, I noticed that you started to put your fingers in your mouth and then stopped and got a book. That was awesome and I am so proud of you!” Offer verbal and other forms of praise. For example, put stickers on a calendar towards a reward or other goal. You could also make a sign for your child that says, “Way to go, Sam!” and decorate it with stars and other designs.

Reward your child.

If your child is meeting goals or has stopped sucking their fingers, reward them! You don’t have to do anything elaborate, just a small gesture such as an extra bedtime story, a trip to the park, or a small toy can help show your child you are proud of their accomplishment. In addition, it will help reinforce the lessons you are teaching your child about not sucking their fingers.

Stay away from unpleasant techniques.

Don't your child’s nail with a bitter substance such as vinegar or a harmless polish. Be aware that these may backfire and cause your child significant stress and anxiety, which can lead to further finger sucking. Be aware that polishes or varnishes formulated to discourage finger sucking are not harmful to your child. They simply taste bad. Pay close attention and see how this approach affects your child. If it seems to be causing them more harm than good, try something else.

Resist giving negative feedback.

Whatever you do, never scold, ridicule, or criticize your child’s finger-sucking habit. This can cause your child significant trauma and may cause them to more fervently continue the habit. Use only positive words and remove yourself from a situation if you feel you cannot control your reaction to your child. Remind yourself that your child is a child. You might also want to remind yourself how hard it is for you to break bad habits and that it can be especially difficult for a child.

See the dentist.

If nothing seems to stop your child's habit, schedule an appointment with the dentist. Often a dentist can give you tips or tricks that may get your child to stop sucking their fingers. Even letting your dentist talk to your child may be enough to curtail the habit. Inform your dentist’s office why you are coming for the visit. Make sure to let the dentist know your concerns in private where your child cannot hear you, which may cause them trauma. Ask your dentist what they think is the best way to get your child to stop sucking their fingers. A mouth guard or other special appliance may be recommended if the finger sucking is causing any problems.

Keep developmental stages in mind.

Many children will stop sucking their fingers as toddlers. This may happen between the ages of 2 and 4, but could happen later as a result of peer pressure from school. Thumb sucking generally only becomes a problem for you if it either is a social issue for your child or their permanent teeth have started to develop. Reminding yourself that thumb sucking is a normal part of a childhood that eventually disappears may help you and your child avoid a traumatic experience. Ask yourself if your child’s thumb sucking is harming them—or more you. This may help you figure out if this is the right time to break your child’s habit. Be aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends treatment only for children who suck their fingers after the age of 5.

Consider ignoring the problem if they're still young.

Most children stop sucking their fingers between the ages of 2 and 4. So, you can opt to simply not do anything about it. This may prevent trauma or other problems with your child unless their thumb sucking is causing other issues. Weigh out which option may be best for your child by considering their personality and other factors such as social pressure or your personal feelings. Remember that sucking fingers is a natural reflex for children and may provide more comfort than harm, especially if you try and forcibly stop your child from sucking their fingers.