Thumbs Out
Most children suck their thumbs as toddlers. According to UAB psychiatrist Rama Pemmaraju Rao, M.D., it provides a sense of comfort and security for very young children. Rao says most kids stop on their own, usually when their permanent teeth come in. But if a child of six or seven hasn't broken the habit, it could be a sign of some deep-seated emotional need.
"Sometimes trauma, such as death or divorce, can extend the thumb-sucking habit. While positive reinforcement and/or appliances can help stop this behavior if it is merely habit, thumb-sucking that results from an unresolved problem or issue may require counseling to break."
Contact Bob Shepard, Media Relations, 205-934-8934 or [email protected].
###
RSS