Thumbsucking

Reese started sucking her thumb about a week ago and now it is in full force. I am unsure how I feel about it, I just worry about later in life, when I have a 6 year old that is still sucking her thumb . . . how will feel then. And why am I worried about 6 years from now - that is what I do. I worry.

I jumped on the internet and discovered many infants don't suck their thumb out of the womb (which I assumed they did) but that many do it later ~ around 4 - 4 1/2 months. Well, look at that - she is right on schedule. I found this information on drgreen.com ~ it makes me feel a bit better, but I will still worry.

Infants are hard-wired to need and enjoy sucking as a separate experience from feeding. In some infants this need is more pronounced than in others. Infants tend to exhibit the sucking behavior most when they are tired, bored, or in need of comfort.

Many parents are worried that their children won't stop thumb sucking at the appropriate age. The great majority of children stop thumb sucking spontaneously as they get caught up in learning new skills and no longer need to be stimulated or comforted by sucking. A study by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton indicates that as many as 94% have finished with sucking their thumbs by their first birthdays.

I must add . . . it is very freaking cute!