What you should know about pacifiers and thumb sucking.

The use of a pacifier or thumb sucking often causes parents to worry about the effects on their kids teeth. However most kids stop this habit long before any damage can be done to the jaw and teeth. In fact, it is proven that embryos actually suck on their thumbs while in the mother's womb. And the use of a pacifier and thumb sucking actually help children become comfortable with their environment and sense of security. Parents should not be upset over their child's need to suck their thumb or use a pacifier.

However, parents should be aware of the potential of a child to choke while using a pacifier. To reduce this danger, you should select pacifiers that come as one solid molded piece instead of those that have been created as separate pieces and fused together.

You should check the pacifier, especially the nipple end, to make sure that it has not become brittle. Brittle nipples can break and choke your child. Pacifiers should never be tied around the child's neck as it can create a strangulation danger.

By the age of 3 or 4, most children will grow out of wanting to use a pacifier or suck their thumbs. As long as the habit is stopped before their permanent teeth come in, your child will be fine. However, if they continue this habit has their permanent teeth come in, it is best to help try and stop it. This can be done by simply explaining to your child that they need to stop if they want their teeth to come in straight.

Negative reinforcement or punishment will only cause the child to continue the habit. You can tape your children's fingers or apply a bitter tasting solution to the fingers to prevent thumb sucking, but it may have limited results. A more effective solution is just to gradually wean your child by first not allowing them to suck their thumb or use a pacifier during certain hours of the day. If you offer them rewards such as giving them a teddy bear, blanket, etc., replacing the pacifier or thumb sucking. Then you will gradually increase the number of hours that they are not allowed to use the pacifier or suck their thumb until they no longer need these habits.

But the bottom line is that using a pacifier or sucking a thumb is quite normal for small children and shouldn't concern the parents unless the child's permanent teeth start to come in.