Sucking on fingers, thumbs and pacifiers is common in infants and toddlers.  It provides security and has been shown to decrease pain in infants under 4 months.  It can be a very powerful habit to break in older toddlers and children.

Most children will stop the sucking habits on their own between 2 and 4 years of age.  No harm is done to their teeth or jaws usually at these ages unless they have a strong suck or unusual finger placement during sucking.  Watch for teeth not coming together in the front of the mouth.

Many parents ask how to get their children to stop pacifiers, thumbsucking or fingersucking as they get older.  Fortunately, most kids break the habit themselves.  As with most behavioral modifications, positive praise works much better than negative reinforcement.  Pacifiers can be left in the bed during the day.  Finger and thumb sucking is a little more difficult.  Praise your child when you notice he does not suck his thumb or finger in a circumstance he normally would.  Do not belittle, punish or embarrass your child when she does suck the thumb or finger.  (School-agers may notice, however, that classmates will tease, which leads to less sucking during the day, though not at night.)  If an older (school-aged) child wants to stop but needs help, you can cover the thumb/finger with a bandage at bedtime.  With children over 6-8 years old, dentists can put appliances in the mouth that make it uncomfortable to suck on the thumb/finger.

Some suggested books for children and their parents:
Ages 4-8 years
* David Decides About Thumbsucking by Susan Heitler
* Harold's Hideaway Thumb by Harriet Sonnenschein
* Little Thumb by Wanda Dionne

* Oliver the Bear by Dr. Dragan Antolo

Ages 6-10
* My Thumb and I: A Proven Approach to Stop a Thumb or Finger Sucking Habit, for Ages 6-10 by Carol Mayer

Adults
* Helping the Thumb-Sucking Child: A Practical Guide for Parents by Rose Marie Van Normal