Many children stop sucking on their thumb or pacifier around their third birthday. If your child has not stopped by this age, you should consider taking action to stop this habit if she is sucking on her thumb/pacifier for most of the day, if it is affecting her communication or social skills, if she is having trouble with her pronunciation of words, or if it is causing problems with her oral development.

Some tips to help your child give up sucking his thumb or pacifier include offering a reward or special treat, begin to limit thumb/pacifier use (first limit use to inside the house, and then put the kitchen off-limits, etc.), taking the air out of the pacifier by poking a hole in it or cutting off the end, replace the comfort of sucking with other comforts (for example, holding his hand when he upset), supply a substitute and keep his mouth busy by singing a song, playing a musical instrument or having a snack, and most importantly, ask your child about giving up sucking his thumb or pacifier and how he would like to go about doing it (slowly vs. cold turkey).

Avoid putting your child down or describing him as being ‘babyish.' Also avoid nagging your child or turning this into a power struggle. The more anxious she becomes, the more likely she will need the comfort of her pacifier or thumb.