Hunger and thumb-sucking
One rationale behind thumb-sucking is that when a baby has not had its fill of sucking at the breast or bottle, it instinctively turns towards its thumb. Dr. David Levy found that babies who were fed every three hours did not suck their thumbs as avidly as those who were fed every four hours.
However, some babies do not display this habit irrespective of their feeding schedule. On the other hand, some babies have been observed to suck their thumbs in the delivery room. Others start right from their days in the womb and may even be born with sucking blisters on their arms and hands.
Thumb-sucking need not be cause for concern if your baby just sucks her thumb for a few minutes before mealtimes. It is because she is hungry. However, if the baby reaches for her thumb immediately after feeding or snacks on her thumb constantly between meals, it is a sign that you need to distract her from thumb-sucking. Let her have a surfeit of sucking at the breast, bottle or a pacifier. Remember that it is important that thumb-sucking be controlled right at the beginning, not after it has become a well-entrenched habit.
Thumb-sucking and breastfeeding
It has been observed that generally breastfed babies are less likely to suck their thumbs. This is because breastfeeding usually satisfies the baby’s need to suck. It is the baby who decides when she is ready to let go of the nipple. The mother cannot tell when her breasts are empty.
Ordinarily, a baby sucks most of the milk from the mother’s breast in a space of 5 or 6 minutes. Sucking beyond this point is just to satisfy the craving to suck. If a breastfed baby sucks her thumb, allow her to nurse for a longer period of time. If a baby suckles at both the breasts while feeding and still sucks her thumb, the mother could try feeding her from only one breast the next time, allowing her to nurse to her heart’s content. If this does not work, increase the duration for which the baby sucks at the first breast and then allow her to suck at the second breast for as long as she pleases.
Thumb-sucking and bottle-fed babies
Thumb-sucking develops in the average bottle-fed baby when she can finish a bottle in 10 minutes rather than 20. This happens because as the baby grows older she becomes stronger, and the nipples become weaker. During the first six months, parents should attempt to slow down the pace of bottle-feeding so that the baby takes around 20 minutes. Keeping more of a vacuum in the bottle and buying new nipples with smaller holes can do this. However, if the hole is too small, the baby may think it is too much of an effort and stop sucking altogether.
Cutting down on feedings
As a baby grows older, it is natural that she does not need to be fed as often. However, if she has a habit of sucking her thumb, it is better to think twice before reducing the number of feedings. In all likelihood, her sucking needs are still not being met. She may have begun to sleep through her last feed before you turn in for the night. However, it may still be a good idea to wake her up and see whether she is willing to feed.
