How do you stop someone sucking their thumb?

Don't make a fuss about it and above all don't use threats. You will create far more problems than you solve by this method. Children grow out of thumbsucking eventually; meanwhile simply ensure that if your child sucks their thumb their hands are washed regularly.

You might feel embarrassed if your child sucks its thumb in front of other people. If so, stop for a moment and consider it shouldn't bother them and it isn't their place to approve or disapprove of harmless actions on the part of another person's child.

If you really feel the time spent thumbsucking is excessive - for example, if the child is sucking their thumb most of the time and not simply when tired, worried or bored - please take your child to a pediatrician or a children's health clinic; during that consultation the whole picture, including any possible detrimental effect on dental development, will be discussed. Otherwise, be patient and don't draw the child's attention to it: it will stop one day.

Remember, your child is sucking their thumb in order to obtain comfort. Any perceived attempt to intervene will feel threatening to that child, and the last thing you want is an insecure youngster!

Don't take the advice of non-professionals when it comes to your child's health and happiness. Others might mean well, but the decision to act or to let nature take its course is yours, with the guidance of professionals if appropriate, and your child's well-being should be your only concern in these circumstances - not the opinions of unqualified people.