The parent of a 6-month old infant asks the nurse for advice about his son's thumb sucking. What ...

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Thumb sucking is a healthy self-comforting activity. Infants who suck their thumbs or pacifiers often are better able to soothe themselves than those who do not. Studies have not shown that sucking either thumbs or pacifiers leads to the need for orthodontic braces unless the sucking continues well beyond the early school-age period. The infant who has become attached to thumb sucking should not have additional attention drawn to the issue, as that may prolong thumb sucking. Pacifiers should not be used to replace thumb sucking as this habit will also need to be discouraged as the child grows.