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However, parents should observe that the child is frequently washing their hands if they do suck their thumbs, especially after toileting, playing, or eating. With pacifiers, safety can be an issue. Parents should be diligent about the size, shape, material and construction of pacifiers. If possible, the pacifier should be one complete molded piece and not made of separate components. Refrain from allowing the child to have the pacifier attached by a string around the child's neck as that could cause strangulation should the string become entangled in something. The nipple of the pacifier should remain firm, but not become hard or brittle as that could also break off and potentially choke the child.

When does this habit cease? Usually thumb sucking and the need for a pacifier passes during the ages of three to four years. It is important to monitor the habit prior to the time when the child's first permanent teeth appear (usually around the age of four to five). Children should be encouraged to stop the habit before their first permanent teeth start to grow.

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Most young parents have concerns about their children's use of a pacifier or even sucking their thumbs. Common belief is that children will suffer some kind of damage to their teeth or jaws by using pacifiers or thumb sucking. But in reality, thumb sucking and using pacifiers is quite normal behavior and children quickly grow out of the habit as they grow up.

Did you know that children suck their thumbs before birth? In the mother's womb, embryos have been known to suck their thumbs. Why? Whether it is a thumb or pacifier, children feel more at ease with something in their mouths. It offers children a sense of security and pleasure and parents should not become overly concerned with the practice.

Parents really have no need to be concerned about health and safety issues when a child sucks their own thumb. After all, it is impossible to swallow one's own thumb and choke!