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 Thumb sucking is a natural and common habit in babies and toddlers that helps them feel safe, calm, and emotionally comforted during early child development. While it is usually harmless until the age of 2–4 years, parents should monitor prolonged habits and consult a pediatrician if it begins affecting oral health, dental development, or overall well-being.

Thumb sucking is one of the most common habits seen in babies and young children. This is not just observed after their birth; nowadays, due to advanced technology, parents can even notice it during ultrasound scans. Well, this may sound surprising or shocking, but parents must understand that thumb sucking is quite normal and is considered a natural part of infant care and early child development. It helps babies feel calm, secure, and comfortable.

Parents must know that thumb sucking is quite normal and is mainly observed in infants and toddlers. This activity is soothing to them, and they feel relaxed, while some even sleep while doing this activity. This is a normal developmental behavior that helps children feel safe and secure. Apart from nursing or bottle feeding, infants enjoy thumb sucking and finger sucking because it gives them a sense of relaxation and emotional comfort. In most cases, this habit is considered normal during early childhood and tends to reduce naturally as children grow older.

Why Do Babies Suck Their Thumbs?

This is the most common question in every parent's mind. Well, there is no need to worry much about it, as thumb sucking gives babies relief for various emotional and developmental reasons. One of the most common reasons is comfort. Babies feel safe and calm, and thumb sucking also helps them manage stress, hunger, tiredness, or anxiety. This is why many babies suck their thumbs before sleeping or whenever they feel restless.

Thumb sucking also helps babies understand their own body during sensory development. During infancy, babies learn through touch and oral exploration. Putting fingers or thumbs in their mouths becomes part of their sensory learning, curiosity, and cognitive development.

Another reason babies suck their thumbs is because they feel safe and secure. Just like cuddling with a blanket, hugging parents, or playing with a favorite toy, thumb sucking gives them a similar emotional attachment and self-soothing comfort. Hence, they continue to do it and enjoy it thoroughly.

Is Thumb Sucking Safe?

Yes, until 4 years of age, thumb sucking is generally considered safe and natural by most pediatricians and child health experts. But once children become older and still continue with this habit intensely, it may become a concern for parents. Pediatricians usually guide parents to observe the habit carefully, as prolonged thumb sucking may affect oral health and dental development.

Hence, if the thumb sucking duration and intensity increase, parents must immediately visit a pediatrician or child specialist. As children grow, their teeth start developing, and continuous thumb sucking may create dental issues, thumb irritation, or oral infections. Constant pressure on developing teeth and the roof of the mouth can sometimes lead to alignment problems as permanent teeth begin to appear.

Parents should also keep a keen eye on their baby’s behavior and maintain proper baby hygiene. They must check and gently restrict if the baby’s hands are continuously going into the mouth unnecessarily. Keeping the child’s hands clean can help reduce exposure to dirt, germs, and infections.

Common Situations When Babies Suck Their Thumbs

Before Sleeping

Bedtime is one of the most common times when babies suck their thumbs. It acts as a signal to parents that the baby is feeling sleepy and wants comfort. Thumb sucking during bedtime helps babies relax naturally and improves sleep comfort. Many babies sleep peacefully while sucking their thumb without needing lullabies or additional soothing.

During Stress or Anxiety

This is another common situation where babies and toddlers suck their thumbs. Whenever they get scared, nervous, uncomfortable, or emotionally overwhelmed, thumb sucking acts as a coping mechanism that provides emotional reassurance and mental relaxation during unfamiliar situations.

When They Are Bored or Tired

Many times, thumb sucking simply becomes a habit during quiet moments. Children may do it during leisure time, while watching TV, sitting idle, or feeling tired. This repetitive behavior can become part of their self-soothing routine during toddler development.

When Should Parents Be Concerned?

Usually, thumb sucking is harmless, and there is no need to panic till the age of 2 to 4 years. But after that, if children still continue the habit excessively, parents should consult a pediatrician or child development expert. Once permanent teeth start appearing, prolonged thumb sucking might create dental complications, speech difficulties, or oral development issues.

Parents should also pay attention if thumb sucking causes skin irritation, speech problems, social discomfort, or emotional dependency as the child grows older. In such situations, gentle encouragement and positive parenting techniques can help children gradually reduce the habit.

It is important to avoid punishment or harsh reactions. Thumb sucking is often connected to emotional comfort and child psychology, and negative responses may increase stress or anxiety in children. A supportive and patient parenting approach works far better than forcing a child to stop immediately.

How Parents Can Help Children Stop Thumb Sucking

Offer Comfort and Reassurance

Since thumb sucking is often linked to emotional comfort, parents can help by providing reassurance, affection, and quality time. Maintaining healthy routines, bedtime rituals, and emotional bonding may naturally reduce the habit over time.

Use Positive Encouragement

Praising children for not sucking their thumbs rather than scolding them can be more effective. Small rewards, appreciation, and gentle reminders help children feel motivated without emotional pressure. Positive reinforcement is one of the best parenting strategies for toddlers.

Identify Triggers

Understanding when and why the child sucks their thumb can help parents manage the habit better. If the behavior happens during stress, boredom, anxiety, or bedtime, parents can introduce alternative calming activities, sensory toys, storytelling, or comforting bedtime routines.

Conclusion

So, the overall summary is that thumb sucking is normal and can commonly be observed till the age of 2 to 4 years. Babies and toddlers feel safe, secure, and emotionally comforted while doing this activity. In many cases, the habit naturally fades away with age and proper child development.

However, if the habit continues for a longer duration or becomes excessive, parents should consult a pediatrician or child healthcare expert for proper guidance and treatment.

Most childhood infections are mild and treatable, but some can progress to life-threatening conditions like sepsis if not diagnosed early. Learn the warning signs, prevention tips, and when to seek immediate medical care to protect your child's health.

We all know that after delivery, almost all children go through some or the other infections. This happens because for 9 months they are in their mother's womb and after delivery, a sudden chaos, environment, and sound etc becomes intolerable to them. To adjust in this big world, their body needs time, their immune system is not completely developed and hence they get easily infected. Most of the infections are normal and are manageable, but some like Sepsis is a life-threatening one and needs proper care and health experts to overcome the infection. 

Most of the parents are unaware about sepsis and thus timely awareness and diagnosis is important to avoid further complications. 

What Are Infectious Diseases?

Infectious diseases means those which are caused by some harmful insects or microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. These infections are further spread in the form of sneezing, coughing, contaminated food or water, insect bites, or direct contact with infected individuals.

Children commonly experience infections like:

a) Viral fever b) Flu and common cold c) Pneumonia d) Ear and throat infections e) Stomach infections f) Dengue and malaria g) Skin infections

Most infections improve with proper rest, hydration, medication, and pediatric care. However, in some cases, the infection may spread rapidly inside the body and lead to severe complications like sepsis.

What Is Sepsis?

Sepsis is an infection that occurs in the body when your own body fails to fight against the infection and supports it to reach an extreme condition. In simpler words, the body starts damaging its own tissues and organs. The sepsis infections might be due to various reasons like bacterial infection, viral or fungal and require immediate medical attention.

Especially in children, sepsis is spread very quickly, if not diagnosed or treated timely. Therefore, understanding the warning signs is extremely important for parents and caregivers. Little Fern is a renowned neonatal hospital care in Thane, Ghatkopar and Navi Mumbai, where all the premature babies are treated with utmost care, including all types of diseases like sepsis, hematology, gastrointestinal and many more. 

Causes of Sepsis in Children

Sepsis usually begins with an untreated or severe infection. Common causes include:

Lung infections like 

a) Pneumonia b) Bloodstream infections c) Severe viral infections d) Urinary tract infections e) Skin infections f) Meningitis g) Abdominal infections

Newborns, infants and children with weak immunity are more prone to sepsis.

Early Signs and Symptoms of Sepsis

Recognizing the symptoms of sepsis at an early stage can save lives.

Parents should immediately consult a pediatrician or visit the hospital if the child experiences:

a) High fever or very low body temperature b) Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing c) Fast heartbeat d) Extreme sleepiness or confusion e) Poor feeding or refusal to eat f) Vomiting or diarrhea g) Cold hands and feet h) Skin rashes or pale skin i) Reduced urination j) Unusual weakness or irritability

These symptoms may appear suddenly and worsen rapidly, making early sepsis management extremely important.

Why Early Diagnosis Is Important

For any disease, timely diagnosis and treatment is important as this will avoid further complications and other major issues caused by sepsis. If early diagnosis is not done then it may affect other organs like lungs, kidney, heart and brain. 

In the treatment process, doctors may ask patients to do various blood tests, urine tests, scanning and other important investigations to identify the infection and begin appropriate treatment immediately.

Early intervention improves recovery chances and helps maintain better child health and overall well-being.

How Infectious Diseases and Sepsis Are Treated

Medications and Antibiotics

Treatment depends on the type and severity of infection. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics, antiviral medications, antifungal medicines, or supportive treatments based on the diagnosis.

In cases of sepsis, immediate hospital care and intravenous medications are often required.

Hydration and Nutrition

To be hydrated is the most important factor and is common to keep your body healthy and fit. Hydration itself reduces most diseases. Also, if you inculcate a nutrition oriented diet, the immune system becomes strong and you get the power to fight against the disease. Children with infections may lose fluids due to fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, so maintaining hydration is very important.

Monitoring and Intensive Care

If sepsis is not diagnosed in an early stage and treatment is not done properly, the condition becomes severe and the situation might come where the child needs to be kept in ICU and continuous monitoring needs to be done. Timely critical care management helps improve survival and recovery.

How Parents Can Prevent Infectious Diseases

Maintain Proper Hygiene

Good hygiene practices play a major role in preventing infections. Parents should encourage:

Regular handwashing - This we know since our childhood and hence, it should be practiced in our daily routine. It is the foremost and basic hygiene practice.

Clean surroundings - This also plays an important role for living a healthy life. If our surroundings are not clean, it might affect our body. Hence, keep the surroundings clean.

Safe drinking water- Make sure that you drink filtered water as this will help to extract all the impurities and other bacterias that usually is observed in water.

Proper food hygiene - Maintaining a proper diet is important. Avoid eating junk food that causes harm to various organs of the body. Eat healthy and home-made food.

Covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing- This is another basic thing that needs to be followed. As by sneezing or coughing too, some bacterias are spread in the air and it affects other people too.

Maintaining proper baby hygiene reduces exposure to harmful germs and infections.

Follow Vaccination Schedules

This is a mandatory step that needs to be followed by the parents. Timely vaccinations protect children from several serious infectious diseases. Because of this, strength is developed and immunity becomes stronger that lowers the risk of complications and infections. 

Build Strong Immunity

Strong immunity is possible by following a healthy diet, proper sleep, hydrating the body and doing some physical activity. Nutritious foods rich in vitamins and minerals help children fight infections better.

Seek Medical Attention Early

Parents must take care of the child by consulting the best health practitioner, in case of severe fever, breathing issues, weakness or dehydration. Ignoring these symptoms may lead to some major complications. Hence, treat them early and give a healthy life to your child. 

When Should Parents Visit a Doctor Immediately?

Immediate medical care is necessary if the child shows:

a) Difficulty breathing b) Persistent high fever c) Seizures d) Severe dehydration e) Bluish lips or skin f) Extreme drowsiness g) Continuous vomiting h) Sudden weakness or unconsciousness

Quick medical intervention can significantly improve outcomes in serious infections and sepsis cases.

Conclusion

Overall, Little Fern team says that infectious diseases are common in the growing years of the child, but see to it that the infection is not harming the child and making the condition worse. Hence, timely treatment and diagnosis is important. For infections like Sepsis, a healthcare expert is mandatory and proper medicines can reduce the infection.

An arrival of a newborn in the family is always considered as the Mother's responsibility. She is the one who will look after the baby and only she is considered as the whole and soul of the newborn. But, we need to change this mentality. Fathers are equally important and their role also plays a major support in the growth and development of a newborn. One beautiful and scientifically supported way dads can bond with their newborn is through Kangaroo Father Care.

Kangaroo Father Care is a method where the father holds the baby skin-to-skin against his chest. Because of this, it creates warmth, comfort and security for the baby, especially for premature or low birth weight infants. Due to this, a powerful and emotional connection is built-up and it creates a safe place for the baby. 

Kangaroo care is mainly introduced for premature babies, who require extra care and warmth. Study says that fathers who actively participate in this Kangaroo care, provide equal energy of developmental and emotional benefits like mothers.

What is Kangaroo Father Care?

Kangaroo Father Care involves placing the baby upright on the father’s bare chest, allowing direct skin-to-skin contact. The baby is then covered with a soft blanket or cloth to maintain warmth and comfort.

This close contact helps stabilize the baby’s heartbeat, breathing, and body temperature. It also creates a calming environment where the baby feels protected and relaxed.

Benefits of Kangaroo Father Care

Stronger Emotional Bond

When fathers spend skin-to-skin time with their newborns, it helps create a deep emotional attachment. Babies recognize their father’s voice, heartbeat, and touch, which makes them feel safe and comforted. This bonding experience also boosts a father’s confidence in caring for his child.

Helps Regulate Baby’s Body Temperature

Newborns, especially premature babies, can struggle to maintain their body temperature. Kangaroo Father Care naturally provides warmth through body contact. This helps the baby stay stable and reduces the stress on their tiny body.

Supports Better Sleep and Relaxation

Babies held in skin-to-skin contact often sleep more peacefully and cry less. The father’s heartbeat and breathing rhythm help calm the baby’s nervous system. Better sleep also supports healthy brain development and growth.

Encourages Father Involvement in Baby Care

Many fathers may initially feel unsure about handling a newborn. Kangaroo father care gives dads an opportunity to actively participate in daily baby care. This involvement strengthens family bonding and creates a shared parenting experience.

May Support Breastfeeding Journey

Although fathers do not breastfeed, their emotional support plays a major role in successful breastfeeding. When mothers receive rest and emotional encouragement from involved fathers, it creates a more positive environment for feeding and newborn care.

Tips for Practicing Kangaroo Father Care

Kangaroo Care is a special practice that must be done in a quiet, serene and calm environment. 

Make sure that the baby first feels comfortable and even the father must get a relaxing time with the baby. 

No phone calls and no other distractions. Everyday this can be practiced for 30 minutes. 

Make sure that the baby is wearing a diaper and is placed safely and comfortably against the chest. 

Cover the baby gently with a soft cloth or blanket to maintain warmth.

Avoid distractions and enjoy calm bonding time with the newborn.

Practice regularly to help the baby become familiar with the father’s touch and voice.

When Can Fathers Start Kangaroo Care?

This can be started immediately, after the birth of the baby and by taking the permission of the Doctor. The earlier you start, the earlier you get the results. Hospitals and neonatal care units today increasingly encourage fathers to participate in skin-to-skin care as part of newborn support.

Final Thoughts

A breech pregnancy occurs when the baby is positioned feet or buttocks first instead of the usual head-down position before birth. While this can make delivery more challenging, regular pregnancy check-ups, timely diagnosis, and expert prenatal care help ensure the safest delivery plan.

Pregnancy is one of the most memorable and beautiful journeys for every woman. It includes regular check-ups, care, sonographies and many other things. During the last trimester, it happens that most of the baby's position remains proper i.e. head down and ready to push. But there are some rare cases where the baby's position remains different. This is called breech pregnancy. 

A breech baby means, where the baby's position is completely opposite i.e. feet facing downward instead of head. This position is considered to be very dangerous and complicated, as it is difficult for a normal delivery to pull out legs first as there are chances that in this vaginal delivery, the head might get stuck in between and the Mom might get exhausted. Such a condition requires special medical attention. Many times it happens that the baby might turn the position and come to normal like head downward. 

Types of Breech Positions

There are different types of breech positions depending on how the baby is placed inside the uterus. Understanding these positions helps doctors decide the safest delivery method for both the mother and the baby as part of comprehensive prenatal care.

Frank Breech

In this position, it is observed that the baby's buttocks are downwards and the legs are stretched near the head. This is considered to be the most common type of breech presentation seen during pregnancy. In this scenario too, vaginal delivery In some cases, vaginal delivery may still be possible under careful medical supervision.

Complete Breech

In this condition, the baby sits in a cross-legged position with both knees bent and buttocks facing downward. This might increase complications during labor which is why doctors monitor the pregnancy closely during the final weeks.

Footling Breech

In a footling breech position, one or both feet point downward toward the birth canal. This type of breech presentation carries a higher risk during vaginal delivery because the feet may deliver before the rest of the body. Doctors often recommend a cesarean section for safer delivery in such cases.

What Causes a Breech Baby?

There is not one particular reason for breech babies. Many times, the reason is unknown but there are certain factors that become the root cause of breech pregnancy.

Premature Pregnancy

Premature babies often remain in breech position because they had enough time to turn head-down naturally. As pregnancy progresses, many babies rotate into the correct position before delivery.

Multiple Pregnancies

Women carrying twins may experience breech position, as there is lack of space inside the uterus. The babies may not have enough room to move freely into the head-down position.

Low or Excess Amniotic Fluid

Amniotic fluid helps the baby move comfortably inside the womb. Too much or too little fluid can affect the baby’s ability to turn naturally during the later stages of pregnancy.

Uterine Shape or Fibroids

Certain uterine conditions such as fibroids or an unusually shaped uterus may restrict the baby’s movement. This can prevent the baby from rotating into the ideal delivery position.

How is a Breech Baby Diagnosed?

In the third trimester, doctors identify the baby's position and then come to a conclusion and confirm it.

A sonography gives a clear image of the baby's posture, movement and exact position inside the uterus. This helps doctors plan the safest approach for labor and delivery.

Can a Breech Baby Turn Naturally?

Yes, most of the time, breech babies might turn their positions. This happens before 36 weeks of pregnancy. Doctors may recommend certain exercises or positions that encourage the baby to rotate.

In some situations, a medical procedure called External Cephalic Version (ECV) may be performed. During this procedure, a doctor gently applies pressure on the abdomen to help the baby turn into a head-down position. The procedure is usually done in a hospital under medical supervision.

Is Breech Delivery Safe?

It completely depends upon the various health factors like size, including the baby’s position and gestational age. In this case also, there are chances of normal delivery. 

However, in most of the cases it is observed that babies are delivered via C-section to reduce complications. For every delivery, doctors study the case and by looking at the overall reports and health condition, the safest method is suggested.

When Should You Consult a Doctor?

Regular doctor visits are important. Every sonography must be done and proper medications must be taken. This helps to diagnose the position of the baby. Especially at the last stage or last month of pregnancy, the doctor visits are increased and if any unusual or discomfort is observed or the baby's movement is reduced, don't hesitate to consult with the doctor. 

Early diagnosis and proper medical guidance can help ensure a safer pregnancy and delivery experience for both mother and baby.

Conclusion

There is no need to worry if someone is going from breech delivery as in this, the only difference is the baby feet or buttocks are positioned first instead of head-down. This may sound to be risky, dangerous and complicated, but timely diagnosis and care make the pregnancy safe.