A Thumb Sucker Cure

If the child doesn't stop on his own

(HealthDayNews) -- Most children outgrow the thumb-sucking habit spontaneously, but if you're getting anxious, and if your child still sucks his thumb at night, there's a system from the Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis that usually works.

For one week put him to bed with a boxing glove on his hand.

Then, for 10 or 11 days put him to bed with a cotton bandage on his thumb.

Then, for 10 days, put him to bed with a small bandage on the tip of his thumb.

You can sometimes cut the time down by skipping the boxing glove, but that's less reliable. If that doesn't work, don't worry, just start over from the beginning. But be sure to use the boxing glove the second time around.

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