You probably never thought you’d come to resent a pruney little appendage, but here we are.

Thumb-sucking may be cute when kids are tiny tots, but it can quickly turn into a habit that’s hard to kick. Which is why the question that’s top of mind for so many parents is: do you have to stop them? And, if the answer is yes, do any of those products that claim to help keep thumbs out of mouths actually work? Here’s what you need to know about the habit that’s so common among littles, including when and how to stop thumb-sucking.

Why do babies suck their thumbs?

When you spent hours staring at your newborn’s perfect little face (or glanced down from whichever Real Housewives season you were bingeing), you may have noticed them making little sucking motions in their sleep. That’s because babies have a natural urge to suck, leading them to put their thumbs or fingers into their mouth—something you might even see during an ultrasound before they’re born.

Around 75% of all little ones in the US will suck their thumb in their first year of life, so if your baby takes a shining to that pudgy little finger you’re certainly not alone. While the urge tends to decrease around the age of 6 months,  many babies will continue to suck their thumbs well into toddlerhood, and sometimes beyond, says Toni-Ann Antoniato, a speech-language pathologist specializing in myofunctional therapy and the CPO of Spot Pal. Typically, they turn to the habit to self-soothe when feeling hungry, tired, bored, or scared.

Extended thumb sucking can be a concern for parents, leaving them wondering about the ideal age for their child to bid farewell to this habit. Although your pediatrician can offer personalized guidance, we’ve got some expert tips if you’re looking to get a sense of how it’s done.

Problems with thumb sucking

It might seem like a fairly harmless habit, but thumb-sucking can actually impact a child’s development in multiple ways.

“Frequent thumb sucking over a longer period of time can affect the way a child’s teeth bite together and the growth of the jaw,” says Dr. Scott W. Cashion, president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. “The upper teeth may tip outward or become crooked and other changes in tooth position or jaw alignment could occur.” The earlier your kid stops their sucking habit, the less chance there is that they’ll have orthodontic problems down the road.

Cashion adds that the sucking reflex is completely normal and many children will stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers, or other objects on their own between about 2 and 4 years of age.

Thumb sucking can also negatively impact the muscles and structures of the face, which we use for speaking. When they don’t function properly, kids can end up having difficulty producing speech sounds, says Antoniato.

“Thumb and pacifier-sucking habits will generally only become a problem if they go on for a very long period of time,” says Cashion. “Most children stop these habits on their own, but if they are still sucking their thumbs or fingers past the age of three, a mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist.”

How to stop thumb sucking

Slowly pare down the habit.

Try limiting the time and location that thumb sucking occurs—for example, only at home or only while a kid is in their bedroom—to help them ease out of the habit, Cashion suggests.

Stay positive.

Cashion says parents should take a positive approach and focus on praising their child when they are not thumb-sucking, advice that Antoniato echoes. “Never do we want to do any type of social embarrassment or negative reinforcement to break the habit,” she says.

“Bandaid” solutions like that foul-tasting polish or wearing a glove on their go-to hand tend to be associated with shame and negativity, but the positive reinforcement of a reward or sticker chart can help some kids feel motivated to suck their thumbs less.

Find an alternative.

How you break their thumb-sucking habit depends on the age of your child, says Antoniato. “If your child is under 1 year of age, yet older than 6 months, try substituting the sucking habit with a healthier alternative, such as an infant oral motor tool or a textured teether,” she says.

“Also continue to stimulate the mouth with proper feeding, which can include introducing a straw cup and open cup and progressing into solid foods, which is typically recommended at 6 months of age.” Once they’ve started solids, foods with different textures are another healthy way for them to explore their oral cavity.

Speak to an expert.

Antoniato recommends an evaluation with a speech-language pathologist trained in myofunctional therapy if your child is continuing to suck their thumb or finger into toddlerhood. This will help figure out if there’s another underlying reason for their prolonged habit, like a tongue or lip tie. They can also determine whether additional referrals are warranted to help you get dedicated support in how to stop your kid’s thumb-sucking.

Consider an appliance

If they’re still leaning into the habit past the age of three, a mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist, notes Cashion. “If your child’s dentist identifies the need for an orthodontic appliance or dental appliance, they will talk you through what is involved and how the appliance corrects the issue,” he says.

This can be an appliance that helps kids kick the habit by making it harder to suck comfortably, or, depending on the kid’s age, it may be part of an orthodontic appliance being used to kick the habit while also correcting the movement of teeth that it’s caused, Cashion explains.

Have your dentist explain.

For older children, Cashion adds that their dentist can explain the effects of thumb or finger sucking on teeth to your child in an appropriate manner during regular check-ups. He says that oftentimes this advice, along with support from parents, enables many children to stop thumb-sucking.

When to seek professional help

As far as prolonged thumb sucking goes, Antoniato says there are some signs parents can look out for that can indicate the need for a professional evaluation. They include:

  • sleep issues such as mouth breathing
  • snoring or audible breathing
  • restless sleeping
  • teeth grinding
  • prolonged bed wetting

Antoniato says that oftentimes children will continue to engage in sucking habits when they are presenting with airway restrictions, which also often impacts sleep and causes sleep-disordered breathing.

Another sign parents can look for is if the teeth appear to be misaligned.

“Oftentimes the pressure of the thumb and the sucking against the teeth cause the teeth to move and as a result the upper and lower teeth are not contacting each other correctly,” says Antoniato.

It’s also advised for parents to check how their child looks at rest – are their lips open or closed? Can you see their tongue resting forward, on, or between the teeth? Antoniato notes that at rest, a child should have their lips closed, breathe through the nose, and you should be unable to see their tongue.

“If you notice any changes to your child’s mouth or have general concerns, reach out to your pediatric dentist,” says Cashion. Their dentist will also monitor development during regular cleanings.

Overall, caregivers should remain positive and supportive as they work with their child to help them stop sucking their thumb, and remember that this behavior is normal and most children will eventually break the habit on their own.

Are you dreading potty training? Feeling stuck in an always-slightly-wet cycle? Wishing you knew when to start potty training? We’ve got you covered.

Potty training can definitely be daunting. Whether you’re dreading starting, have started and stopped more than once, find yourself on an unsuccessful plateau, or wondering when to start potty training, it’s a big step. The right tools are a must, so we found them for you. These products are clean, clever, and convenient, so not only will your kiddo learn the tricks of the toilet trade, you’ll be able to hang onto your sanity. We’ve been there and now we’re here to help tackle this childhood chapter. So if you’re wondering when to start potty training, it might be time. Read on for our guide to some of the best potty training supplies out there.

Joovy Loo Potty Chair

White potty training potty
Joovy Loo

The design of this training potty has a completely sealed inner bowl and has two parts that fit together cleanly, keeping cracks and nooks out of the way of splashes and spills!

Joovy Loo Potty Chair ($44.95)—Buy Here!

PottyCover 6-Pack Disposable Toilet Seat Covers

PottyCover

Potty training doesn't have to stop just because you aren't at home! These disposable toilet seat covers keep little ones away from germs and moisture thanks to the woven top and plastic bottom.

PottyCover 6-Pack Disposable Toilet Seat Covers ($8.99)—Buy Here

Potty Training Watch

SKYROKU

Thanks, technology! This little-wrist-ready wristwatch has a customizable looping alarm with music and lights to get their attention no matter what they're doing and remind them to head to the potty. It's lightweight, waterproof, and the perfect fit for small wrists. Available in multiple colors.

Potty Training Watch ($19.99)—Buy Here

Sposie Dribbles Underwear Inserts

Children's underwear liner
Select Kids

We're all for disposable kiddo underwear, but some kids find them a little embarrassing. Underwear inserts are far more discreet and can even work for older kids struggling with a bed-wetting phase or sleeping over at friends' houses!

Sposie Dribbles Underwear Inserts ($18.99)—Buy Here!

Poofetti

Jar of confetti
PrimaStella

This is exactly what you think it is. Aptly named "potty flair", this septic-safe, essential oil-scented confetti is sprinkled into the toilet when it's time to go, then flush away! Developed by a mom (we always love that), Poofetti can also be used as a target for training little boys to aim!

Poofetti ($5.99)—Buy Here!

The First Years Super Pooper Plus Potty Toilet Training Seat

Potty training set
The First Years

Let's get real: one of the most challenging parts of potty training is teaching your little one to be comfortable with going #2. This training potty makes it more comfortable, especially for kiddos who have some fear or discomfort around going. The footrest lifts their legs into a squatting position that's been proven to make going easier!

The First Years Super Pooper Plus Potty Toilet Training Seat ($36.99)—Buy Here!

The First Years Sit or Stand Potty & Urinal 2-in-One Potty Training Chair

The First Years

The 2-in-1 seat clips to the side of your toilet for an adjustable height urinal, or can be set straight up on the floor for a traditional training potty!

The First Years Sit or Stand Potty & Urinal 2-in-1 Potty Training Chair ($19.99)—Buy Here!

Double-Up Step Stool

Set of two interlocking grey stools
Skip Hop

The space-saving nesting design creates either a double-step-up stool or two separate stools to assist kids in reaching the sink for washing up or stand-up potty training!

Double Step-Up Stool ($22.00)—Buy Here!

OXO Tot 2-in-1 Potty with Travel Bag

2-in-1 travel potty
OXO

On-the-go potty training problems be gone! This seat works as a stand-alone potty with disposable bags (3 included) or can clip onto any standard toilet seat!

OXO Tot 2-in-1 Potty with Travel Bag ($20.95)—Buy Here!

Friday Baby All-in-One Potty Kit

Frida Baby All in One Potty Kit
Frida Baby

A one-and-done kit for all your potty training needs, it includes the Frida Baby Grow-With-Me Potty, toilet-topper, step-stool, and clean-up essentials!

Frida Baby All-in-One Potty Kit ($55.00)—Buy Here!

MooMoo Baby 8-Pack Toddler Training Underwear

8 pack toddler training underwear
MooMoo Baby

Amazon reviewers are gaa-gaa for these training undies! With extra-absorbent fabric that’s still soft and comfy on kids' skin and several styles to choose from, it's easy to see why verified Amazon customers rate these 4.6 stars!

MooMoo Baby 8-Pack Toddler Training Underwear ($26.32)—Buy Here!

Seat Magic Stickers

Cradle Plus

These stickers react to heat, so when your kiddo goes potty, the sticker changes from black to a fun image! They're reusable and shown to be extremely effective in getting your child trained within 1-3 days (all kiddos are different, but having a fully-trained little one within 3 days is a definite possibility!).

Seat Magic Stickers ($12.99)—Buy Here!

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Parents are singing this sour juice’s praises all over social media, but here’s what experts think of the latest miracle cure for your toddler’s sleep problems

For so many parents, bedtime is nothing short of a circus, leaving them as exhausted as their sleep-resistant children. And when kids struggle to get their nightly shut-eye, we moms and dads start Googling. Melatonin! Magnesium! Is it the nap schedule? Do we need to start meditating before bed? Is there some kind of voodoo doll I can use to get this kid to sleep?! When all else fails, sleep-deprived parents turn to social media for out-of-the-box suggestions—or, in this case, out of the bottle. TikTok’s latest magic bullet? Tart cherry juice for toddlers.

I know what you’re thinking. Juice? Yes, juice. Before bed? Uh-huh. Some parents swear that if you want your toddler to go to sleep more quickly and rest more soundly, all you need is some watered-down tart cherry juice, and they’re even turning it into bedtime popsicles, gummies, smoothies, and more. But is this promised sleep remedy actually effective and safe for little kids? We got all the juicy details with help from Pegah Jalali, a registered dietitian in New York City, and Dr. Candice Jones, a board-certified pediatrician in Orlando, FL.

What is tart cherry juice?

Tart cherry juice is, as you probably guessed, a tart-tasing juice made from cherries—specifically, Montmorency cherries, which are native to France and taste far more sour than those sweet Bing cherries you’re used to. According to the Cleveland Clinic, tart Montmorency cherries contain melatonin, a naturally occurring sleep hormone that helps regulate our sleep cycles (and a supplement you might have heard your mom friends talking about). They also contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps our bodies make melatonin.

A no-sugar-added bottle of this biting liquid can cost upwards of $6 for 32 ounces, with a serving size usually listed as one cup.

Can tart cherry juice help toddlers sleep?

The #tartcherryjuice hashtag has more than 60 million views on TikTok, and we’d guess plenty of those are from exhausted parents. But despite the many claims from TikTok moms and dads that their toddlers have never slept better, Jalali stresses that there isn’t any current scientific data studying the effect of tart cherry juice on sleep in children. Gulp. This means that medical professionals shouldn’t officially promote tart cherry juice as an appropriate, effective treatment for littles who struggle to go to sleep.

Related: How to Transition from Crib to Bed without Losing (Too Much) Sleep 

Is tart cherry juice safe for toddlers, babies, and older kids?

The fact is, we just don’t know right now. The most current study on sleep and tart cherry juice is from 2012, when researchers had 20 adults spend a week drinking an ounce of the juice before bed each night. In the end, this group slept better than the placebo group, and tests found more melatonin in their urine.

Another study from 2010 looked at tart cherry juice’s effects on a small group of elderly adults who struggled with insomnia. In this population, the researchers found that tart cherry juice did “modestly improve sleep,” but they reported that their “findings may not generalize to other populations.”

What this shows is that there may be potential to demonstrate that tart cherry juice is an effective sleep aid, but with study populations as small and limited as your toddler’s attention span, we can’t generalize the results to the general population—especially kids. This is something that researchers from both studies agree on.

What are the other benefits, if any, of tart cherry juice?

Jalali agrees that the melatonin and tryptophan in tart cherry juice “can help increase sleep duration,” though, again, this isn’t well studied. Upon examination of several bottles, we found that tart cherry juice offers consumers calcium, iron, and potassium. Cherries are also a good source of antioxidants and vitamins A and C.

Beyond this, the sour substance has been used by athletes to help with muscle recovery, thanks to its anti-inflammatory qualities. This has been especially effective after high-intensity events rather than regular daily workouts, says a 2010 study in the Scandinavian Journal of Sports Medicine. It found that when marathon athletes regularly drank the juice before and after competing, they recovered more quickly and felt less soreness and inflammation.

Related: Don’t Give Your Kids These Bedtime Snacks If You Like Sleep

What are the downsides of tart cherry juice consumption?

We empathize with any parent struggling to get their child to sleep. However, Jalali reminds us that the American Academy of Pediatrics “recommends limiting juice intake based on age.” For example, toddlers should only have up to 4 ounces of juice daily, which is half a cup.

Jalali also shares that we need to consider our kid’s oral health. Sugar shouldn’t sit on a child’s teeth all night, so if you’re going to give tart cherry juice a whirl, your kiddo should have some water afterward and thoroughly brush their teeth. Also, as a mom of four, the last thing I want any kid to do, especially a new-to-the-potty toddler, is to load up on a liquid before bed. That’s like engraving a formal invitation for a bed-wetting incident.

Additionally, kids’ interest in a particular food or drink can ebb and flow. If your only go-to for helping your child sleep is tart cherry juice, Jalali says we need to ask: “What will parents do if the child refuses?”

And finally, even no-sugar-added juice is high in carbohydrates, averaging about 30 grams of carbs per serving. Unfortunately, this is similar to the carbohydrate count in a regular soda. Drinking tart cherry juice alone, without any fiber, fat, and protein, can spike and crash a person’s blood sugar, which can make it harder to fall and stay asleep. So one has to decide, do the potential pros outweigh the cons?

What are other strategies parents can use to help their kids sleep?

When a child can’t sleep, there are so many possible explanations. Dr. Jones says some sleep issues stem from “lack of a consistent bedtime routine, a recent nap, a distracting environment, separation anxiety, a scary dream, or sickness.” Other potential disrupters might include a sleep disorder, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, an uncomfortable sleeping environment, and screen time too close to bedtime.

Parents have to become investigators. It’s always a good idea to keep a journal for a few days and try to pinpoint the issue. If nothing turns up, head to the pediatrician for some insight. Dr. Jones encourages parents to ask their doctors for sleep recommendations. She advises us to be mindful of children’s needs to have a “consistent bedtime routine, create a comfortable and quiet sleep environment, turn off and remove distractions such as electronic devices, and resist allowing your child to take a nap close to bedtime.” Be mindful that sickness can disrupt your kid’s sleep, but that “they are likely to return to a normal sleep pattern once they are well.”

It’s not a good idea to put a bandage on a symptom. Instead, you need to get to the root cause and work from the ground up to help your child sleep, ideally with the help of their medical practitioner.

Still on the fence about whether or not to try tart cherry juice? Dr. Jones isn’t convinced—yet. “There are many sleep aides that could help,” she says, “But, like tart cherry juice, many are controversial and unproven.” As parents, Dr. Jones reminds us of our number one job: keeping our children healthy and safe.