My 5 1/2 year old girl is a thumb sucker at night only. It is affecting her teeth. They are pushed forward and her speech in getting affected. The dentist is not that worried, and said we have a year or two until her permanent teeth come in. I would like her to get used to the idea of not sucking her thumb before its too late and her permanent teeth come in. We have tried the yucky nail polish and a clear thumb guard I found on-line. We have also tried bribing. I don't think that works because it is an uncounscience thing. She wants to stop, but as soon as she is going to sleep, in it goes. She has been doing this since day one, but I was hoping it would have stopped by now. Any suggestion on what worked with anyone else?
My daughter sucked her two middle fingers until she was 8 yrs. old and finally stopped on her own. We had tried the yucky nail polish, and the socks on the hands, but nothing seemed to work until she was ready to give it up on her own. She just seemed to outgrow it. Thank goodness there were no ill effects on her teeth. They are beautiful, without braces!
Good luck.
I sucked my thumb til I was 12 years old and because of that I did have to get braces.
My parents tried everything under the sun but as soon as I fell asleep in went the thumb. I was at a sleepover when I was 12 - everyone woke up before me and found me sucking my thumb. Never sucked my thumb a day after that.
I wouldn't worry too much about this. Kids stop this habit when they are ready. My sister sucked her thumb at night until she was in 5th grade and she has beautiful teeth. She never had to have braces. The dentist pushed my mom to get her to stop, but there was no stopping this habit. She gave it up when she was ready. Think in terms of the 24 hour day. If she is only sucking her thumb to comfort herself before bed, she is really not doing it for very long when you consider the day.
I sucked my thumb until I was 7 and I was one of the lucky ones that it didn't effect my teeth. It sounds like she definitely has a problem but her doctor isn't worried so perhaps just give it a little more time. I stopped without even realizing it, outgrew it I suppose. However, if this is something you feel needs a drastic measure, I do know of one. I do not know this family personally but my friend does. Their child had a real problem that too was effecting his teeth and speech. They took socks and put them over his hands before bed and taped them around the wrists so they couldn't come off. I'm told that he was broke of the habit in just few weeks. I feel bad for the kid though. Sounds a little off to me but it didn't hurt him and the mission was accomplished so I guess it was ok. Just wanted to tell you so you can have another idea if you need it. Good luck!!!
I sympathize! Because of an accident that involved my son's front teeth, we had to get him to stop sucking his thumb immediately, at age 3. My husband and I constantly say that that was still the hardest thing we have gone through with our children b/c it is such an unconsious action when they are asleep.
What worked for my son: The doctor told him he had to stop which made my son more on board for trying. We bought LOTS of band aids and wrapped his thumb up every night with several. The pediatrician would definitley not recommend this b/c of the band aids being a choking hazard... However, this worked for us. FIrst couple of nights were a little rough but it got better with each night. It has been almost a year!
Best of luck with whatever you do, it is a tough situation!
