Finger Sucking - Tolar,TX

My pediatrian said it is attached to their body so you can't take it away anyway. It is a comfort to them. Besides, they will suck it when you're not looking or at bedtime. It is one tiny thing they DO have control over. It's not really hurting anything and peer pressure will cure it if they don't stop on their own. However, the dentist is seeing signs of teeth starting to move (my daughter is 4 1/2). She very frankly told my daughter it is making her pretty teeth crooked and she would like her to think about not sucking it anymore. I don't mention it to her but occasionally when she brushes her teeth I'll say "Lemme see your teeth", then say, hmmm, "they do look a little crooked". I don't mention it otherwise. I think the peer pressure idea will work best on my daughter.

If you hear of any good ideas, please let me know. My son does this but he is only 18 months old.

I have a 6 year old son that has sucked his thumb since in the womb, and I used to wear myself out trying to get him to stop, tried everything and no go. Til one day about 2 years ago I just out of the blue noticed he didnt do it anymore,to my surprise he stopped on his own. I used to be so concerned about it. I mean it got so bad he would get a type of fungus around his entire thumb. I finally laid off of making it such a big deal and he quit... So try letting it go and dont make a big deal. Sincerly, B.

My cousin did this and her mom put hot sauce on her thumb. She quit after a few days. Her brother did it also and my aunt decided to not use the hot sauce. He STILL to this day sucks his thumb when he sleeps and he is 27 years old. Doctors do not always know best.

My mother had this problem with my brother,she tried to keep his fingers in safe messy things to keep his hands busy and too messy to put in his mouth. Other times she would use a mild mustard to keep him from sucking his fingers. It worked!! It only took a consistant several days. Good luck!!

J. B.

Take the fingers out of the mouth everytime and say no.