How Do I Stop My Preschooler from Pinching Her Nipple While Thumbsucking ?

I think you are on the right track offering her the blanket or bear, but i would try to find something that has a small rubber edge to it that would feel closer to what she feels when she is rolling a nipple. like an extra baby bottle or something, or a teething toy.

I would have a hard time doing it also, but i just wanted to say that yes, she will go ballastic for probably about two weeks but then the habit would be broken and no more thumb sucking.

Hi there,

I had the same experience with my son. All he loves to do is suck his thumb. I've tried all these different thing but he just switches to this other thumb.

I then just thought I would give up; I figured he isn't hurting anyone and that was his security blanked. Then I asked his doctor about it and he told me all the bad things that can happen as far as his teeth are concerned & its stops your chin development!

He told me to look at adults with no chin form and that most likely means they sucked the them...

So I searched the internet and found these pair of gloves...he loved wearing them & after a couple of weeks he has stopped sucking his thumb!

The gloves also come with a free toy monkey for him!

The funny part is we just bought him another pair because he loves wearing
them...he calls himself Sonic the Hedgehog...lol

Here is the site in case anyone else is looking...http://EndThumbSucking.com

Consistency! Of course she is going to cry. The nail biter stuff tastes bad. That's why it a deterrant. If you stop because she cries, then she's won. If you find something that works, keep with it. If she cries, then tell her, it's her choice. If she stops, then it stops. If not, then it stays until she's done. If this is something that you think should stop, then BE CONSISTENT and stop the behavior. Think of this as something easy to test your resolve. Things will only be harder as she gets older if you start giving into her now.

My 8 yr old son did this exact same thing from the time he was about 6 mo thru maybe 5 years old. He did outgrow it but to this day that one nipple is considerably larger in size like a small pea while the other is the normal size. I always reminded him not to do that but I know what you mean by not knowing which way to go. She will figure out one day that it's unacceptable too.

its just a comfort thing. explain to her that we cant touch that area unless we are in our room at home. we can suck our thumb but not touch our chest like that outside of our room. she will grow out of it sooner or later.

Mine does something similar with her belly button. I was thinking if I could find a onesie in her size, that would help, but I haven't had any luck finding a onesie in a 4T. :( I hope you get some good suggestions, because I'm really frustrated with this as well.

Try putting hot sause on her finger and as for her doing the other i aint to sure

The image of your little girl sucking her thumb and pinching her nipple...it's wrong, but I giggled a little bit. You have obviously decided to not try to break her from the thumbsucking habit. I agree with Jacy B. in teaching your daughter that there are times and places to stimulate oneself. Perhaps allow her to do this at home, but begin limiting it to her bedroom or somewhere more private. When you go into public use a really large band aid to cover her nipple. Make sure the band aid has a very wide adhesive area. The gauze won't stick to the nipple so you won't be ripping off any of the delicate tissue when you take it off. She will cry being deprived of a comfort tool, but keep emphasizing the nipple touching as private activity. Good luck. (If the band aid doesn't work and you're really serious - try duct tape. If you need help getting it off use baby oil. It loosens the adhesive.)

How old is she? Can you still put her in crotch-snap undershirts and onesie tops? And just keep reminding her.
I would not use hot sauce.

Wow, I thought my daughter was the only one who did that. She sucked her thumb and rubbed her nipple from age 3 to about age 5. She didn't do it because it was stimulating, but because it was comforting to her. Kind of how another child might play with their earlobe or twirl their hair. And no, no one showed her how to do it, nor was she abused. I, of course was mortified--especially when she did it in public. I noticed that often times, she was doing it without even realizing it. I explained to her that she couldn't do that in public and that I'd say "hands off" to remind her. She eventually stopped on her own, maybe because she was going into Kinder and realized the other kids weren't doing it. She quit sucking her thumb on her own at about the same time. She's 9 now and says that she just did it because it was comforting. It's incredibly embarassing, but they do outgrow it.

I can't believe what i am reading, this is not OK, no child should be told there is a time and a place to stimulate yourself. how would she even know to do this unless someone else has already done this with her. The thumb sucking should have never been allowed from day one. I've heard everything, i am really surprised of the advice. J.