My 3 year old has sucked her thumb since she was 2 years old. When I took her choopie (pacifier) away she started sucking her thumb. I have put that nail biter stuff on her finger and she just sucks it off and then we are back to square one. She has cut it down on her own to when she is tired and to fall asleep. So if any of you ladies can help me out. That would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Thank you all for the advice. You have opened my eyes so much I actually teared up!!! I will try it all since her thumg looks all scaley from sucking on it and she also has a bump (wort looking) on it from her teeth. I have realized she actually uses it as a comforting thing. Because she doesnt sleep with me. But thank you again and I will keep you posted on her progress. :)
I also have a 7 yr old stepson who continues to suck his thumb. His father and mother do not seem concerned but it's not good for his teeth and he's taking in an awful lot of germs. I am very interested to read the responses you receive from others who can offer some help.
I was a thumb sucker and that bitter nail stuff didn't work for me because it came off too fast. My mom then turned to a trick that she learned from my grandmother, take a bar of ivory soap and scratch her nail across it so that a little gets under her nail. It doesn't take much and man it tastes bad.
I sucked on my finger until I was about 6. I remember my parents putting tape and hot sauce on my finger to get me to stop. I am not sure what finally got me to stop sucking my finger. I do remember my mom sitting me down and showing me what I was doing to my finger. My finger had a bump where my teeth hit my finger. I usually sucked my finger when I was nervous or unconfortable about my situation. Hang in there with your support and guidance she will stop eventually.
I don't know if this will help.............My daughter who is now 7yrs old sucked her thumb also. She use to do it all the time when she was a toddler. The older she got she cut it down to when she was tired, or insecure. We tried everything we could think of to help her stop, but then decided that it's got to be a natural thing. What adult do you know that sucks there thumb, or carries around a blanket? We always gently reminded her to stop sucking her thumb when she did, but never made it a BIG issue with her. Eventually she stopped. (I think she was 6yrs). It was only when she was tired, we'd all laugh about it when we would say Laura? Stop sucking your thumb........your a BIG kindergardener now......then she would smile and pull her thumb out, and we'd all giggle. She did stop. Personally, I would'nt pressure your child. I think in time she will stop. I would defently make her concious of it though:)
Please try to relax.
J.
If you want to speed up the process, perhaps try educating her about how it's not appropriate. For instance, check out books on that topic and read it to her. Education and communication is key. Make sure she understands. There might even be children videos about this topic as well. In reality though, in time she can get out of this phase on her own.
Try to have a cheerful attitude and smile. Be patient and things will work out in time. Your attitude can directly affect her.
My soon to be 6 year old son STILL sucks his thumb! I just try to remind him nicely that he needs to take his thumb out during the day. It use to bother me because none of my friends kids sucked their thumbs. I think that it is a comfort thing and if I remind him then he takes his thumb out of his mouth. I guess it just takes time and I can't get mad at him. I still sometimes bit my fingernails when I get nervous about something. I have to remind myself to stop.
It's just a bad habit, that with a few gentle reminders will stop. At least I hope so! :-)
Good Luck! I totally understand! :-)
I am not sure about this one. As a mom of five children ages 20, 19, 14, 10, and 8, I did not have any persistent thumb suckers. However, my sister was a persistent thumb sucker and did not quit until age 11 or 12. I believe it is a comfort activity and it will not bode well should it become a battle of the wills. A discussion on what the child would be willing to trade for giving up on the thumb sucking might just to the trick.
Oh Oh, we just went through this with my 6 years old. We took her to the local orthodontist and (for free) they started a "Thumb Club". The person that started it said that it takes away the 'praent/child' thing and kids respond better to it. She gave Channing a calendar for the month and some stickers. She put 1 sticker on each day that she didn't suck her thumb during the day and 2 for each night. She told Channing to talk to her thumb and tell her, "I am not going to suck you anymore." Channing and the coordinator shook hands on it and made an appointment for 4 weeks and that was it. She did it!! Wednesday we went in for the follow up appointment and the coordinator had balloons and a gift bag with a stuffed animal, stickers and coloring pencils. She graduated!!!
Good luck!!
Hi! You can always coonsult your dentist. There is an appliance that is specifically designed to stop little ones from sucking their thumbs. When your daughter gets to a be a bit older 5-6years old, sucking your thumb can cause irreversible damage to her facial bones. The appliance cements to the upper teeth not letting her get a good suction on the roof of her mouth. She would wear it for 6months to a year- depending.
My sister used it for her daughter before she started kindergarden. She did not want the other children teasing her at school for sucking her thumb or wearing the appliance. In about 8 months, she stopped. She only suffered 1-2 nights of saddness, then adapted fine. She had it removed over a year ago- still no sucking!!
No offense J., but there is so much more than thumbsucking to be worried. My brother and I were both thumbsuckers growing up and we never need any braces and I think we are decent, successful individuals. Thumbsucking didn't get in the way of who we are, what we've become, or our teeth (no serious illnesses either). If you are going to worry, be careful and pick you battles. Thumbsucking is harmless. It's a compforting thing.
