How do I get my 2.5 year old to stop sucking his thumb?
Hi, Have you tried play doh? Its messy when it gets in the carpet, but, my daughter is also a thumb sucker, and when her hands are busy with play-doh, she doesnt suck her thumb as much. My dentist also suggested putting socks on her hands, to remind her not to do it. His son also sucked his thumb, when he was little, but now that he is a college grad, he is too busy!! LOL D.
I love this question.
They make thumb guards, try one step ahead... You can also try putting something spicy or bitter on his thumb. Good luck!
I'm in the same boat except my son is 3 1/2 years old. He doesn't suck his thumb all day, only when he's about to sleep or when he's tired. I know it's still not good but we can't just get him to give it up.
I would appreciate suggestions/recommendations as well.
i have my 2nd daughter who also thumb sucked. i asked her why is she doing that, she said she can't explain it but it makes her feel good. i respect that feeling.. i let her do it... when she was 5 years old she told me that she'll stop doing that when she'll turn 6 and i said ok.. she did'nt stop... mom, i'll try when i turn 7, i said ok again.... every year, again and again and again until she reached 10 yrs old when she totally stopped. she is 16 years old now... when we talked about it... we're just laughing! that makes my daughter happy and enjoying it.
Thumb sucking is one of the ways children comfort themselves. My son sucked his thumb until he was almost 6. As he became more social and confident, he stopped entirely. Kids who have oral "needs" will go to some other oral habit if you make it impossible for them to suck their thumbs. I didn't worry about it to much. I would suggest that you observe how your child manages stress as well. You may find that he/she is more sensitive to what is going on around him/her and needs the environment to be calm. If this is the case, it is good to identify it now so you can help the child learn coping skills.
I found that my son needed a lot of encouragement and assurance in other areas as well. He was and still is a very sensitive person.
good luck,
