Thumb Sucking - Montville,NJ

I don't think you should worry at all. She is using a very common and effective method of self comfort. She probably did it in the womb and will continue to do it. Forcing her to stop will cause a lot of stress for her and may result in her being a much less happy child. Why are you concerned about it?

My daughter also sucked her thumb when comforting herself to sleep, and did not use the pacifier. At around age 1 or so, she developed an infection on her thumb because she sucked it so hard the skin was broken and pus started to form. We went to the pediatrician and got some antibacterial cream, and the ped recommended dressing her up in larger sized clothing and tying up the sleeve in a knot so she can't access her thumb while sleeping. I ended up sewing one end of the sleeve and she got rid of the thumb sucking in about 1 week. Worked like a charm (and it was very necessary in her case). In place of her thumb, she liked holding her blankie close to her face. Good luck!

Both of my daughters had a very bad thumb sucking problem. I tried everything and they would not stop. My dentist recommended a nail polish called Mavala STOP. It is made in Switzerland and can be purchased over the internet. From the first day I painted their fingernails with this product, they stopped sucking their thumbs. It apparantly tastes pretty bad. I highly recommend it.

Don't worry about it, as others have said, she'll give it up when she's ready. Be glad she can soothe herself and doesn't need you to help her get to sleep. My mother's pediatrician always said he'd never seen anyone walk down the aisle to get married still wearing diapers and sucking their thumb. She'll give it up eventually. School often prompts these changes.

Don't worry about it yet...the only issue thumb sucking causes is bad teeth formation, and that is not worth worrying about until your child is getting his or her adult teeth in kindergarten or first grade. My daugher stopped on her own at age 4. If your daughter is five and still sucking, then you might want to try the sour-tasting nail polish someone below recommended, until then, just relax and enjoy that your baby can self-comfort.

I sucked my thumb until I was oh about 10, never in public, just at bed time. My mom tried EVERYTHING that was on the market at the time. NOTHING worked. I stopped on my own and so will your daughter. Don't worry....it's a great way for a baby to self soothe. If she wants to suck her thumb nothing in the world will stop her.....TRUST ME!!! :)

my question to you is why do you want her to stop? Its not hurting her, at least not right now. Its comforting to her and it can never get lost. I wouldn't worry about it right now. She is only a year old. I'd relax and just enjoy her.

Hi Kelly, I'm having the same problem with my 2 yr old son, if you get any good advice can you please send it to me. B.

P., I kind of agree with the other response. I have two daughters, oldest sucked her thumb, and I let her and she did it for quite awhile, but only at bedtime, (never in public )until she stopped at about 6-7. My youngest took a pacifier, and I thought it would be easier to ease her off it, and it was, at about 2 years old. However, it changed her. She wasn't as easy going. We took away the only way she was use to soothing herself and comforting herself. I regretted it for a long time......As long as she only does it at bedtime, allow her to sooth herself. Hope this helps. N.

My 22 month old daughter sucks her thumb too. I asked our pediatric dentist about it. His advice was to wait until she was 4 or 5 to try and get her to quit. He said "Too many children develop a studder when forced to quit too early. Teeth I can fix, a studder I can not." My husband and I decided to wait until she turns four.

If you get any information, let me know. My daughter is 6 and still sucks her thumb at night.

My 9 year old & 6 1/2 year old boys still suck their thumbs. Although they do not do it in public, school, etc, they tend to do it while sleeping, it's a comfort thing for them. The more we complain, the more they will do it, so I stopped long ago. If you are worried about braces, forget it, most kids are going to need them anyway.

my five year old is still sucking her thumb so I can't wait to read what others have to say on this subject.

my daughter is also a thumb-sucker and would never take a pacifier either. she still sucks when she is tired or is 'taking a break' at almost 19months. why do you feel she needs to stop at 12 months old? thumb sucking is very natural and the literature has shown no difference in the incidence of kids needing braces among pacifier-users, thumb-suckers, and kids who did neither. it's very natural and considered normal until around age 5 or 6. most kids will stop when they go to school. some kids carry a blanket or stuffed toy, some suck their thumb or pacifier for security. i wouldn't worry about it for at least another 4 years.

I have three girls, one who is now seven who sucked her thumb until she was about 4 or 5. She also did it only at bedtime or when she needed to soothe herself. I also have 2 1/2 yr old twins who both suck their thumbs when they are tired, with one who also has a "woobie" she takes everywhere! The other one also twirls her hair instead of having a woobie. All kids need something to relax or comfort themselves and they will pick their own thing. I have no fear that they too will grow out of their comfort quircks, so you shouldn't worry!

Why do you want her to stop? I have six year old twin girls and one has always sucked her thumb. I also have an older daughter. The thumb-sucker is BY FAR the best sleeper ... I think she learned early on to calm and comfort herself. She only sucks her thumb now at bedtime and while I guess it could cause dental issues, I just don't see a problem with it. I'd let her suck her thumb if that is what she wants!