Just curious and I know many of you have had a similar experience...
My daughter just turned one and during the past few weeks has become a thumb sucker. When it began I ignored the behavior because she was also getting some molars. All 4 prongs on both teeth have popped through, but she is still constantly putting her thumb in her mouth. I can distract her with a toy, song etc. when we are playing together, but when we are in the car or on a walk in her stroller - her thumb immediately goes in her mouth. I've tried giving her toys, books, food, etc. but she just wants her thumb.
I'm mostly concerned that if I do not stop the thumb sucking now, it will go on forever.
I read some responses to the 5 yr old thumb sucker and because of her age I'm concerned about putting a band-aid or plastic guard on her finger. Thoughts? Advice?
Thanks in advance, D.
Hello,
My 19 month old is a thumb sucker and it seems to have gotten worse over the last few months. I have read that taking away their thumb is much worse than the long-term consequences and that any problems resulting in their teeth do not happen before the age of 4. I am always on the fence, my girl;s teeth have not changed yet, she does rely on it to self-sooth so that has been the most important thing for me.
Hope this helps!
Leave her alone. Sucking is something babies need to do, until even age 3 or 4. It's natural, and why they nurse so long if they are allowed to (which they should be). Don't take away this method of self comfort now. Let her be.
I have raised 8 children of my own and out of the eight were two thumb sucking boys with a blanket. They sucked their thumb one up until he was nine and the other was 13 years of age. Guess what, all my other children had crooked teeth and the two thumb suckers had perfectly straight teeth. Leave, them alone, some just need extra security. I was ten years old when I decided to stop and with a blanket. And my mother tried everything. Now I'm a grandmother with eight grandchildren thus far out of only three of my children, got five more to go. Mama Hayes
D., my youngest son is now 23 and was observed sucking his thumb even on an ultrasound when I was carrying him. My oldest son liked his pacifier; the younger one carried his pacifier with him-his thumb. He stopped on his own. I can't remember his age, maybe 5 or 6. I mentioned it to the dentist one time and he said if I hadn't told him, he would have never suspected that Kevin sucked his thumb as his teeth are absolutely perfect. Of course, every situation is different, but personally I would not worry about it. Good luck.
I'm curious if you just stopped nursing? My daughter has been a thumb sucker since she was 3 months old. She's 2 3/4 now and still loves her thumb. But she never sucked it "that" much until after I stopped nursing at 25 months. I believe that 80% of kids grow out of thumb sucking on their own by age 5. I wouldn't stress so much about it. She's just learning another self soothing technique.
it is her way of selfcomfort. I would leave it be for a while. If she is still doing it at 2, then use the bandaid etc.
I am not sure on how you are going to stop the thumb sucking but I know it has to stop. Time and time again children walk into the dental office where I work at and we see the detrimental effects thumb or pacifier sucking has in the later years if not stopped by the age of 2-4. Early orhthodontic treatment with kind of a pokey device to train children through slight pain to not do certain habits. Kids actually report that it's not that bad but why put yourself and your child through it if not necessary. Good luck and don't give up but stopping is a must.
I really think you shouldn't worry about it and let your daughter suck her thumb if it makes her happy. I have a 5 1/2 year old who is just now deciding on her own that she is going to stop sucking her thumb. At around age 3 or so she limited her thumb sucking to in bed or when she's really tired or watching a movie. I had told her you aren't allowed to suck your thumb at school and she never did. I'd always asked her teachers at pre-school if she sucked her thumb at school and they said never. I also have a 3 year old daughter who loves the pacifier, but, again, it is limited to the car or sleep time. And, I have a 6 month old little boy who is starting to suck his thumb and I'm so happy. Since I have both, I can tell you the thumb is better! Let her do it and know that it makes her happy and someday, she will stop.
And, by the way, our pediatric dentist is not worried about it at all. He tells me to not worry about it and she will stop eventually when she is ready and I really think it is true.
Here's some info that I hope might be helpful...
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/t060700.asp
http://drphil.com/shows/show/538/
Best wishes,
J.
My daughter is now 9, but as an infant and toddler she was a thumb sucker. One of the things that worked for a while when she was a toddler was making her thumb into a puppet. the entire family was in on it and we made sure that her puppet friend did not go into my daughters mouth. It worked for a couple of weeks. It was not until my daughter was older and could reason better and her two front teeth came in that she understand the dental impact that thumbsucking had. She used her thumb only during naps and at night, but once those front teeth came in she just stopped. Now this summer we are seeing the ortho for her needs. It is going to be expensive. Just my experience, don't know if it helps. But thought I could share it with you. It is a tough battle.
