Thumb Sucking - New Fairfield,CT

you could try putting something on her thumb thats edible but tastes very bad. I sucked my thunb until I was like 10 and I had teeth and jaw problems that I think were caused by it. Its defenitely something you should keep an eye on and try something to make her not want to suck it, but shes still young so she still has time to grow out of it. But I would defenitely try something because once she gets out of the habit she'll probably stop completely. Its just a security thing that makes her feel better when she sleeps.

My son is 5 months old and is a thumb sucker. My first born took the pacifier and my second son did not want anything else in his mouth but my boobie for milk. ( yes I have 3 boys) Each child is different and some need that extra suckling and some don't. I know it will be hard to take his thumb sucking habit away. ( harder than a pacifier, which can be thrown away) but for me I think when the child is ready to stop he/she will stop on their own. The more you put attention to it the harder it will be.

My son is 22 months and a thumb sucker. Usually when he is tired, upset, or doesn't feel good. He has had a few boo-boos on his thumb that have required bandaids, and he has done great with those, but we try to make sure that he has access to his thumb (even if the sore is still there) when he is sick, or teething, as it really seems to help him.

I have never made a big deal out of it and try to stop "advice" when people mention it around him. We use a lot of hand sanitizer, and I know I have seen him put his thumb in his mouth after it. When I have eaten something after it and licked a finger, it tastes nasty, but he doesn't seem to mind, so I know that that bitter stuff won't work for him.

I wasn't a thumb sucker, and neither was my husband, but we both believe that he will either stop when he is ready, or will address it if the dentist/doctor says it is an issue. Right now, it is a great self-soother, and I am happy that he has something to help him when he doesn't feel good.

I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. She'll stop eventually.

I wouldn't be very concerned about a 2 year old sucking her thumb. It's good advice not to pressure her. It's better than a pacifier, where they can suck all day and still have their hands free to do whatever they want. The thumb will need to come out when she needs her hands to play or to explore something. I wouldn't get involved with medicines or bad tastes.

Hello P.,
I don't know anything about this medicine, so I can not offer and advice with regards to that. However, my advice to you is to not worry about it now...she is so young. My 10.5 year old daughter was a thumb sucker until fairly recently (out of my 5 children, she was the only one to suck her thumb). When she was younger she would do it wherever; it was her source of comfort or relaxation. As she got older, though, (about 8/9) I was concerned about it with regards to her teeth. The dentist, knowing you don't want to pressure her, said to just encourage her to not do it with gentle reminders. At older ages it becomes more of habit that they may not be aware of. She would only suck when she was in bed or REALLY upset, and even then it was in her room. I think she got more self conscious of it. She will be 11 in April and doesn't do it anymore. As moms, there are so many things we need to worry about with regards to raising our children, and in the grand scheme of things, this is not a major thing. I have some moms of larger families than mine, who always tell me to "Choose your battles" with your kids, and for me this was one that I eventually decided is not as important as other things (such as character formation). I hope this helps. May God bless you as you continue in your vocation as mother!
C.

P.,
I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Most of the things I read when my oldest sucked her thumb, said that it doesn't mess teeth up unless they are still doing it when they are getting adult teeth. And when you can reason with your kids around age five, they usually just need a good incentive (bribe) and they will quit.
This is what I did..
My oldest sucked her thumb until she was five. At which point we talked about it, (leading up to her birthday) sat down and explained why it was not appropriate anymore, and we both came up with ideas on how to quit and when she would do it. We made a game plan (I wrote everything down), the week of her fifth b-day, using "no-bite" finger nail polish, using music as a distraction for falling asleep while holding her thumbs inside her hands. She did awesome. The first night she woke up about 2:00am and cried a little and said she couldn't do it, and she wanted to take off the "no-bite". I just held her and told her that I didn't know how to take it off with out it still tasting bad. She resolved to try again, and slept the rest of the night without it. We also prayed together about it, asking for help. Once in a great while after that when she was fast asleep, we would see her sucking her thumb. But never to fall asleep or when she was tired. I never told her, and eventually she stopped that too. She is almost eight now, and doing great.
So unless it is causing pain or health problems, I would just give it some time, until she is about four and then make you plan together.
Good luck
E.

My 4 year old still sucks his thumb at night, if he's upset or tired. It's less than when he was younger and I have never said anything about it. I am not planning to do anything until he starts losing baby teeth.