Hello, I have a five year old daughter who holds her blanky and sucks her thumb. My husband and I talked about just taking it away but it seems so harsh. What would be a more gental approach?
We started with the only in the room with the blanky and it last for about one and a half days but I'm going to keep on keepen on cuz she didn't have a problem with it as a whole, so thanks again for all the sugg. we may have to try them all. This is not going to be easy but it could be a lot worse. T.
They have theripist for thumb sucking!! My firend took her daughter and she stopped within a month.
My daughter is three and she sucks her thumb and also has a blanky.She is good about not taking her blanky into a store and things like that.But she does have it in the car and everywhere else we go.I do not see anything wrong with it.It is her comfy and it seems to calm her down when need be.The same for her sucking her thumb.She only does it when she is tired, watching tv or nervous about something..My eight year old had a blanky and still does.But she never wants it anymore but wants it kept in the closet.I cannot throw it away..She just grew out of it I guess.Seems to me around pre-school she decided she was a big girl and did not need it anymore..
Our 5 yr old is the same.
We put limits on when and where he can use his blanky/suck his Fingers.
The Blanket stays in his bedroom if he needs/wants it he has to go to his room.
He can suck his fingers in his bedroom, or in the car as long as he's quiet (no slurping)
It took a while but he no longer spends 3+hours in his bedroom cuddling with his blanky.
The finger thing is harder but it's getting better I notice that he only does it when he's tired or bored instead of constantly
T.,
Well as for the thumb sucking theres a nail polish you can get for her I guess it works my step mom is getting it for my 6 year old sister. Now for the blanket its not a bad thing at all I'm 17 years old and still have mine. I wouldnt take it away it gives her something to hold on to. Just hide it from her during the day and only let her have it at night. I now use mine as a pillow but I still take it with me when I go stay places I'm not sure why I just feel more safe with it. Thats all I can think of to help you.
N.
Hi~
I have a little one who sucks his thumb, too. He's 3 and we have managed to get the blankie to be left in bed and now we're working on the thumb. I don't see the harm in limiting it to bedtime, as long as she is not doing her teeth any harm. Depending on how much pressure kids are putting on their teeth, they can do some damage. Of course this is only my opinion, but I think we, in general, are expecting our kids to grow up too fast and be little adults when they are just babies! (i.e. thumbsucking, classes, sports, pageants...ugh, playgroups, lessons of all sorts, perfect manners, etc.) Now, Im not saying that these things can't be good for them..just not all at once. I say help her learn that thumbsucking and blankie belong in bed, and I'll bet the rest will take care of itself. Best of luck!
~L.
The blanky is comforting (as is the thumb sucking) and is fine as long as it isn't going everywhere and prohibiting her development. Bed time, nap time, car rides, vacations, etc. I sucked my thumb until I was 8 or 9 (I know!). My parents tried everything to get me to stop. My teeth are fine and eventually I stopped on my own. I wouldn't worry about it too much if it is just at night.
Well - I haven't exerienced this but I've heard a neat idea. I've heard parents cut out piece of the blankie large enough to fit in the kiddos pocket. Then they still have their comfort item with them with out a huge blanket. Then you could let her keep the larger portion in her bed.
As for thumbsucking - thats tough. my nephew is 7 and sucks his ALL the time. I think if she only does it at night then it's not problem. But if it's constant I would start with gentle reminders to keep her thumb out of her mouth.
I have a 4 yr. old who loves his blanky too. Unless we have a long car trip, "B" as he refers to it, has to stay at home. He's really only interested in the blanket when it's time for bed and I imagine as he gets older the need for it will be less and less. I figure it doesn't seem to harm anything & if it's a comfort to him, why take it away?
As for the thumb sucking I'm not sure....perhaps see what your dentist has to say? I know there used to be pepper tasting nail polish to help with nail biting....I'm not sure if that is still around but maybe that would do the trick?
My brother limited my nephew to sucking his thumb and having his blankie only at nap and bed time. It worked like a charm. He ended up just giving it up on his own from there. I also think just stopping cold turkey is too traumatic.
