How to Stop the Thumbsucking??

Hi! My name is E. and I have a thumbsucking child!!! But let me tell you, MY CHILD IS 14yrs old in HIGH SCHOOL and she STILL does it w/no shame!!! She sometimes hides by putting on long sleeves and putting her sleeve around her lips and mouth, to be able to suck her thumb!! I've tried it ALL and nothing worked. They need to break it themselves. So all I can say is that, just keep her hands clean as much as you can.

Give him time. He's still young. However, one suggestion my daughter's dentist gave was this product called Thumbguard. It wraps around the thumb. If he can manage to pull it out, then that won't work. For my daughter, it took a fixed appliance, a cage that hangs right inside the upper teeth, when she was almost 7 years. She wore it for about 7 months. She was already pulling her bone out.

M.,

My daughter sucked her thumb and I tried all that nasty stuff to get her to stop and nothing worked, so I just left it alone and when she started school she just stopped. On occasion she would do it when she was sleepy but that went away in time.

L. P

I was a thumb-sucker myself, and quit on my own when I felt too "grown up" to do it anymore. I did not suck my thumb in public. My teeth did not get pushed out. My parents tried everything to get me to stop, too. Now my son (age 8) sucks his thumb, while resting or at bedtime only. He would never dare do it in public or when friends are over, because he does not anyone to know. I tell him that it's not big deal because I know that he will stop when he is ready. I'm not sure that you can get a child to stop before they decide to to so. I'm also not convinced at all that it is a bad thing. It provides a sense of security and comfort, and it WILL go away when the child is ready, and I'll bet that this is true for your son, too. Some kiddos have blankets, stuffed animals, or other comfort items. Your son and mine have their thumb... harder to get rid of because it is attached! :) I really wouldn't worry about it. And I certainly wouldn't allow any teasing about it, or the child will only suck thumb in private, and probably feel that they are doing something "wrong."

Tell him that everything he has touched is what he is sucking on his thumb! Check with an orthodentist about inserting a device in the roof of his mouth.

My daughter's sonogram 18.5 years ago showed her sucking her thumb...She finally broke herself when she was nine. We'd tried EVERYTING...

My dad WOKE my mom up when she was 19...sucking her thumb in her sleep... She was very embarrassed and he teased her good naturedly about it forever.

I don't think you can DO anything to MAKE a thumb-sucker stop. The only thing I've ever seen that was semi-effective was the little prongs the orthodontist put on the back-side of a cousin's front upper teeth. She did stop. However, she was older and it was a night-time habit only.

Otherwise, as he grows encourage him to make the decision to stop.

Good Luck!

T.

Good Luck: My daughter is 10 and still sucks her thumb when she is tired or stressed. I have talked to her pediatrician and he had no advice. Dr. Nelms told me that he had no luck with his child. My husbands Aunt sucked her thumb until she was much older. To this day when I see a new mom with a thumbsucking child I always tell her to get a binky and do them both a favor for the future. My daughter is about to get braces and we hope that will do the trick. I wish you all the luck in the world at stopping you child.

I don't know if this will help or not, but I, too, was a thumb sucker. My mom did the yucky stuff on the thumbs, and socks over the hands, too. She said she finally made an agreement with me, that when I lost my first tooth, that I needed to stop sucking my thumb. That happened and I did, cold turkey.

Talk to the doctor. I am a mother of a 2 week old and I've noticed that she has started looking for those delicious little thumbs. My baby sister sucked her fingers until she was 7. My parents tried absolutely everything to get her to stop but her "brain told her to do it." Finally the doctor had a dentist install a retainer into her mouth that had a stop at the roof of the mouth, and it was IMPOSSIBLE For her to suck her fingers without squishing them. You might want to try that if nothing else works. Good Luck :-)

Our son sucked his fingers. When he was 4 the dentist suggested putting in a device that would stop it. Its like a retainer that stays in until the habit is broken. It fills up the roof of the mouth so that the fingers no longer fit. It worked wonders. He stopped right away and I think it stayed in 6 months??? Our insurance even paid for some of it. I think it was $350...better than a bunch of money on braces!

My daughter was/is a thumbsucker. She only did/ does this when she is extremely tired or upset. Ummm, she is now 23. Her teeth are perfect and she is very level headed. She graduated when she was 16, received her veternarian assistant degree at 21, and will graduate from criminal justice classes in January of 2009. Will be a game warden. Her neurologist told me for yrs ( she has epilepsy) to leave her alone. I did that instead of making a big deal of it. She never did it in school, only at night time, nap time or when she had a seizure. I say let the lil one alone. I firmly believe this is like a security blanket and some do grow out of it. Good Luck :)

I agree with Angela; leave him alone. When my oldest was about to enter kindergarten, the dentist told her it was time to stop sucking her thumb because the kids at school might laugh at her. Two days before kindergarten, she announced that this would be her last day to suck her thumb. She sucked that night, then quit. She is now 23, and says that she psyched herself out of it by telling herself to pretend she had poo-poo on her thumb. Better she traumatize herself than you!

I didn't deal w/ thumbsucking w/ my kids, but I would try putting tape or something abrasive on thumbs so it feels weird in his mouth or irritates him enough to where he doesn't like it. Obviously, nothing toxic or harmful in anyway. I don't know, that was my first inclination if the yucky stuff on his thumb doesn't work. Hope you figure something out.
Good Luck,
S.

My daughter (now 3) used to suck her two middle fingers 24/7. All of the websites that I found (as well as her doctor) said that it was nothing to worry about and that she would outgrow it.

However, upon looking closly at her teeth, I realized that her teeth were shifting. I took her to the pediatric dentist and the dentist recommended something called "FingerGuard". It's a plastic thing that you put around the finger, tie it with some colorful wristbands and it prevents the child from sucking. It's not painful - it's just a plastic thing on your finger.

The first few nights were really hard - but we made a game out of it and she got to choose which color of wristband she wanted to wear. After the first week, she would ask for the fingerguard. It cost about $70, but it was a lot cheaper than getting her teeth realigned.

Needless to say, about 3 weeks later, she stopped sucking or even trying to suck her fingers. Since then, her teeth have shifted back and are perfectly straight.

Fingerguard is the best thing. I found it on Ebay (new and boxed, of course). If you are really concerned about your child sucking his/her fingers, I would definately try Fingerguard. It's much better than anything else I found. -M.

My son just turned 5 and is still sucking his thumb. I asked both the dentist and his doctor about how to get him to stop. They both told me that I need to let him stop at his own time. He won't do it at preschool, but at home when he is just watching TV, napping, or just tired he seems to always have it in his mouth. I have put the restriction on that he not do it unless he is in bed, but there are times I still see him sneeking it in. We now have a fun "secret word" that tells him to get it out when I see it. Really, after doing some checking up on it I found that it really isn't going to hurt him until the baby teeth fall out. Once that happens then we have to stop so his teeth don't have problems shaping to the thumb. Just give him some time. I know that it is bad, but if he is only doing it at night and nap time then you are way better off then you think.

Let it be. I am a huge advocate for thumbsucking. It is a form of self-soothing that children discover they can control on their own. My 3.5 year old daughter still sucks her thumb as well when it's bedtime, or sometimes when she just needs to cuddle and "reboot." When she was a baby and discovered her thumb at around 6 weeks me and DH were overjoyed, because it meant she had found what worked for her and it gave all of us a lot more sleep! Bottom line, I think thumbsucking is great (notwithstanding dental problems at which time you could revisit the issue). Don't worry yourself about it proceeding into school age years - all little ones have all kinds of "lovies" - your precious son's just happens to be his thumb! Also, with a new baby on the way, his thumbsucking will be even more important for him, since it's his way of comforting himself when needed, and that will be invaluable when the new baby comes into the picture.

I was a thumb sucker when I was a little girl. My mother traumatized me when I was 3 or 4. I would go to sleep and in the middle of the night my mother would rub chili on my thumb. I would rub my eyes while asleep and the chili would get in my eyes. That was her way of getting me off the thumb sucking. I was a horrible experience.

I have 6 grandchildren and 5 of them have been pacifier lovers, however, I have a granddaughter the loves her thumb. I tell my daughter to let her go through the process and that she will eventually stop. It is her security blanket. The others, except for my 2 and 3 year old grandchildren, have stopped sucking their pacifiers. Just leave the child alone. How would you feel if someone would take one of your habits away?

PS.... I forgot to mention that my daughter, my little thumb suckers mother was also a thumb sucker. I left her with my mother for 2 weeks, and without my permission, she wrapped her little hand so she wouldn't suck her little fingers. She sucker her ring finger and middle finger. I was so angry with my mother.....how dare her to do that to my daughter. I had some issues of resentment with her. I know she meant well, but she went about it the wrong way...

I have no idea. My 5 year old daughter still sucks her thumb. I have tried (here are some new ideas): putting a glove on the sucking hand, taped her hand so she can't do it, gum, gum gum!!!!! However, these things work for the moment, she still sucks her thumb when she is bored or going to sleep. When you figure out what to do that works, let me know!!!! I have begged the dentist to put that metal bar in her mouth, but he won't do it yet.

I am a fifty year old mom of two adults and when my son was little to stop the thumbsucking I would use a sock that I would place on his hand and tie a ribbon at the wrist and advise him I want to see that on in the morning.

there's a book called, "my thumb and I".

There is a great book called "The Kazdin Method for Parenting the Defiant Child" by Dr. Alan Kazdin. I'm not saying your child is being defiant in his thumb sucking, but rather that he has an unwanted behavior. This book deals with helping to change a child's unwanted behavior in a positive way using positive reinforcement. It will help you to help your child want to stop sucking his thumb. It's a wonderful book that really works! You can check it out at your local library or buy it online or at the book store.

This will only work if your child is truly "ready" to stop sucking their thumb but it worked for my son at that same age. We got band-aids with his favorite characters (they were Bob the Builder) and put them on his thumb at nighttime and I just told him that Bob, Dizzy, whoever was on the bandaid was going to help him to remember not to suck his thumb. It scared me a little in case he sucked it in his sleep and it came off in his mouth, but that never happened and he didn't even try to suck it. He must have just been ready, but it gave him a little motivation. Hope this helps.

I am not a pro but do have a 5 yr old that was sucking his thumb so much that his top teeth formed perfectly around his thumb. We were told to put socks on his hands, that done, he broke the habit in a matter of weeks. Good luck. However, I do have a 30 yr old niece that still sucks her thumb and she has had 4 children whom she does this in front of, and luckily none of them suck theirs.

My son was also a thumbsucker. It can change the shape of their mouth, I've seen that in many children, but if depends on how they do it and how often. If he is just sucking his thumb until he falls asleep, and then it falls out, then thats not so bad. Its more important that he stops around the time he gets those new front permanent teeth- around age 5. There are lots of books about stopping, and a five year old in kindergarten usually wants to stop and not look like a baby. When he is willing too- try a bandaid around it to remind him not to or a mitten at night help remind them. Our problem was also a germ issue when he started school, I felt like sucking his thumb at naptime helped him to catch everything that came around.

I was a thumb-sucker until I was 7 years old. My mother tried everything as well to no avail. The dentist finally motivated me to stop. When I was in for a dental exam, he told me to look in the mirror everytime I was sucking my thumb and watch myself take my thumb out. I only had braces for 1 1/2 years and I do say so myself that my teeth are beautiful. Don't stress out too much until he is older. Talk to the dentist on his next dental visit (usually recommended around age 4).

Hi, M.
Many times youngsters suck their thumb because they are naturally trying to correct an imbalance or problem with the hard palate. Craniosacral therapy may be something you'd benefit from researching to help your son. As a craniosacral therapist, I have seen many children and adults gain tremendous benefits from craniosacral work. You can research it at the Upledger Institute's website at: www.upledger.com Just click on the "therapies" tab at the top of the page, and then click on the "craniosacral therapy" link for more information.
J.
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My almost 6 year old daughter sucked her thumb until she was about 4. The thing that worked for her was a trip to the dentist office. The dentist really had a talk with her about how sucking her thumb could hurt her teeth as she gets her big teeth in. Immediately after that, she gave it up. She still has a blankie that she sleeps with - but it's funny -- she just puts the blanket up to her mouth without sucking her thumb.

I wouldn't worry about it too much... I would agree that it should probably become more of a concern once the child reaches kindergarten. I think many times kids will outgrow it by then anyways because they want to be 'big kids' and not babies sucking their thumb.

Ignore it! Be happy it's only when he goes to sleep. When he's ready, he'll stop. Who cares anyway? The more pressure you put on him, the more he'll need to cling to it.

My daughter, who is now 38, was also a thumb sucker. I asked her dentist about it when none of my attempts worked. His response was that it would not effect her teeth, so don't worry about it. She was a "in private" thumb sucker until around 12 when she stopped on her own. She wrapped a bow around it and presented it to us at breakfast one morning. IF it gives him pleasure and helps him sleep, leave him alone with his enjoyment. When he decided to, he'll wuit on his own.

My sixteen year old step-daughter old still sucks her thumb at night. I believe for her, she lives far away, her issues have to do with past truama and feeling safe.
Since your little one only does it at naptime or at bed, I would try and create a calm atmosphere for him, rather than put stuff on his thumb. I'm not sure if there is busyness or noise or what is going on around him during these times, but the less stimulation (t.v., talking ect.) that is around him, the better.If he says he is afraid of something, you can always mix a bottle of water with something scented and harmless and create anti-monster, anti-lightening and even angel spray if that helps him. I have two boys, age 7 and ten. I know when my 7 year old needs a little more nurtering by the amount of stuffed animals he puts on his bed. Remember, mom, your son was sucking his thumb in your womb and that is where he felt safest.Now that there is another on the way, he may resist all attempts to get him to stop. Just remind him that he is good regardless. So, I think it may have something to do with that. In no way am I saying that you aren't nurtering. You can also give him incentives (calendar and stars or happy faces)and praise him when he doesn't use his thumb. It is something children do to help them feel safe, not a character defect or major cause for concern. No need to worry too much really.Hope this helps.

Hi M., like the others I think he will stop when he is ready but I understand your concerns. The fingerguard mentioned by a previous commenter is what I would recommend except the one for the thumb is called ThumbGuard. It is sold on http://www.leapsandbounds.com, just search for ThumbGuard. It is $75, a bit expensive but there are 28 reviews from previous parents rating it 4 out of 5 stars.

I have a little girl who just turned 4 and does the same thing...sucks her thumb to go to sleep. We don't do anything about it. Both my husband and I were thumb suckers and we grew out of it. I remember that I stopped when I went to kindergarten because I didn't want to be a "baby" or feel like I was acting like a baby anymore. My mother-in-law said that my husband stopped around kindergarten or first grade. We don't suck our thumbs now are we have good teeth...not damage from thumb sucking for 5-6 years!

Leave the poor kid alone and let him grow out of it on his own? *laughing*

Barring that why not try another establishing another routine during bed/nap time? I like to give my kids a back massage using the Peace and Calming essential oil blend from Young Living Oils (I can tell you how to get them if you want to try it)and it they LOVE it. It would be hard for him to suck his thumb if he were lying down on his stomach - you could just have him lie down with his arms at his sides and and give him a simply back massage for 15 min until he fell asleep.

You can't expect him to give something up without replacing it with something else - you'll need to help him establish another way to comfort and relax himself. Teach him a lullaby he can sing to himself to be his special "bed time song". Give him a stuffed animal or a special bed time book.

A. <><

I was a thumb-sucker when I was young. I remember hiding it at nap and bed time because of how my parents handled it. I stopped just after I entered Kindergarten. I distinctly remember seeing a 16-year-old girl with teeth that stuck out of her mouth and I knew I did NOT want to be ugly like her. I also was old enough to know that only babies sucked their thumbs. My son is two and a half and he's also a thumb-sucker at naps and bedtime. I am not going to "get worried" about this behavior until the dentist says to worry, or he starts Kindergarten, which ever comes first.
I think as moms, sometimes the more we tell pre-schoolers to stop behavior, the more they want to do them.
Good Luck.