My 2 year old is still sucking her thumb. We've tried using a product called "no thumb", or something like that, and we've also tried a small dab of hot sauce. The thumb stuff didn't do any good. IT didn't even phase her at all. The hot sauce worked for about a day, maybe two. Then she went right back to sucking her thumb again. When my husband gets fed up with her sucking her thumb every so often, he'll threaten to get the hot sauce. At which point she starts bawling. She's then good for about 1/2 an hour, or so, until she forgets the threat and then starts sucking her thumb again. My question is...Has anyone had success with something else? I've tried thinking of something that doesn't taste good, but not hot, in place of the hot sauce. I've even tried thinking of some kind of reward system. But my "rewards" aren't a big enough incentive to her obviously, because she's still sucking her thumb. Advice PLEASE! :) Thanks!
I tried the band-aid for the time being. While it's on, it seems to work fairly well. we'll see how things go. Thanks for all the great advice!
S.,
I'm a little late on the respose but I think if you draw attention to it, it makes it worse. I used to suck my thumb and my mom painted my nails. I didn't know (then) why but it didn't taste good and I wanted them to stay pretty like mom's. The taste does wear off so you might have to do a "touch up".
this might sound terrible but it worked for me. my (foster)daughter was almost 3 though and she only sucked her thumb at night and she really wanted to stop. these may all be a factor in this working so very quickly, but i put masking tape gently around her thumb and over the top. because she wanted to stop she didnt take it off, and that may be an issue with you. but obviously any pleasure they get from sucking is lost with the tape on. i hope this doesnt sound too bad....
There is a product at walmart called "stop the bite" it is used for nail biting. I used it to make my daughter stop breast feeding. It is safe and very effective. You just paint it on her thumb nail, and I dont think she will suck her thumb again. It is made by HOOF. and it is found where the nail polish is sold. Good Luck, it worked for me.... S. P.S. It just tastes awful, its nothing that is hot and its not the bitter stuff either....:)
They have something at Walgreens which is probably what you used. My son is 3 and likes hot stuff so I didn't think hot sauce would work. I tried bandaids before and he rips those off. I will try masking tape or maybe the silver tape. Thanks for the tip. But I wonder since he doesn't like green or orange veggies, if I should do that or even stick a green olive on top hmmm....
Hi S.,
My son is a thumb sucker. He will be 4 next month. About three weeks ago he sucked his thumb raw and needed a band aid. He was so mad that he couldn't suck his thumb. It is working though. He has kept a band aid on ever since and is no longer sucking. Try a band aid and be patient. It will happen for you.
S.
