My dd is 2 and loves to suck her thumb. She has always pacified herself this way. I am starting to get worried about how it could effect her teeth. I would appreciate any ideas on how to wean her from her thumb.
I would definately correct this problem. I have an 8 and 6 yr. old that I haven't been able to correct. My oldest has a major overbite and his teeth are very crooked.
I wish I would have corrected this sooner because he is going to need orthodontia.
Good luck!
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I once followed a thread to see what moms were saying on this (I get so distracted--I think I had been shopping for diapers). It was almost funny because they were all telling about the many things they had tried--unsuccessfully. The prevailing feeling was that there must be some need behind this behavior, so it is very hard (and maybe not a good idea) to try to break it. This has also been my own experience. I have had four thumb-suckers (and three who did not). The first two stopped when they were 3 or 4. I just talked to them about it, discovered that they wanted to stop, and helped them by reminding them when they were doing it. Presto! My other two are working on it now. We still have to remind them now and again. I hope this isn't discouraging. I would try the things that have been suggested, since they don't require much. I just wouldn't put any blood, sweat or tears into it unless you are a fan of stress.
At 2, leave it alone. My son is 4 and we have just broke the habit almost all the way. He only sucks his thumb when sleeping. He just saw the dentist and he wasn't worried about it. I have also heard, the more you try and make them stop, the more they won't.
My daughter wasn't a thumb sucker, so I don't have any experience with this, but I saw thumb guard that you strap to a child's hand and it covers the thumb to keep them from sucking on it. It's from One Step Ahead. www.onestepahead.com They have a catalog that they send out- you can sign up online. They have some unique products for some of those "mom challenges", plus toys, safety stuff, etc. Hope that helps! I just looked it up in my catalog- boy, it's pricey! $74.95. You may want to try cheaper options first, but if they don't work, at least you know of a back up. Good luck!
I would be glad that she is able to sooth herself this way and not worry about it for now. Here's an article from the American Dental Association that says it's not a problem until they have their permanent teeth: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/thumbsucking.asp
She will stop when she grows out of the need for soothing and/or notices that other children aren't doing it.
Wow! Through all the groups I chat with, this is coming up a lot lately! I've been told that Alum on the finger/ thumb will work. One put in the mouth and they won't like the taste of it, and after a couple of time, they should stop. If you want more info, I can find out where to pick it up.
I agree that if its not a problem, worry later. My daughter would pull out her hair,twist it around her thumb and suck it. My doctor was worried about how much was being swallowed. We had to shave her head and we pinned socks on her sleeves.(we called them super mittens...she picked out some funny socks) she got so used to them at night and nap, it was part of the bedtime routine. We did have to use them during the day too, because she was a 24hour thumb sucker. It took almost a year, but it worked. It was a long road though and something that wasn't all that much fun...so I say unless it is a 24hour problem, don't worry too much.
