please help thumb sucking

Donna - posted on 09/24/2010

Maybe because my 3-year-old is my 4th child and because I sucked my thumb until I was 7 or 8 years old, or maybe because I'm older and don't think it's as important anymore...I just try to make a game of when I see my daughter sucking her thumb that I want to see her "thumb in the sun". She usually smiles and knows what she's doing is forming a habit (because I tell her so), but it's a positive way of reminding her to keep the thumb out. My second daughter never wanted a pacifier or fingers in her mouth when very young, and when she was 3-6 years, I couldn't keep other, more dirty and dangerous things out of her mouth, and now at 13, she has more oral/dental problems. That's my 2 cents...

Kelly - posted on 08/07/2010

my son is also 3yrs old and has sucked his thumb ever since he could figure out how to get it in his mouth i havent had a problem with his thumb nail but he has had an infection from like biting on his knuckle he only sucks his thumb when hes tired i just figure he will stop when hes ready

Melissa - posted on 08/05/2010

I have to say that with my 3 year old twins I just got my daughter to stop sucking her two middle fingers. I was able to accomplish this merely by telling her that you have wanted me to paint your fingernails and I can't do that until you stop sucking your fingers. After a couple of days saying that to her she finally stopped. As for my son, he is a thumb sucker, I have been telling him that we should work on not sucking on our thumb because it will make your teeth all messed up. He has started to stop sucking his thumb so much. I think the key is to not make them feel as if you are telling them they can't but expalining a reason to them that why they shouldn't. I think when we fight them about it that makes them want to do it more. Good luck and hope things go well.

It is true that most kids at this age do it because they are bored or tired, sometimes comfort....hopefully if they don't quit by suggestions I made that if they start to keep themselves busy with dance, sports or whatever they won't think about it again. :)

Suzie - posted on 06/06/2010

Ha ha! I've got a middle finger sucker. I was one as well until kindergarten. I'm beating my head against a wall but I'm finding that she does it when she's tired or bored no matter what I do or say. I remind her when I notice it, but am not pushing it when she's tired. I'm sure she'll grow out of it, but I'm saving for braces!

TIFFANY - posted on 05/29/2010

UR NOT ALONE! MY SON IS 3 AND SUCKS HIS 2 MIDDLE FINGERS JUST LIKE HIS 27YR OLD FATHER STILL DOES!!! I HAVE ULTRASOUND PICS OF HIM SUCKING THOSE FINGERS!!! 3 DIFFERENT DR'S SAID ITS A SOOTHING COMFORT THING FOR THEM AND WHEN THEY R READY THEY WILL STOP. I HOPE SO CAUSE IM IN THE SAME SPOT AS U AND TRIED EVERYTHING. BUT THE ONE THING IVE NOTICED IS NOW THAT HES IN DAYCARE OR SCHOOL AS HE LIKES TO CALL IT HE DOESNT DO IT AS MUCH CAUSE THE OTHER KIDS DONT DO IT. AND NOW EVEN AT HOME HES DOIN IT LESS. ONLY WHEN HES TIRED. SO MAYBE THE DR IS RIGHT OR HES LEARNING FROM THE OTHER KIDS IDK. GOOD LUCK

Amy - posted on 05/29/2010

thank you very much

Kristi - posted on 05/28/2010

My son is not a thumb sucker. However I was until I was 18!! My parents did everything under the sun and I could care less. They threatened me and told me they were going to them my boyfriends or my friends and I didnt care! I can imagine how hard it is, because my parents went threw it with me. At a local hospital in my community they have a thumb sucking clinic. You might want to see what kind of services are offered in your community.