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My 3 month old who has a dummy, is sucking her thumb, how can I stop her, ruining her mouth & teeth, I even met a thumb sucker who flattened the tip of her nose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Iridescent - posted on 06/08/2010

4,519

272

We have two thumb suckers. Keep offering the pacifier. Don't take away her thumb though, just replace it. It might be enough to have her eventually prefer the pacifier. It's not a health concern for dentition until 3 years old. Once they're about 18 months, the smallest thumbguards fit though if you want to try to stop it at that age if it's still occurring.

Helen - posted on 06/08/2010

15

13

Hi, my daughter (now nearly 4yo) sucked her thumb from the moment she could get it to her mouth (so probably about 3 months old). She still suckes her thumb when tired and/or when she is dropping off to sleep but we have been assured by her doctor and dentist that there is no harm to her palate, teeth or face by her thumb sucking unless she does it continuously (ie. all day). After all, we had thumbs to suck for thousands of years before dummies came along! As she gets older (18 months plus) just watch that she is only sucking when tired and use that as a sign that she needs a nap. She will be fine, I'm sure, so please don't worry. It's also down to personality too, as our son (now 16 months) has never sucked his thumb, or a dummy for that matter! They are all individuals and your daughter will choose her own path (as we all did?).
All the best,
Helen

Jennifer - posted on 06/08/2010

1,501

37

thumb sucking wont cause any damage to palate or teeth unless they are still sucking their thumb at the age of 5 or 6 years.

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