Any tips to stop thumb sucking?

Jessica - posted on 03/19/2012

My daughter is 10 and still catch her sucking her thumb. I have asked doctor and dentist how to prevent or stop this. Both said it is something they will either eventually stop on there own oor may never. I finally gave up on the never ending battle I was fighting. As she has become older I notice it to only be when she bored or going to bed. Good luck to you all with thumb suckers....

Tiffani - posted on 03/19/2012

Hot Sauce nevev for my little brother. Now he is going on 21 and still sucks his first two fingers. I do not suggest taste aversion but I like the idea of telling them it is okay in bed and letting it taper off

Lacey - posted on 10/19/2009

My daughter is for also and she does the same thing when tiried or grumpy. I have offered a special priize for consective days with out it. Alot of the time there is something they are attached to that make them cognitively think i want my thumb(My daughters blanket). Anytime she gets that blanket she hides her thumb behind it. I was told that Alam(pickling seasoning) works also. I think with my daughter it is all in her pretty little head. Be careful not to use any kind of hot sauce because i had a student in my headstart class that lost a sibbling because they used hot sauce and it sent him into shock where he could not breath and it killed him. Do not mean to scare you but it has happened in our town. Good Luck and God Bless.

Suzanne - posted on 10/18/2009

My old best friend had this problem when she was young...Her mother tried everything, so she started putting pepper on her thumb everytime she was caught sucking her thumb, it eventually worked and she stopped.

Kayla - posted on 10/18/2009

I have tried EVERYTHING for my 3 1/2 yo daughter. She just sucks off whatever is on her thumb and keeps going. I swear nothing phases her.... And since we tried tobasco sauce she now loves to eat peppers. I mean like she will sit down with her dad and eat those little peppers that come with pizza or any other hot pepper. Good luck though! I have just come to terms with the fact that she is going to need braces... :)

Jen - posted on 10/18/2009

I personally sucked my thumb until I was 8 years old. My parent's put lemon juice on my thumb, Tabasco sauce, and maybe even soap. Nothing worked. I just decided one day that I didn't want to suck my thumb anymore. Just try to show him that none of his friend's suck their thumbs and reward him whenever he doesn't suck his thumb. Good luck.

Lakyia - posted on 10/18/2009

May sound cruel but may work esp since he 4 and does have teeth you dont want his teeth to grow outward too much..overbite, braces, retainer its too much so I suggest you put something on his thumb that he DOESN'T like to eat and see how this works or maybe go straight to the retainer. He may talk funny but he sure wont be able to suck his thumb with it. He may be to young and I dont think the habit will stick. IDK hope I helped.

Betty - posted on 10/18/2009

Try putting a bandaids over his thumbs to remind him to stop. He might think it's really cool. Most little kids love bandaids. Since it's cold and flu season anyway you could try useing hand sanitizer because it tastes awful and should be used if he has a habit of putting fingers in his mouth to prevent him from getting sick.

Jade - posted on 10/18/2009

my sister used this suff called nail grow it doesnt harm them but has a bitter taste it similar to nail polish but is clear it worked very quickly as the taste was not nice. hope this works

Sheila - posted on 10/17/2009

Hi Chelsea,

My daughter is only 2 but she has the same problem, and I think its going to be a long process as well. I have TRIED starting now, but its hard to get them to stop once they are so use to sticking it in their mouth whenever they ARENT talking lol. I have read a few things online, there is the Vinegar trick, rub their thumb with vinegar a few times during the day (yuck), Or there is the store trick, you can buy the stuff that you paint onto their fingernail like nail polish, and it probably tastes just as bad as vinegar. But I feel bad doing any of that, because our children shouldnt need to be trained like dogs not to suck their thumb ya know? I just tell my daughter "please take your thumb out, unless its nighty night time" and she usually takes it out but moments later its right back in, especially if shes watching a show for the moment. Its hard, but maybe since your son is older, and can some what understand if you constantly remind him not to do it. Good luck !