Thumb sucker for life???

Kari - posted on 11/20/2011

My little sister was a thumb sucker til she was in school. My mom tried EVERYTHING she could think of and nothing worked, until she started school and realized kids made fun of her for doing it. She stopped instantly.

Raychel - posted on 11/19/2011

My 2 year old also sucks his thumb. And the dentist and his doctor are worried about it because it messes up the roof of the mouth. And could cause the teeth to shift and speech problems (right now neither is happening) but we want to stop it ASAP. We are putting a bandaid on his thumb (he thinks its a sticker and he loves them) and we tell him that if he sucks his thumb his "sticker" will come off and he won't get another one. The first day he lasted about 3 hours without sucking his thumb and then gave up. Now he seems to go longer each day (we have been doing this for a week)..so hoopefully in a month or so he wont need to suck his thumb. I would talk to your doctor and dentist to find ways that would work for your child.

Bonnie - posted on 11/17/2011

At 2 I don't think this is a big issue. There are 2 year olds that still use pacifiers. I knew of someone who finally stopped sucking her thumb at the age of 10.

Staci - posted on 11/15/2011

hi..my lil girl is 8 and in the 2nd grade and still thumb sucking..Ive been trying for atleast 6 years to try and get her to quit. Ive tryed everything from neasty things on her thumb, tapeing it, ace bandageing it, bandades, threating to cut it off ( i know, mean but it scared her), giving her a paciy, calling her peepee poo poo mouth (all that did was get her to wash her hands after going to the bathroom), and recently we got her a a brace youd put on a broken fingure...all with no succes! Im at a loss...everyone says she will quit when she is ready but...ugh!! Her adult teeth are coming in and man are they soooo messed up and i hate it and feel bad for her! oh we also tryed slapping her in the mouth while her thumb is in it and all that did is make her hide it under her blanket or shirt while she is doing it!!! I wish I could help you and if i ever find anything that helps I will let you know!

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 11/02/2011

I was a thumb sucker. My mom tried to get me to stop, but nothing worked so she left it alone. I remember deciding on my own to stop before I started kindergarten. So I did. I was almost 5. I'm sure there are some adults who still suck their thumbs, but I honestly wouldn't worry. More than likely your child will stop at some point. Pretty much every adult has some sort of "bad" habit whether it's thumb sucking, finger nail biting, hair twirling, skin picking, etc. Don't stress about it.

September - posted on 11/02/2011

I would but everyone is different I guess.

Cynthia - posted on 11/02/2011

@ september i'm guessing you don't know any because it is not something people talk about. think about it would tell anyone you suck your thumb if you did?

September - posted on 11/02/2011

Oh wow...that's crazy.

Cynthia - posted on 11/02/2011

i know 2. 28 and 30 year old

September - posted on 11/02/2011

I have yet to meet an adult that still sucks their thumb.

Cynthia - posted on 11/02/2011

put socks on her hands with duct tape. or wait until she is ready. yes. some people do suck their thumb for life.

September - posted on 11/02/2011

I was a thumb sucker when I was young. My parents tried everything to get me to stop. I stopped when I was ready and I'm sure your 2 year old will too, 2 is still really young. I stopped when I hit kindergarten, didn't want any of my peers to see me sucking my thumb. So no, not a thumb sucker for life, that's for sure! :)

Keli - posted on 11/01/2011

I think punishing your child by putting any substance on their thumb is not the way to go,your Child finds comfort in thumb sucking and has probably been doing it since the Womb,dont worry its something he will likely stop.But in the meantime.try to trigger when he does it the most.if he is starting to do it when just watching tv give him something to distract him, try to help him kick the habbi