Any advice/tricks for thumbsucking? - Page 2

Sunshine Kate · ‎03-10-2010

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missy1 · ‎03-10-2010

Even if she stops during the day, at night you will not know if she is doing it.

missy1 · ‎03-10-2010

delete

Frankie_Dee · ‎10-05-2012

I sucked my thumb as a child back in the 50s-60s. My father made it his goal to make me quit. My parents first tried hot sauce on my thumb. I sucked past the nasty taste until it was gone. They put a metal band (sort of like a wide ring) around the thumb at night; I sucked the other thumb. Finally, my father bullied and shamed me in front of family and friends. That was very uneffective and only made me feel bad about myself and him.

For me, the oral gratification was extremely self-comforting. Eventually I lost interest and the desire, and quit. I was a pre-teenager at that point, and it was a private, embarrassing secret. Other than the shaming, I don't think it had a negative effect on me. I have a slight overbite now, but my dentist has never remarked on it.

As for a blankie, I had that habit too. When my mother decided I was old enough and the blanket was raggedy enough, she began to cut small pieces off every day. Finally she told me the remaining scrap had been "lost" in the wash. I didn't even question it.

Good luck with your precious daughter.

occasionalrain · ‎03-10-2010

I agree with Loopy, making an issue of it will cause more damage than needing braces later on. I wouldn't even call attention to it. During the day you can engage her in activities that require using her thumb so that it's unavailable. At night maybe a windup plush animal that plays music, the more often it needs winding the better.

MaRina · ‎08-12-2013

I hope your doctor can help you. My niece had this problem until she was 13. It made a mess out of her teeth and she was bullied

I also remember a little girl in my son's fourth grade class that was still s u c k i n g her thumb and was teased. Best of luck

fitfuninformed · ‎10-06-2010

I don't know what "the ace bandage cure" is but.....

My daughter, my second child was a thumb sucker and she sucked her thumb so much so that she developed a callous on it which then cracked. So what's a mother to do but put a band aid on her thumb to protect it. Well, Nicole put her thumb in her mouth only one time - she made a horrible face, and that was it - she never put her thumb in her mouth again! She was so repulsed from either the taste or the texture of the band aid that she never ventured again! So simple, and the habit was broken without even trying! Why she never tried her other thumb I'll never know, maybe it just didn't feel as comfortable, but I was lucky nonetheless. Maybe her age had something to do with it, she was just short of 2 years old, but I'm glad it never became an issue.

MickD · ‎03-10-2010

I think the ace bandage sounds too extreme.....My son sucked his two fingers (index and middle) from the time he was an infant to about two...I didn't even think to do anything, ie aversion techniques as he was so young. He had to have two series of braces, herbst device, head gear...what can ya do? He was in and out of braces for a good six years...but his teeth are excellent now.....he's 15 and has beautiful straight teeth.... It's a tough call...momma knows best.

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.... ~ S & G

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

On 3/17/2015 Frankie_Dee said:
I sucked my thumb as a child back in the 50s-60s. My father made it his goal to make me quit. My parents first tried hot sauce on my thumb. I sucked past the nasty taste until it was gone. They put a metal band (sort of like a wide ring) around the thumb at night; I sucked the other thumb. Finally, my father bullied and shamed me in front of family and friends. That was very uneffective and only made me feel bad about myself and him.

For me, the oral gratification was extremely self-comforting. Eventually I lost interest and the desire, and quit. I was a pre-teenager at that point, and it was a private, embarrassing secret. Other than the shaming, I don't think it had a negative effect on me. I have a slight overbite now, but my dentist has never remarked on it.

As for a blankie, I had that habit too. When my mother decided I was old enough and the blanket was raggedy enough, she began to cut small pieces off every day. Finally she told me the remaining scrap had been "lost" in the wash. I didn't even question it.

Good luck with your precious daughter.

I was a thumb sucker too, right up until my early 20's.

Are my teeth perfectly straight? No, but my slight misalignment hasn't prevented me from eating, as the bathroom scale will attest.