Five Year Old Sucks Fingers

I have the same problem with my 5 year old daughter. She sucks her thumb all the time. We even have a code that our family uses, TMT, which stands for TOO MUCH THUMB! We say it all day. She will even stop riding her bike for a minute to get a taste of her thumb. She also has to rub her ear. I asked her one day what was so great about her thumb and ear. She said her ear is so soft and her thumb is just so yummy! I have asked her dentist over and over if she will have teeth problems and he said as long as she stops when her permanents come in. I think that it may take kids saying things to her. It will only take a few little teases and I am sure that they will become more aware. I have also told her that she can only suck her thumb in her bed. She will sometimes go to her bed and then realize that she would rather play. Other then that, I have no great words of wisdom, I do want you to know that there are others out there fighting the same battle and if you find the magic cure, PLEASE- let us know! Good Luck.

I have an 11 year old thumb sucker. At 5 I didn't care less. Now I'm concerned if his friends find out. But I don't think its that bad, and you'd be surprised how many adults still do it. Its better than smoking or nail-biting when he's older, which is a possibility because the need won't go away just by breaking that habit. My son never sucks anywhere but home (never has) and if we remind him now, he stops. He has had anxiety issues and I didn't ever want to add to it making him feel bad about something thats really not any one else's business. I guess if his teeth were affected I'd feel different, but no dentist ever said anything, and his smile is near perfect thanks to genetics. I had a long talk with him about the social issue and warned him he could be vulnerable. You could Google it and see what the experts say. I did and felt better about it. If he says he wants to stop, I'll help him any way I can.

My friends mom put knitted mittens on her hands for a few days, only taking them off for meals. She wasn't able to do much and she didn't like the fuzzies in her mouth if she tried to suck on the mitten. After a week (I think?) she was so happy to play with the full use of her hands she didn't do it anymore and if she even looked like she was going to do it her mom asked if she needed to get the mittens again.

This was 25 years ago and she said it was very embarassing at the time but is glad she doesn't do it anymore.

God Bless
K.

Try putting some tape on the end of his fingers along with continued reminders.

If your son is still sucking his fingers it may be more than just a "habit". He may be sucking as a way to cope with anxiety or other emotions he doesn't understand. To test this theory I would recommend trying Bach's Flowers Rescue Remedy, its non-habit forming, not a drug of any sort. Its the essence of a flower that provides relief from anxiety. If he sucks less after the rescue remedy you have your solution

I would suggest teaching him other coping methods. He doesn't WANT to do this so please don't treat him as if he's being "bad". He shouldn't be punished, insulted or humiliated because of this. When he starts to suck you could ask him how he's feeling. Perhaps he can start drawing to express himself. Help him verbalize what he's feeling.

I hope you're able to help your son conquer this in a positive way which brings peace to both of you!

As mom of several thumb/finger suckers I honestly have found that the only things that work are just bugging the poo out of them. "Teddy, get your fingers out of your mouth. Josie, get your hands away from your face." "Your fingers don't belong in your mouth.." etc. and literally taking their thumb/fingers out of their mouth every time you have the oppertunity. Eventually they get frusterated and give up. BUT it's a long and tiresome game... 5 is for sure way too old to have that habit. My oldest thumb sucker didn't stop until he was 4 (he has mental/emotional issues) and his teeth are terrible. My two year old thumb sucker currently is mad at me for repeatedly plucking her thumb from her mouth throughout the day, and bugging her about it all the time, but she is doing it less. The other thing you can do is just try to keep thier hands occupied doing other things as much as possible, not only does this help as a distraction, but it gives them a taste of how much more they could really be doing if they didn't have one of thier hands stuck to thier mouth all the time. Good luck :)