Get Almost 4 Year Old to Stop Sucking Thumb.

Hello, my no 25 yr old daughter sucked her thumb up till she was in the 6 th grade. I tried everything, even talked to her doctor. She suggested taking to the dentist to see if it was interferring with her development with her teeth. There was no problems there, so her doctor just said to let her stop on her own. The embarrisment of sucking her thumb in frunt of the other kids may maker her stop. She did stop durring the day unless she was upset or stressed out. She did suck on her thumb at night for a long time. Now as an adult, she sleeps with her hand next to her face.
I now have a 3 yr old son who is sucking his tounge. His doctor to ld me to do the same thing. Let him stop on his own. this is a comfort issue, there may be some behavior problems, if he/she is forced to give up a comfort device.
good luck

I don't think you shoule be worrying about this so much. She is still very young. I think she will outgrow it in her own time when she's ready. For now it is likely helping her to feel more happy & secure. My daughter sucked her thumb until she was about 8 yrs old. Although she usually only sucked when she was tired or upset and most often when she was in her bed at night w/her favorite blankie. I didn't make a big deal of it.. (make her feel worse about it) but did tell her she was only allowed to suck at night. She was pretty good about sticking to that. She just turned 18 last week .. She is a healthy happy confident, very independent young lady (graduated early, already in college, recently got her divers license and this week she took a plane by herself to visit a friend in another state.) And her teeth are perfectly straight too! So I wouldn't worry so much about your 4 year old .. you both have plenty of time.

there was a thumb-sucking post very recently. check it out:
http://www.mamasource.com/request/8935286500388503553

The more you try, the more she will resist. I know it is hard, but the best way is to lay off her and convince her to stop by her own will. One way is to try to get her hands busy every time you see them going in her mouth. Offer to play a game with her or a coloring book or something. Talk to her about germs and how they make you sick by hitching a ride into your mouth via your hands. Maybe even show her pictures of the germs online to make the idea extra gross. There is a great lesson with glitter to show kids how germs stay on your hands. When my daughter starts putting her hands in her mouth, I tell her that she needs to go wash with soap first. Usually, it is not worth it to her and she decides to keep her hands down. If she wants to stop, you can help her by buying her a pretty pair of gloves to wear. As far as sucking at night and in times of distress, I wouldn't even bother trying until the habit is broken during the day.

I'm a Grammy and I raised my kids using behavior modification...that is concentrating on the good things they do, not the bad. Give your growing daughter some jobs to do that are age appropiate and praise her heavily for accomplishments, downplaying her negatives. By giving little attention to the negatives she should flourish and only when she's very tired or feeling insecure the thumbsucking will fade away. Besides, have you ever counted the 4 year olds that still suck their thumbs? Don't push your girl to grow up too fast! Just enjoy who she is and encourge her little bit of independence that a four your old should have! they're pretty amazing little beings. And they understand more than you would know!

Give her hugs and reassurance,
Grammy S.