My almost 3 yr old has sucked his thumb since the womb. His dentist just told us he has to stop, as it is causing a malformation in his mouth. His blanky goes w/ the thumb for comfort..how do you take away a childs comfort? We tell him, he stops and 5 minutes later starts again. he falls asleep w/ the thumb, sucks half the night...any ideas? Thanks!
Well, I got a variety of answers and I think we are going to get a 2nd opinion to see if it is damaging his mouth. We feel so mean yanking it out of his mouth! I may try the liquid you put on his thumb, though.
Thanks for all the help! I love Mamasourse!
This may sound weird but i sucked my thumb until i got braces in 5th grade. my parents tries everything, the sock on the hand, tabasco sauce, everything. but then they tried this nail polish that tasted like pepper. and that broke the habit. you can find it at walgreens.
hope it helps
A.
Hey S.. Lucky for me my daughter never attached herself to a thumb, binky, bottle, etc. so stopping her comfort objects is not an issue for my family. However! My husband was, and still is, a thumb sucker. When he was a baby he started and never stopped. His father use to put bandages, splits, vinager, anything he could think of to stop my husband. Nothing ever worked. To this day when he is sleeping I will wake up and hear him sucking his thumb. His teeth are not an issue. He never had anything wrong with his mouth development because of it. He actually never has had a single cavity either. I think dentist have to say this because they are taught that it is "wrong". I think he will stop on his own and if it's not really causing any trouble then why change it.
My 3 year old is a thumb sucker. Loves her pooh and sucks the thumb to fall asleep. The way I see it is she will quit when she is ready. And if need be braces are cheaper than therapy if I were to try to make her quit. Good Luck.
Hi S.,
My oldest is 3.5, and he's been sucking his thumb since he was 4 mos. old. We got the same news from our dentist, so I'll tell him that the dentist said he can't do it anymore. That works at times. But I also found this stuff you put on their thumb- it's supposed to help with thumb sucking and nail biting. I got it at Walgreens. Good luck to you!
C.
I sucked my thumb to fall asleep until I was six (a bit late I know). At some point during that time period the dentist had told my mom the same thing and she took me to an orthodontist. The ortho. said that there was no problem and that I would quit when I was ready. Which I did (although apparently quite later than usual). Funny thing. I occasionally get asked if I had braces because I have such straight teeth. Go figure. So, the lesson learned in my family. Get a second opinion.
I see you're getting a second opion....good for you :)
In case you are still reading this...I agree with the mom who said "braces are cheaper than therapy". He'll stop when he's good and ready.
I was 17 when I finally gave it up! For some reason, I just needed it to fall asleep. I have a friend that, at 29, still needs her thumb to fall asleep.
My mother gets so upset that I let my five year old suck her thumb as much as she wants....but, by my not making it a big deal, she needs it less and less. Now she only sucks it to fall asleep then it falls out as soon as she's asleep. She does have a slight over bite, but she still has all her baby teeth. I'm sure by the time she gets her permanent teeth, her need for the thumb will be quite minimal.
They make a liquid substance you put on your childs thumb for this exact problem or you could try putting clear nailpolish on his thumb or a bandaid.
There are devices that can be custome made for your sons thumb sucking. Ask your dentist.
fear not sam, i too was a thumb sucker. my parents tried many many things to get me to stop, at three he us not able to understand the social , medical ramifications and is only able to deal with the emotional side of this issue. as you have esperienced, telling him to stop will not get the response you want. i suggest using distraction as a method or introducing another comfort "tool" say a special toy with his blanky.if you can keep his hands busy while pacifying the need to be comforted, it just may work. as always love him up! most things are a phase and will pass on their own - unfortunately it will be on his time not yours.
OK, I was thinking...how about while he's sleeping...yes...PRY his thumb out.........and dying his thumb blue or red or green...some color. The coloring will go off in his mouth so maybe red is the best. When he freaks out about it...act stupid and innocent and tell him he should stop that or he'll hurt himself.
Also...vinigar on it...will make it taste yucky and maybe he won't want to do it.
OK,one more.....have him wear mittens to bed. Make it a game. Somehow he has got to stop.
Good Luck!
J. N
