Thumb Sucking - Mission, KS

I myself was a determined in my sleep thumb sucker. My parents tried everything from thumb guards-I chewed threw the plastic, bandaids, bad flavored stuff. After trying all of that the dentist put the spikes in my mouth. It was the only thing that worked - I ended up having it in twice as long as usual. Like I said I was determined. Looking back I think that taking my other comfort things (blanket) would help. I would start with band aids or plastic thumb guard or splint. Good Luck!

Hi H.,
The only thing I can think of that might work for her at this age is.... is there something she wants something big like a new barbie doll house, maybe even a puppy, a kitty, a hamster, a fish or something that you would be willing to get in exchange for the thumb sucking. In a way it's bribery but at least you both would get what you want.

I watch a little boy who is 6 1/2 months old now and he sucks his thumb also "chews" on it since he is teething he has made the inside of his thumb raw and bleed, to try and break this his mother and I have noticed that he sucks his thumb when his gums hurt, he is hungry or tired so we try to make sure and distract him when we notice these things. We have started putting socks on his hands when he goes to sleep so he also doesn't suck his thumb. Just to not have this happen. So far he hasn't figured out how to get the socks off and he still doesn't really care for the pacifier.
Is it also possible for her to wear a glove or even a pair of socks over her hands during the day that way when she does go to put her thumb in her mouth there will be a barrier. I have no idea if this would even work but it's just a suggestion.
I also watched a little girl that would suck her thumb everytime she had her favorite bear here or even when she had it at home. Thats the only thing I can think of is if you notice her doing at certain times like sleepy, watching t.v., or hungry or even boredom. I hope this helps you a little W.

It may sound kind of mean. But my mother in law had a major problem with both her daughters sucking their thumbs. With her youngest she used Tobasco or hot sauce. She would rub it in a little. That broke her pretty quick from wanting to suck her thumb. Her oldest that didnt work on because she would just suck the hot sauce off and ask for more. She ended up using vinegar on her thumb and that seemed to get her to quit pretty quickly. Like I said, I know it may sound kind of mean but both things are things that wont her the kids but taste horrid.

Hi H.,

i know that from my sister. She was thum sucking till she was 9 years old. I know unbelievalbe. We started to put some nasty tasting stuff on her thum and it worked. Try to put on your daughters thum hot sauce or something like that. I know that sounds harch but it works.

good luck

You mentioned thumb nail polish. Is that just regular polish or the "nail biters" polish. They make a very nasty bitter nail polish for nail biters. I have seen it online.

By four she can start understand to concept of germs. You can explain when she sticks her thumb in her mouth, she is putting the germs right into her mouth and this could cause her to become sick. If she gets sick, she'll have to miss out things she enjoys like preschool, play dates, etc.

Also you need to find out why she is sucking her thumb. Is it out of boredom, nervousness, or habit? Addressing any other issues or creating things that will help curb those problems may help as well.

I used a device (I wish I could remember what it's called) that is made of plastic and you put it over their thumb so they can't suck it at all. I think it took 4 weeks to break my oldest daughter. Ask your pediatrician...he/she might know what it's called.

Good luck!

M. :)

I sucked my thumb until I was about 8, and I remember all of the things that my parents tried to get me to stop. It's a habit, so telling her things about germs or toys probably won't help. Because I did it mostly when I slept and couldn't really stop myself, my mom would wrap surgical/first-aid tape around my thumb, so I didn't want to suck on that and it wouldn't come off. And when I went to school, I was kind of embarrassed to have the marks from the tape, so that made me want to stop even more. There were also the threats from the dentist about the "spikes" he would put in my mouth to poke my thumb!

Wow, back in the day, my mom put a dot of hotsauce on my thumb to stop me from sucking my thumb. (Not that I suggest of condone this now a days) She also put fingernail polish on and that worked to a point.

I googled thumb sucking devices (as I read about them in another post of yours) and there are several for the use of stopping a youngster who is thumb sucking.

Good luck with this. I sucked my thumb until I was 5 and had to have upper braces when I was 12 for about a year.

My dentist recommended wrapping medical tape around the thumbs and anchoring it around the wrist. It tastes gross and the consistency is gross too. It worked wonders for my 20 month old, who can't peel it off.

You could try good old peer pressure. Find a friend to tell her to stop or to make a bet about stopping. They could find something that they could both stop doing and then see who lasts the longest.

R.

Hi H.!

Wow, you have had a lot of really good responses. Hopefully, you will find something that will work for you. My girlfriends daughter sucks her thumb, she's 11.
She went to the Dentist and the dentist put an Oral Appliance in the roof of her mouth that prevented her from sucking her thumb. Unfortunately, the dad (there divorced) said that it was cruel and made her have it taken out. Well, now at 11 her teeth and palet are completely messed up and the Orthodontist bill will be very large.

So maybe inquire about that. Hopefully it will cure the thumb sucking.

Take Care,
F. M.
Olathe, KS