My 3 month old son sucked his thumb since before he came into this world. I say that because I have most of the ultrasound photos with his hands near or on his face....and for months his arms were always near his face- AND now he has discovered his thumb and is very persistant with thumb sucking mostly when he is sleeping- WHAT CAN I DO? I have tried binki's and he has always gagged on it and spit it out...HELP. I dont want him using his thumb...but I dont think their is a choice at this moment.....
Thumbsucking is their comfort zone. Don't worry about it, especially because he is so young. Even when kids do it into their toddler years, it is a way to comfort themselves.
When I had my first child the hospital gave me a great book called Touchpoints by Dr. Brazelton. I highly recommend it. It goes through every scenerio from birth to three years.
Whoa, whoa...your son is 3 months old! What's the problem? Consider yourself lucky. Studies have shown that sucking on something (like a thumb or pacifier) reduces the risk of SIDS. Plus, your son can comfort himself without having to cry for you (SCORE!), and your son doesn't have any teeth to damage by thumbsucking. Let him enjoy!
There's nothing wrong with it. Like has been said before, self soothing is a life saver! My 22 month old still sucks her thumb, but only when she's falling asleep. They do outgrow it, but for now, don't discourage it!
If you're really worried, see what your Dr. has to say at the next checkup!
i would try another kind of binkie it took quite a few before i found the right one for my daughter good luck
I agree with Sarah. He is self soothing and thats normal and acceptable. I know you worry about teeth and such, but my daughter sucked her two middle fingers until she was almost 4 without problems to her teeth or fingers. It WAS a little longer than I wanted her to, but it was her comfort. As she got older to understand, we talked about rules with sucking. Nap time, bed time, in your room. Eventually, she gave it up.
Are you breastfeeding? If so, you can offer your breast everytime he sucks his thumb. This will not only soothe him, but stimulate you to make more milk. If you are artificially feeding, I dont recommend giving him a bottle instead becuase it could cause him to over eat. Babies can suckle at the breats without actually eating, they just "comfort nurse."
I also do NOT recommend putting vinegar or anything nasty on his fingers. Babies should hot have ANYTHING but breastmilk the first 6 months and even though it would be a small amount, you could greatly damage his digestive tract. Vinegar is harsh on an adult's GI, imagine what it would do to a tiny baby!
Ultimately it is your choice, but letting him enjoy his comfort is ok too! Good Luck!
Just dip his thumb in something nasty. He will associate it with his thumb, and eventually not want to suck on his thumb.
try vinegar? or something ingestible that a child wouldn't like!
Hi D.,
Allow your little one to do what is comfortable for him. A thumb is very easy to find in the middle of the night and is soothing to him. When he gets older such as 6 or 7 months old, try placing a security blanket in his crib or stuffed toy. This may allow him to soothe other ways. Good luck and just enjoy him and the thumb sucking.....one day it will be just a memory.
S.
