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maria430
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/07 671 total posts
Name:
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Thumbsucking - Help!!
DD is 5 months.
A little over a month ago she started sucking her thumb mostly when she is tired.
Is there any way for me to break this habit? I have tried giving her the paci, but she is not interested in it now that she has found her thumb. She spits the paci out.
It's a habit I really didn't want her to have!
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Posted 10/5/10 8:05 PM  |
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maria430
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/07 671 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
BUMP
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| Posted 10/5/10 8:34 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
Please if you find an answer I need help too  My DD is 8 mos and has been a thumbsucker since she was in my belly I am a germaphobe and, this is a habit I CANNOTlivewith ESPECIALLY with the crawling 
ETA: My DD never had any real interest in the paci either 
Message edited 10/5/2010 8:43:43 PM.
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| Posted 10/5/10 8:42 PM |
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babydreaming
LIF Adult
Member since 3/07 1130 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
When DS showed signs when he was 3 mths old we put mittens on him. My mom actually knit him some.
My nephew sucked his thumb until he was four and it was torture breaking him out of the habit.
It took awhile to break him of the habit but he never became a thumb sucker. He is almost 3 now.
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| Posted 10/5/10 8:43 PM |
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MrsSpring
I'm a lucky mama
Member since 1/10 7585 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
i read it was supposed t be encouraged.
heres the info from baby center
Babies generally suck their thumb to
soothe themselves, which is good, because they need to learn how to rely on their own resources. The ability to regulate or control one's behavior and emotions is an important developmental challenge. When your child sucks her thumb, she's finding ways to make herself feel better without your help.
You don't have to stop your child from sucking her thumb right now. In general, thumb-sucking is more irritating to parents than it is harmful to kids. Your baby will stop when she's ready and has developed other ways of soothing herself.
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| Posted 10/5/10 8:49 PM |
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maria430
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/07 671 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
Posted by babydreaming
When DS showed signs when he was 3 mths old we put mittens on him. My mom actually knit him some.
My nephew sucked his thumb until he was four and it was torture breaking him out of the habit.
It took awhile to break him of the habit but he never became a thumb sucker. He is almost 3 now.
I put mittens on my DD as well and then she tried to stuff her whole hand in her mouth!
How long did it take to break the habit?
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| Posted 10/5/10 8:50 PM |
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ChrisDee
My Girls
Member since 11/06 9543 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
I have bad news for you, my DD is almost 10 YEARS OLD and still going strong She sucks her fingers(middle & ring). My ped told me about this product and I really wish I would have done it when she was younger cause now its too late, she can just take it off.
BTW: we tried all those yucky tasting things that you can put on their fingers. It did not work. She also had a paci til she was about 9-10 months.
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| Posted 10/5/10 8:57 PM |
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ABCiverson
<3 my family
Member since 1/06 7465 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
Posted by MrsSpring
You don't have to stop your child from sucking her thumb right now. In general, thumb-sucking is more irritating to parents than it is harmful to kids. Your baby will stop when she's ready and has developed other ways of soothing herself.
As a former thumb sucker I totally disagree. I sucked until I was 9 years old(started at 3 days old). To this day it was by far the hardest habit I ever had to break. As a result I wore braces for 3 years. If my future kids suck their thumb I will try everything to stop it.
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| Posted 10/5/10 8:59 PM |
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ChrisDee
My Girls
Member since 11/06 9543 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
Posted by ABCiverson
Posted by MrsSpring
You don't have to stop your child from sucking her thumb right now. In general, thumb-sucking is more irritating to parents than it is harmful to kids. Your baby will stop when she's ready and has developed other ways of soothing herself.
As a former thumb sucker I totally disagree. I sucked until I was 9 years old(started at 3 days old). To this day it was by far the hardest habit I ever had to break. As a result I wore braces for 3 years. If my future kids suck their thumb I will try everything to stop it.
I want to add that DD is tortured by the fact that she can not stop. She is soooo torn between needing to do it and feeling too old to be doing it. It really stinks, she sheds a lot of tears over it:(
Another thing is my DD is sick ALL the time. My ped and I are convinced it is from the finger sucking. All the germs on everything she touches goes right in her mouth. IT BITES!
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| Posted 10/5/10 9:07 PM |
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mommyIam
Member since 7/09 9209 total posts
Name:
Shana
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
DS always had hands in mouth, but when it was just the thumb and he repeatedly kept putting it back, that minute, I took action. He was 2m old I think, and hated pacifiers.
I'd let him fall asleep with it, then switch out quickly thumb for paci, and a easy to hold toy (like a link) in the hand. He'd spit the paci out in a few minutes. I repeatidly did this awake and asleep for about a week. He stopped sucking thumb, but didn't take paci, till about 3m when he started teething.
eta: The trick is he'd move his hand to his mouth, but there would be a toy in it. He'd either suck on the toy or get annoyed and distracted. Whatever the case, let him be, then in a minute switch it out.
Message edited 10/5/2010 9:40:22 PM.
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| Posted 10/5/10 9:10 PM |
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OrganicMama
So in love with my little man!
Member since 6/08 5172 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
I'm sorry to tell you this, but cousin is 35 and STILL sucks her thumb. My DH's uncle is 55 and sucks his thumb.
I posted a while ago about this because my IL's were ENCOURAGING DS to suck his thumb, and I wasn't having it. DS will take the paci over the thumb, but what I do to discourage it is pull the thumb out without making a big deal of it. I also always have a paci on hand to put in his mouth!
Good luck! 
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| Posted 10/5/10 9:26 PM |
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maria430
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/07 671 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
I am so stressed over this!!!
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| Posted 10/5/10 9:56 PM |
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labonnevie
sometimes 1+1= 4 <3
Member since 8/09 3869 total posts
Name:
the lucky one
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
my 6mo old DD sucks her two fingers, ring and middle. she's been doing this for 2 months now. she started when she was teething. it has progressively gotten better (meaning she sucks it less) since her two bottom teeth came in. i try to pull them out when i get the chance, but i don't want her to think its a game.
with that being said, i think DD has a strong sucking reflux and needs to do it. it also is good for her to know how to soothe herself.
GL!
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| Posted 10/5/10 10:23 PM |
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mamaski
LIF Zygote
Member since 10/10 3 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
________________________________________
There are many ways to help stop thumb sucking but always remember to do it in a positive way and never shame a child. Thumb sucking can cause the teeth to be pushed forward and the palate of the mouth to raise, therefore changing the structure of the mouth and can even lead to speech problems...and possibly lead to braces. Talk to your dentist on the repercussions of thumb sucking. There are some simple things you can do to break the thumb sucking habit. A natural remedy is to use lemon juice on the thumb, but if your child is smart, they can wash it off. There is a fun product that kids love to help stop thumbsucking called "Thumbuddy To Love" (http://www.thumbuddytolove.com) that you can google or get on Amazon. Remember to always use praise for the little accomplishments!
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| Posted 10/6/10 10:00 PM |
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Jan1975
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Member since 8/09 3846 total posts
Name:
Sarah
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
I sucked my thumb until I was about 10 Nothing my parents did would break me of this habit (even putting tabasco on my thumb!!!). I was lucky though and did not have to get braces or antyhing! Sorry, I am no help!
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| Posted 10/6/10 10:13 PM |
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babydreaming
LIF Adult
Member since 3/07 1130 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
Posted by maria430
Posted by babydreaming
When DS showed signs when he was 3 mths old we put mittens on him. My mom actually knit him some.
My nephew sucked his thumb until he was four and it was torture breaking him out of the habit.
It took awhile to break him of the habit but he never became a thumb sucker. He is almost 3 now.
I put mittens on my DD as well and then she tried to stuff her whole hand in her mouth!
How long did it take to break the habit?
Because he was so young and was just starting to show signs, we were able to do it in a few weeks - I think I remember it being less than a month. My mom was adamant she was not going to have 2 grandsons that sucked their thumb. She stayed with us for a few months and was so vigilant about it - my nephew lived with her and I remember how we tried everything with him.
I am grateful to my mom!
BTW, my nephew only stopped after he understood the concept of money - at 4 years old. He had a money jar. They would give him a quarter every day he did not suck his thumb and take away a quarter every day he did. They even had his daycare in on it.....At the end of the week, he could buy a reward - something small like an ice cream cone. LOL - my sister would always supplement when he had a good week (without him knowing) just to keep motivating the good behavior.
Message edited 10/6/2010 10:34:01 PM.
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| Posted 10/6/10 10:30 PM |
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LittleBlueBug
Happy Mommy
Member since 9/06 4074 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
Posted by ABCiverson
Posted by MrsSpring
You don't have to stop your child from sucking her thumb right now. In general, thumb-sucking is more irritating to parents than it is harmful to kids. Your baby will stop when she's ready and has developed other ways of soothing herself.
As a former thumb sucker I totally disagree. I sucked until I was 9 years old(started at 3 days old). To this day it was by far the hardest habit I ever had to break. As a result I wore braces for 3 years. If my future kids suck their thumb I will try everything to stop it.
I also disagree. I sucked my thumb until I was 4 (almost 5). My skin broke down constantly from being in contact with my saliva and it was very painful. It's also a gateway to infection (both the action of putting thumb in mouth and having the skin broken down). I don't know if you can really break the habit at that age. It's good to self soothe, but I'm not a fan of thumb sucking because of my personal experience. I would try the paci again. Dont push it, but maybe she will find a re-newed interest.
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| Posted 10/6/10 10:38 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
Try offering a pacifier. It's easier to break that habit than the thumb.
My daughter is 7 & still struggling with it. We had a temporary halt over "princesses don't suck their thumbs" that lasted a month but then she went back to it.
I also disagree that it's not harmful. It's a difficult habit to break. I believe it affects my daughter's speech, it's already screwed up her teeth & I truly believe she gets sicker because her thumb is always in her mouth.
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| Posted 10/6/10 10:51 PM |
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Twstdvenus1
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/10 777 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
DD2 is now 10 1/2 weeks and found her thumb around 5 weeks. I would just gently remove her thumb from her mouth and replace it with her pacifier. She still sneaks it in once in a while but not nearly as much as she did in the week or 2 after she started. She is still not a huge fan of the pacifier but I figure I can get rid of the paci, cant get rid of her hands
Just stick with it...and dont make it a big deal...I think the whole 'I'm gonna do exactly what mommy and daddy dont want me to' is encoded into their DNA and the minute you show annoyance the more they do it.....
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| Posted 10/6/10 11:01 PM |
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Kierasmom
I love my kids
Member since 5/05 2885 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
DS was a thumbsucker from the beginning and he is still going strong at almost 2 1/2. He does seem to mostly do it now when he's tired but there's not much we can do about it. We tried when he was younger to give him the pacifier instead but that didn't work. We also try to take his thumb out of his mouth when he's just walking around with it in his mouth. But it's a hard thing to break a child from. I've been told there's not much you can do and you just have to hope they grow out of it on their own.
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| Posted 10/6/10 11:08 PM |
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laurenM
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1440 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thumbsucking - Help!!
My dd sucked until she was three....
the dentist said to do whatever it takes to stop at that point.
WE bought the foul tasting nailpolish, and used getting a weekly manicure as a bribe. SHe pretty much stopped that week. Once in a while, 6 months later, at bedtime she will say that she cannot fall asleep and could she suck her thumb? I realize those nights that she is in some need for comfort and I go in and rub her back a little bit.
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| Posted 10/7/10 7:10 AM |
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