thread: thumb sucking

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Apr 2007
    gold coast
    1,759

    thumb sucking

    how do i get DD to stop sucking her thumb? she is 2.5yo.
    is this something that i will just have to let happen over time?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    Ouiinslano
    5,303

    Look at why she sucks her thumb, and address that cause.

    If it's out of boredom, then find things that will keep her hands occupied, and suggest things.

    If it's for security, then make sure she feels safe and well-supported. Give strategies for tricky situations. Really important in this instance NOT to make a big deal out of it - I have seen someone shouting "get tat thumb out of your mouth" to a security sucker. What does this make them do? Suck more because they feel inadequate.

    If it's for comfort, then it will probably just stop eventually, you may need to find distractions occasionally.

    My absolute best advice though is not to worry about it. It will probably stop, or gradually taper off - even if it's not until she's five. Making a big deal out of it often makes it worse, as far as I've seen.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    Melbourne
    2,732

    We are making a concerted effort to stop our nearly three-year-old from thumbsucking on advice from our dentist (it can affect palate development). So we take his thumb to his "pointer" finger at night. During the day we just tell him to stop whenever we see it. We're not comfortable with any of the nail paints because of the ingredients.

    We joke about taping a bucket to his hand so he can't get at it

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Apr 2007
    gold coast
    1,759

    she does it for sleep and when she is watching a movie sop purly a comfort thing. she doesnt walk around all day so i i guess it isnt that much of a prob