Thumb sucking

Thank you for the good suggestions. I'm guessing that a dummy is a pacifier? That would be easier as it isn't attached to her person. She only sucks her thumb when she is awake and tired. After she falls asleep it falls out.

Yes sorry a dummy is a pacifier, if she doesnt suck it at night then I think thats the biggest part solved, I allowed my daughter to have her dummy until she wanted to part with it and when she was ready she did it and it was easy better than just taking it from her. Sucking her thumb wont really hurt her if you cant get her to stop I dont think anything good ever comes out of forcing a child to do something they dont want too. Im sure she will soon decide that sucking her thumb is no longer something she wants to do xxxx

Thank you Jukiebird. That is rough about your daughter. One of the responses above talked about weaning a child off her thumb with the help of a dentist. YorkieBear has suggested a sticker reward system, which would work better for a younger child of course.

I don't know if you will find it useful, but I did a search and found a couple of websites that contain information on thumb sucking. Here are the links: http://www.essortment.com/all/stopthumbsucki_rhxo.htm http://www.questdiagnostics.com/kbase/as/tp23120/how.htm I had a little chat with my daughter and told her it might be time to stop sucking her thumb. She said, "no-o-o." So I suggested that she wanted to have pretty teeth and be a big girl, right? She agreed, so I told her that I would give her a sticker three times a day if she didn't suck her thumb for a certain amount of time and that after a week, she could get a prize. I gave her one of the plastic handles you use to make juice popsicles to chew on. It worked until it was almost nap time. We'll keep working on it.

Yes unfortunately that will definately NOT work with mine. I told her I'd have her nails done if she quit... she's getting worse about it too... drives me nuts... and it's to the point where when someone threatens to tell everyone like say in school she does it first and then is like if you have a problem with it, too bad... I have 3 other daughters younger than her, and now if she gets caught sucking her thumb anywhere in the house other than her bed when she's sleeping, she has to go to bed immediately. I've had it, but there isn't anything I can really do about it. :( Julie

Thank you for the encouragement. I'm starting to feel better about it now.

You're very welcome. I'm sure things will work out in time on it. Like I said most children do stop on their own and yours will to once they are ready.

That's pretty good. I don't think she'd buy it though.:)

Thank you very much. The use of 'foul-tasting stuff' seems really mean to me. She likes playing games on the computer and can't suck her thumb when she's doing that. Also, playing at the park. Her main problem is when she's tired and sitting in the car or watching TV. I've given her the plastic popsicle base to chew on today, after having a little pep talk with her, and she is currently walking around with it, occasionally chewing on it. It is bright pink and seems to be reminding her about not sucking on her thumb. I can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and am very glad I posted this discussion. I think you're probably right, she's at a fairly reasonable age and amenable to suggestions.

Thank you for your comment. We do want to avoid creating a weight problem, though. So far suckers, etc. only help while she's eating them.

I know i'm sorry but it'll probably be different with you. All the luck.

Oh, dear. That doesn't sound encouraging.

Yes. Thank you for that. I'm sure she will be outgrowing it sometime soon and it does seem a big comfort when she is feeling upset or sleepy.

Yes. Perhaps if I just remind her more often...

Perhaps you are right. On her first birthday she suddenly decided to walk and slightly before her third birthday she suddenly decided to use the potty. She seems to have her own little schedule. :)