how do we reduce/stop thumb sucking?
3.25 yr-old sucks her thumb while sleepy, getting read to, watching tv, or in need of comfort. She doesn't suck while out and about, but is vigorous enough that her two front teeth are bucking, one quite badly. We've been gently trying to reduce the habit (I'll just stop reading but continue cuddling until she pops the thumb out), but she seems to be getting more stubborn with it. This morning, I switched to toilet training technique of a chocolate chip if she can keep it out all morning. Other suggestions? Tried a band-aid, but she just takes off the band-aid. Thanks, from my daughter's future orthodontist!
4 Answers
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Update: the chocolate worked beautifully for one day, until she realized she was really, truly no longer sucking her thumb. She then declared she didn't care about the chocolate. Strategy 2 is now underway, the gentle recommendations to keep it to her room. It's been very difficult, but we'll stick with it. Still, we're open to other suggestions, and thankful for your time and thoughts!
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According to my mother, my sister quit sucking her thumb on her own after she (sister) accidentally slammed her thumb in a dresser drawer. Ouch! I on the other hand, wasn't so fortunate to have created a negative association.
I sucked my thumb with a blanket in hand. My mother thought there was a connection between the thumb and blanket, so she took away the blanket. I remember being very upset over this but ended up replacing the blanket with a teddy bear. After years of pleading and painful orthodontics, I finally quit sucking my thumb. I couldn't let the bear go and found that I "self soothed" with my fingers by twisting and playing with threads and fibers on the teddy bear. Shame and embarassment finally made me ditch the teddy bear when I left for college. The poor thing is missing an entire arm and ear now.
I don't really have an answer, or tips on what to try but encourage you to do everything you can to help your child kick the habit. I suffered many painful years of my childhood with orthodontics, and not to mention my embarassment over the teddy bear. I really have no idea if I just needed to keep my hands busy, or if I was overly self soothing for a particular reason. I do however wish my mom had talked to someone about it, perhaps a child psychologist?
