I've tried putting a glove on her hand but she just takes it off. I've also tried puting that bitter medicine on it with no success. I'm afraid if she doesn't quit she will be teased at school.
2006-06-25 08:24:08 · 32 answers · asked by Mama C. 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
ut oh!
they never want their 'security' taken away
whats worse about a thumb is its attached to her! not like a pacifier ( and breaking from a pacifier can be hard)
persistence is the only thing that will work
break her for the day time only at first.....
My aunt had a good idea with her daughter
she "dyed" her daughter's thumb with some orange kool-aid every morning at breakfast....(it was actually orange food coloring...one drop in a measuring cup of water; 16 0z.)
this would help remind the child not to suck....some days it would wash off and they would re-do it, but a little orange stain on the mouth a mommy will notice...and be able to remind the daughter that we promised to try and stop doing that.
A good reward system is sure to aid this.
(or you could just dip it in bong water)
2006-06-26 00:37:52 · answer #1 · answered by Cap'n Donna 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I am a 25 year old and still suck my thumb. OK not on a daily basis, not even a weekly basis. But there are those days when I am home watching TV at most relaxing, then I catch myself doing it. I remember when I was young my mom tried everything, from putting hotsauce on my thumb to trying to bribe me with toys and money. I remember being so in love and so comforted by sucking my thumb that none of that mattered. I feel like each kid is different. Honestly I stopped sucking my thumb on a daily basis when I turned 16. I know its ridiculous. But whats the big deal? They say it ruins your teeth but my are perfectly fine. I do not have an overbite and my teeth are not crooked. I say leave her alone and let her be. It's not that serious.
2006-06-25 08:43:26 · answer #2 · answered by whos_tat_grl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes they quit on their own, but not always... 2 of my nieces sucked their thumbs till they were grown. Thumb-sucking is said to be a form of insecurity... probably from taking the bottle or pacifier away from them before they're ready. They can get too attached to the thumb & getting them to stop can be brain-racking. She'll probably hide her thumb-sucking from other kids... & may try to hide it from you too, if you physically try to force her to stop. I suggest an internet search on thumb-sucking, from experts, because not every child will quit the way others have quit & other people's ways to get them to stop don't always work for every child. We got suggestions like>>> give the bottle/pacifier back to them, & that they'll outgrow it. Some suggested to put soap on the thumb or put tobasco sauce on the thumb... no doubt, some children would probably just sit there, suck their thumb & cry... just to have that sense of security.
2006-06-25 08:51:48 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a bit old for sucking, but you can stop it in a very easy manner, reward her say if you do not suck for a day you get a point and also doing other stuff keep her busy and happy some kids do it for comfort make sure she feels happy and safe! Then say once you get 10 points you get a special toy once you get 50 we will see a movie.
2006-06-26 09:43:36 · answer #4 · answered by Golden Ivy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting teased at school will be the best way to get the habit to stop and she will survive it.
Seriously, back off this one. It is not an important battle to fight. At home you can do little things, like refuse to understand what she is saying if she's got her thumb in her mouth.
As my doc once said, no one walks down the aisle sucking their thumb.
2006-06-25 08:31:02 · answer #5 · answered by Lori A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being teased at school might be what gets her to stop. The more you make an issue out of it, the more she might battle you about it.
Personally, I stopped sucking my thumb at age 6 when my parents told me my front teeth would make me look like "Bugs Bunny" lol :)
2006-06-25 08:28:49 · answer #6 · answered by blueskies7890 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Louisianna Hot Sauce
2006-06-25 08:27:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
SHE needs to WANT to stop sucking her thumb. You can't make her. Don't traumatize her by making such a big deal out of it, or putting stuff on her thumb to make it taste bad. I sucked my thumb until I was nine. I don't have buck teeth, and it didn't stunt my emotional, mental, or physical growth. In other words, stop worrying about it. She'll stop when she wants to stop. Most likely, after she gets teased at school she'll stop (at least at school).
2006-06-25 08:31:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My brother was the same way, he sucked his thumb until he was 8, don't worry, just put anything that does not taste good on your kids thumb and she should stop sucking it, if she doesn't stop go see a doctor.
2006-06-25 10:14:10 · answer #9 · answered by Go Wildcats 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh... i had that problem till 9 or 10.... i basically stopped on my own but u can maybe paint her nails?
also, maybe give her something else to be distracted with, like a blanket.
wrap her thumb in a cloth or something
or maybe like put something on her thumb (like nailpolish remover) and tell her that if she sucks on it, she will get very very sick because it's poisinous....
also, maybe have her sleep with her hand under her pillow so she may not suck it
just trying to help!
it can sometimes make your teeth misalligned, but i'm not sure if thats true..
give them a reward for not sucking it too, as said above.
one last thought, thumb sucking may be due to insecurity, so you may want to put a nightlight in her room, and leave the door open until she falls asleep
2006-06-25 12:04:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋