How do i get my 6yr old to stop sucking her thumb, it's really starting to concern me....?

Question

It has gotten to the point where she is not even aware she is doing it, we thought that she would simply grow out of it, yet so far she hasn't? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

I sucked my thumb until the 1st grade. When I quit my mom got a calander and marked off 30 days. At the end of the 30 days I got a suprize... a gold locket, and I was done thumbsucking. 20 some odd years later and Im still cured!

Answer 2

First of all thumb or finger sucking do not cause any kind of dental problems. There have been lots of major studies done on this problem. Secondly the best way to get the child to stop is by positive reinforcement. The child is doing this for comfort. So try putting something on the finger or thumb but make it a gradual process. It can be a lot harder on the child to stop suddenly then actually sucking their thumb. So just be very patient and when you notice her not doing it at a time she normally would give her lots of praise and encouragement.

Answer 3

I sucked my thumb til I was probably 10, and you need him to stop because it caused me to get braces. My parents put some nasty tasting stuff on my thumbs, and kept putting it on every hour until I decided I didn't want to taste it anymore. You'll want to find a good way to break his oral fixation by going to a therapist because when I stopped sucking my thumb I turned into a fat little kid because I was eating too much, and then when I stopped overeating, I started smoking.

Answer 4

I've never seen a kid Grow out of thumb sucking at this age, i remember my 14 year old cousin still sucking her thumb. That is why mine had dummies. Try using the bitter nail polish for nail bitters. This should work as a reminder to take the thumb out

Answer 5

You have to be very diligent in reminding her to put her thumb down. Don't be harsh. Also try to find something to replace her thumb like rubbing something silky or something she can squish in her hand when you give her that reminder. When my husband was little they were able to break the habit during the day but he'd always do it when he was sleeping. The orthodonist made him wear head gear at night because his thumb wore a groove in his mouth and he couldn't breathe without the thumb in that spot.

Answer 6

If you are really concerned, there is a procedure that can be done through the dentist office, they would put in a mouthpiece that would prevent thumsucking. This is like the application of braces, it does not hurt, and is like wearing a retainer. They would only have to wear it for a short time, but it breaks the habit.

Check into this with your dentist's office.

Answer 7

I'd take her to the doctor. My neice sucked her thumb and held her ear all the way to 3rd grade, and it was a problem. (Cute when little, but not in 3rd grade) (My sister did the same exact thing, so I guess this is hereditary !)
However my child didn't want anything to do with her thumb, or a pacifier. (Go Figure) I was the same way.

Answer 8

She's old enough to notice that her freinds don't do it anymore. Ask her, doesn't she want to be older like her freinds? This is a powerful persuader for this age. Worked for mine at 5. Good luck.

Answer 9

put a bandaid or something on her finger that she cant remove so she wont suck it, or she'd be aware if she starts sucking it...it'll be real hard at first coz its always hard to break a habit...but she'll be fine after 2 or 3 days

Answer 10

Why does she need to stop sucking her thumb?