How to stop thumb sucking?

Question

My daughter is 6 years old.She only sucks her thumb in her sleep.How can I stop this?

Answer 1

This question shows up often. Here's the answer I keep sending when it does: (If, by any chance, you've asked this one before and I sent this answer please disregard and accept my apologies. My computer is too slow for me to double-check that your question isn't a repeat for me.)

. If you explain to a child who is as old as five that he's now kind of old to be sucking his thumb in public (because people who aren't babies just don't do that in public) tell him 1) it is important he not do it in school at all or the other kids will start to tease him, 2) he should try to not do it until bedtime, but if that's not possible then at least keep it inside the house. Other than that, if he sucks his thumb til he's 40 it doesn't really matter. The thing about teeth is kind of overblown. My kids have beautiful teeth, and they all sucked their thumbs for a time (some longer than others). Just a note: I was an "offender" as a child. I have a "thing" about people trying too hard to stop a child from sucking his own thumb because as a child my reasoning was this: "It is my thumb. I am a good girl and a nice girl. Why are they acting as if I'm doing something so horrible? Why don't they leave me alone? Why do they keep acting like there's something wrong with me just because of this?" I'd be watching tv, sucking the thumb, and trying to hide what I was doing because every time my father saw me doing it he's say "Thumb". I didn't think it was his business. I thought he was stupid for making a big deal out of nothing. I resented that I had been "driven underground" because I just couldn't relax and watch tv and not worry about who was coming. In spite of all my father's efforts (if my mother cared about it she never said said much), I stopped somewhere along the way just because I must have grown out of the phase. I hoped everyone was happy that I was finally now "perfect" because for all the time I'd been sucking the thumb I was made to feel guilty about it and made me feel like I was doing something that was a Big, Giant, Problem. If you got the statistics on the numbers of children who suck their thumbs for a period of time you would see how common it is and what a big deal it isn't. It is their thumb. Leave them alone. I can tell you if you start putting pepper on it and harrassing them about it they are going to think you are butting in to what isn't your business, and they are going to remember you're poor handling of the issue for the rest of time!!! (Just a note: My teeth are fine. My thumb grew as big as the other one did. ) As a former "offender" and the parent of more than one former "offender", my kids and I all wonder, "What the hell is the big deal?!!" Finally, one question to all you "tobasco thinkers": Do you ever overeat? Overdrink? Smoke? Lose your temper? Let your house get messier than it should get? Procrastinate? Etc. Why don't work on your own bugaboos and leave your child alone. It is his thumb, and children know quite young what is theirs and not yours. If you didn't suck your thumb when you were a kid, well, bully for you..... but that's why you just don't get it...

Answer 2

Despite all the ideas of putting something bad tasting on the thumb, it won't work. Mittens or gloves don't work either. The loyal thumb sucker can easily get past any of it. Our daughter didn't care about anything on her thumb, she'd just lick it or wash it. Your daughter will stop sucking her thumb when she's ready. Our daughter is going on 9 and still sucks hers at night. I've had many discussions with the Pediatrician over this and they've all said she'll quit when she's ready. I've also talked to the dentist and they said there's no permanent damage to her teeth. In fact, the thumb is natural shape and doesn't push the teeth like a pacifier would. Her thumb is her security and comfort. Don't take it away from her. That could be more harmful than just letting her suck it. Honestly, she'll quit when she's ready. It's usually more of an issue for the parents than the kids because it's what makes them feel good.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

from personal experience, chilli, gloves etc are not helpful. if yr gal only sucks her thumb during sleeping and not during her daily activity, it is not really a big concern. sucking the thumb gives comfort & security. but if u r really bother by it, try to gently pull her thumb out while she is deep in sleep. most likely she will not be awaken, but when she toss & turn later she will probably suck her thumb again. I do not think u can condition her to stop this until perhaps when she is older.

Answer 4

There's some stuff called Thum that makes fingernails taste horrible. Ask at your drugstore. I put some on my daughter's thumbs once, and spilled some on my own finger by accident - I noticed it when I put my finger in my mouth a few days later! YUK!

Of course, she used to clean the stuff off her thumbs by sucking them until it was all gone - what can you do? It works for some kids and it doesn't work for others.

Answer 5

I can not understand how people say thumb sucking does not ruin your teeth! Mine protrude exactly the shape of my thumb from sucking it till I was six!. I am lucky they do not protrude outside my lips. She will do it when she is ready But I bet she substitutes it with something else. Mine was finger nail biting. She needs something else to substitute for it. Like a squeeze ball maybe to relieve stress and the people need to leave her alone and get her involved in things to relieve her stress and keep her mind off it!!!!!.

Answer 6

i am 32 and have sucked my thumb all my life.
when i was little it was my deep dark secret, as i was so ashamed. my biggest fear was of pushing my teeth forward and having to have braces. but that never happened, and i never had dental problems. thumbsucking gives a sense of security, like sleeping with a teddybear. i know that i will suck my thumb for the rest of my life and i am ok with it. of course my partner knows and they are ok too. at the end of the day, it is doing no physical harm, and gives the person a psychological sense of security. i am a normal person with a normal upbringing and lifestyle. so please, don't try to stop your child from sucking her thumb. she probably gets alot of enjoyment from it and it isn't hurting her. it would be cruel to make her stop. i really hope this has helped.

Answer 7

Some common method include
- Aloe or other bad tasting substance on thumb
- Talking about problems (somem people belive its an emotional thing)
- Wearing gloves, or thimbal
- Drinking water before bed

Answer 8

this is a comfort for her. try and put something on her thumb that tastes gross. but give her something else to hold that will be comforting while she sleeps. She has a need for this comfort and will need it replaced. When people have a habit, and they stop it, it is usually replaced by something, it is only human nature.

Answer 9

Find the product that stops nail biting.. it tastes really bitter and place it on her thumbs. She will be in a rude awakening and eventually will stop.

Hugs Mel

Answer 10

Put a plaster in her thumb she will stop doing that