2006-08-26 05:21:11 · 27 answers · asked by dj_fefe1022 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
at 2yrs old he still needs that comfort. You can remind him to stop sucking his thumb when he's awake but you will never be able to get him to stop when he is asleep until he is ready to give it up. Take comfort in knowing that very few children still suck their thumbs after they start school. There are mouth pieces that you can buy from your dentist and nail polish that tastes terrible if you are really that concerned about it.
2006-08-26 05:26:47 · answer #1 · answered by sexyheater 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Childhood habits like thumb sucking are not usually something to worry about. In fact, you may be surprised to know that 45% of 2-year-olds suck their thumbs, probably as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. Thumb sucking can remind a child of the comfort linked to feeding during infancy.
Most childhood habits go away on their own - especially if a parent ignores it. If your daughter doesn't seem to be outgrowing her thumb sucking, try some positive reinforcement. Reward her with an extra bedtime story or another favorite treat when she doesn't suck her thumb. Be generous with the praise, too. And remember, most habits at this age are just passing phases.
2006-08-26 12:28:04 · answer #2 · answered by ted_armentrout 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try giving him a pacifier instead...I KNOW, I KNOW, JUST READ.. then after a few weeks cut the tips off of the nipple part and leave it where he can find it. When he puts it into his mouth it won't feel right and he'll bring it to you and want to know what's wrong... just say sweetly..."on no...it broke...let's throw it away." It works best if he's been on the pacifier for about 2 months or longer and has several that all end up "broke" at the same time... I know there will be those that just cringe at the thought of giving a two year old a pacifier... but you can ween them off of pacifiers easier... you can't cut off their fingers. If he starts sucking his thumb again, go back to pacifiers for a while... he's just not ready.
2006-08-26 12:35:06 · answer #3 · answered by LYN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The more you try to get him to stop the more of a problem it can become for you.
My sister's husband tried everything on my niece. The nail paint, the tabasco sauce, the rubber band, etc and now she's 19 and still sucks her thumb. She used to hide in the closet to do it.
I'd try giving him a pacifier every time you see him sucking his thumb and then after a few months poking a hole in it.
2006-08-26 13:23:39 · answer #4 · answered by C K Platypus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends how long he has been doing it. If this is new behavior just keep taking it out and say no. And trying giving him a healthy snack like garanola bars or fruit or something. Or redirect his energy into some other activity like coloring. Something that will find him comfort like a pillow or blanket or teddy bear. My oldest tried to suck his thumb and my youngest tried sucking his bottom lip. And this has worked for me. But you have to correct it early or it will become a set habit. Then it will be harder to correct.
2006-08-26 12:27:48 · answer #5 · answered by Jade 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 year olds are still babies. Stop trying and let go. Appreciate him for what he is now. If you can do that and focus on what he does right instead, he will grow out of this stage much faster than if you childishly try to focus on it. (Notice I use the word childish...I do not think you are but we have a history of behaving childishly with our children and then expect them to grow up :) Pecular huh? Not all cultures behave so stupidly with children)
So which would you prefer a teenage drug problem or a 2 year old sucking his thumb. Support him and you won't get the former. Focus on the negative and thats what you get...eventually.
2006-08-26 12:29:47 · answer #6 · answered by Greanwitch 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't make him stop. Let him do it on his own. Thumb sucking is about securit for him. Some kids have a blanky, some a favorite stuffed animal, others a thumb.
2006-08-26 12:25:49 · answer #7 · answered by tricksy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why does he have to stop sucking his thumb? Leave him alone he is fine there is nothing wrong with thumbsucking except for the people who make a major issue out of it.
2006-08-29 03:15:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put some bitter but safe to eat ointment on his thumb.The taste will discourage him from sucking his thumb again.Or you could put a plaster on his thumb so that he wouldn't enjoy sucking his thumb.Perhaps then, he would stop.Good luck!
2006-08-26 12:31:48 · answer #9 · answered by abby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep reinforcing it..pull his thumb out when you see him doing it. Pacifers and other "sucking" devices won't do it..Doctor's say that the need to suck should be past. Offer rewards when big boy can go awhile without his thumb(security).
2006-08-30 09:47:53 · answer #10 · answered by tamara.knsley@sbcglobal.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋