My 4yr. old won't stop sucking her two middle fingers. She has been doing it since she was a baby. I have tried several things over the past few years. I've tried everything from keeping her hands busy to putting hot sauce and mustard on them.
nothing has worked. Please help me.
2006-09-16 13:44:33 · 23 answers · asked by strawberry 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
in a drug store or walmart in the baby section there is this stuff you paint there nails with and it is nasty tasting that should help that is all i can tell you sorry (i think it costs like $6.00)
2006-09-16 13:49:10 · answer #1 · answered by Big Mama 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had the problem when I was growing up. My mother tried everything, from your suggestive Hot sauce to rubbing alcohol. Come on, I was smart enough to go and wash. Frankly, what stopped me was braces. They had to put a mechanism in the top part of my soft palate/upper jaw which would assist in widening the soft palate. after the years of sucking, it had slowly made my upper palate mold downward (not enough to notice on the outside.) And my finger that I sucked on is slightly and permanantly crooked.. I suggest you do constant reminders, and through the night you take the fingers out of the mouth. Also check with your pediatrician. - Good luck.. Miltnmedic
2006-09-16 21:14:45 · answer #2 · answered by miltnmedic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sis had the same problem. They have this spicy nail polish that will discourage her. put mittens on her or gloves. Soon enough, at around age 6 she will have to get this hang down cage thing on the roof of her mouth because sucking her fingers has thrusted her teeth forward im sure. Also, try sugar free lolly pops or gum to keep her busy. Buy her a squishy ball to play with when she is most likley to suck her fingers, like when she watched TV.
2006-09-16 22:12:36 · answer #3 · answered by .:Blair:. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask you pediatrician about this...I'm not sure if they still make it or if you can buy it over the counter or what.
I used to suck my thumb when I was little and my pediatrician gave my mom this stuff called "Sour Apples". You just put it on your toddler's fingers. It has a really sour taste and will hopefully keep her from sucking her fingers. It worked for me, but as I said before, I don't know if they even make the stuff anymore, it's been about 20 years since my mom had to use it on me
Good Luck!!!
2006-09-17 00:20:39 · answer #4 · answered by magnadudl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when my daughter was attempting to wean her 3 yr old from the bottle, with no luck. I put some golden-seal root extract on the nipple and rubbed in good. That did the trick. The stuff is bitterrrrrr.
You can get it at the pharmacy by the vitamin supplements. Or see an herbalist. I would recommend trying that on her fingers.
2006-09-20 14:04:56 · answer #5 · answered by Gramms 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try using something she likes. Does she like to dress up? Help her paint her nails, so she won't want to put them in her mouth. Buy some cute gloves, even finger puppets. Make sure to find activities that she truly enjoys. The more she's interested in what her hands are playing with, and the more focused she is with what she is doing, the less likely she will want to put them in her mouth. Good luck.
2006-09-16 20:55:16 · answer #6 · answered by Sadie555 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are you trying to force your child to give up something that gives her comfort? What is wrong with her sucking her fingers? Suncking fingers, sucking thumbs, sucking toes has nothing to do with becoming "bucked teethed", the mouth formation is genetic, if she has to wear braces in the future it is because of her genetics not her fingersucking.
2006-09-16 23:43:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep her shorts/trousers a bit loose so that they dont fall but dont stay on the hips .. they get annoyed and busy with there hand pulling up the trousers so wont suck their fingers .. It worked very well for my 3 yrs old.
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2006-09-20 11:18:44 · answer #8 · answered by Sameer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good luck with that...I think it's something you have to just grow out of. My little sister sucked those fingers, as far as I can remember till about 2nd grade. I sucked my thumb at night till the dentist cemented a retainer with wire prongs on it in my mouth. (about 4th grade) My parents tried everything, and I either sucked it off, or didn't care. If she wants to suck them, she's gonna, unless you find the right motivation for her.
2006-09-16 20:49:02 · answer #9 · answered by Mrs. Lucky 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My little sister didn't outgrow finger sucking untill she was 9. She mostly did it at home. IT never ruined her teeth nor did it effect her friend making. She will grow out of it I am sure.
2006-09-16 22:30:46 · answer #10 · answered by erinjl123456 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a child who sucked her thumbs until they were infected. When she was 6 she stopped. Leave your 4 year old alone. She is nervous. She'll get over it all on her own. Really.
2006-09-16 20:54:21 · answer #11 · answered by Wiser1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋