how do i get my son to stop sucking his thumb?

Question

I want my son to stop sucking his thumb

Answer 1

Put Tabasco sauce on it!

Answer 2

If he isn't school-age yet, don't worry about it. If it's worrying you that it'll affect his teeth, that's a myth. I sucked my thumb until I was 12, and my teeth are perfectly straight. The alignment of teeth depends on genetics, not what a baby sucks on for comfort. If it's between letting him suck a pacifier and sucking his thumb, leave his thumb alone. Babies suck their thumb in the womb for a reason- it's the right shape, and it's attached. It's a comfort thing, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Also, the 'remedies' that have to do with putting vile (and often very harmful) things on a baby/child's fingers to stop them from sucking them? It's cruel and stupid.

Answer 3

First of all, how old is he? If he is a baby, don't worry about it. If he is 21, then you have a problem. Seriously, many people will tell you to put something on the thumb that tastes bad. It works, but in reality the way it works is that it make him aware that he shouldn't do it. I have five children and the way I stopped them was to simply remind them every-time they did it. In a short time they realized what they were doing and stopped.

Answer 4

My daughter is 1 and she sucks her thumb. I guess that I am not too worried about it and she will stop when she is ready. We all have our little habits. I hate to force her to stop when it is a comforting thing for her. If your child is old enough, I guess you could use repetitive reminders. I don't agree with putting anything on the thumb.

Answer 5

You asked this under newborn & baby so I would assume many of the answers that you already got are inappropriate -salt, tabasco sauce, etc.
Either give him a pacifier or just let him do it. At this young age there is no harm in it and it is a benefit (for him and you) that he can soothe himself.
For an older child (over 5) I would suggest doing what my mother did - bring the child to the dentist or an orthodontist and have him or her scare the thumb out of his mouth (worked on my sister when she was 7).

Answer 6

You haven't mentioned how old your son is.
I would just try to ignore his thumb sucking and not make an issue of it, he will eventually grow out of it in his own time.

Answer 7

You may want him to stop sucking his thumb, but does he? Don't worry he will stop, especially when he is old enough to see that "older boys" do not such their thumbs. Don't make a big deal out it.

Answer 8

How old is he. We tried all the stuff listed, hot sauce & other stop thumb sucking meds. none worked. he will stop when he's ready. It's a comfort thing.

Answer 9

I sucked my thumb at night till i become 8 and then it purely stoped sooner or later. My mom tried to break me of the habit yet I couldnt look to quit. I didnt choose braces. and my sister sucked her thumb till she become 10 and has proper tooth i be attentive to while my uncle become little my grandma saved sneaking tobasco sauce on his thumb while he become napping and that stoped him. I dont often accept as true with bribbig yet you may consistently attempt to bribe him with a funky toy he quite needs if he can supply up the habit set a time to it like in case you dont suck your thumb for a month you will get this..... and then get a definite calendar and stickers. for daily he doesnt suck his thumb enable him placed a decal on the calander. while 30 days in a row is up enable him get the toy and probability is by ability of that element he wont even think of approximately sucking his thumb with the aid of fact lots time has long surpassed by ability of

Answer 10

How old is he, just leave him he will grow out of it, how many 16 year old do you see sucking their thumbs??

Answer 11

put hot sauce on it.
say "only babies do that"
every time he does it slap his hand,theres so many ways,just find something that works cause each kid is different,he might just be doing it for comfort so buy him a stuffed animal,or a car or something and when hes sucking his thumb tell him to go get that object and hold it.itll be easier to ween him off a stuffed animal after u get him off his thumb rather than just going cold turkey with it