any suggestions on how to stop my 6 yr old son from thumb-sucking?

Question

he's old enough to take off any kind of junk you put on there so please don't suggest that .. we've also talked to him about the cosmetic issue behind it and he thinks we're are just making it up to scare him .. so any fresh ideas would be great

Answer 1

Use mercuronome - its that red antiseptic liquid, kind of like iodine, but it doesn't come off easily. It actually keeps the finger stained for days and if he sucks on it, it will be all over his face. In addition, it's very bitter tasting.

Answer 2

pointing it out will only seem like nagging.

the most common time for sucking is when children are tired, bored, or in need of comfort. Often these children fall asleep more easily, are able to put themselves back to sleep at night more easily, and sleep through the night much earlier than their peers who do not suck their thumbs.

Children have control of their own thumbs when you are not looking. Pressure applied against thumb sucking can turn a natural developmental phase into an ingrained habit.

Instead, you want to create an environment where he chooses to stop on his own. Painting something that tastes yucky on the thumbs can make sucking them less satisfying. Commercial products are available for this purpose. Other parents have had success with pickle juice or a drop of vinegar. You might have to switch flavors periodically because people can develop a taste for almost anything

Comments from other people, though, can be helpful. His pediatrician and dentist can be important allies, helping him to feel that he wants to stop because he is growing up!

Having children he respects (and who don’t suck their thumbs) over for sleepovers can also help. If they comment on his thumb sucking, it can be a powerful motivation. If he doesn’t suck during the sleepover, it further weakens the habit.

I hope that i helped you solve your problem!

Answer 3

My 9 year old still sucks his thumb but usually only when he is tired or stressed out. I also graduated 10 years ago with someone who couldn't fall alseep unless she was sucking her thumb and during the day would always have a lock of her hair in her mouth (she didn't even realize she did these things until someone would call her attention to it and she would then stop). She still has those traits. Basically, what I am saying is this kind of stuff happens and either she will or will not grow out of it and it could be worse.

Answer 4

This is tough because you don't want to be overpowering to your child about this. Kids do this for "comforting". Your child may be a little shy, unassertive or even a little uncertain about the world. By 6, its now a habit. My daughter sucked her thumb to 12, but when she was asleep she would even put it in her mouth through her teens. I put lightweight, cotton mittens I made and they tied around the wrist. But as you can see, it only slowed her down until she decided it wasn't cool in public. And that was really what I wanted more than anything else. But being harsh with these kids doesn't work, it makes it worse, because they tend to be sensitive anyway. And it did NOT mess up her teeth. So be consistent but be kind.

Answer 5

I sucked my thumb until I was 10. My parents tried everything but I didn't quit until I made up my own mind that it was time to quit. I was lucky and I did not get bucked teeth but I did get the fat thumbs. I don't think there really is anything you can do to make him stop. You can just help him realize that he is too old for that and his friends will make fun of him if they find out.

Answer 6

He will stop when he is ready. I sucked my thumb and quit when I was about 7, also the cosmetic issue doesn't affect everyone, even though I sucked my thumb, I have perfectly straight teeth and never had braces.

Answer 7

That's a hard one. I think since your child is a boy he might stop. Because he could be con-sided to be a c.c. and you know boys don't like that word. My daughter sucks her thumb to and I tried everything. And she is now 15 in she still sucks her thumb. I ask her what do you do at school. For the most time while in school she don't suck her thumb. She told me when she really feels like it she gos to the bathroom in does it.Acts like she using it. A few months ago I took her to get her nails done in she realize she couldn't suck her thumb so she cut off her nail.Just to suck it. I think its a addiction

Answer 8

As harsh as this sounds, what would your grandparents have done.... He would have gotten a SPANKING!!!! I'm not saying beat your child bloody and lock him in the closet. But, a good spanking not and then helps show children that there are consequences for their actions and sometimes those actions can be painful. Sit him down and tell him that sucking his thumb is UNACCEPTABLE!!! Tell him that next time you see him doing it, he is going to get a spanking. He WILL test you!!! After he realizes you are serious, he will stop. Good Luck!!

Answer 9

I know this sounds cruel but my boyfriends mother (who is hispanic) used juice from a hot pepper on him to break his habit as a child. It is hard to wash off. Maybe try reading books to him on the subject. Take him to his doctor/dentist and have them tell him what can happen from thumb sucking. Good luck!

Answer 10

Try another way to occupy his mouth such as sugar-free chewing gum. You could combine this with some sort of privilege to use as a reward, such as TV or video game time. If he sucks his thumb, he loses the privilege; if he refrains from sucking his thumb, he gains the privilege.