My 1yo sucks his thumb to the point that is skin cracks and gets sores on it. I want him to still have the comfort of sucking it because I have heard that you can't break a thumb sucker. Is there anything I can put on it and isnt harmful if ingested?
2007-01-18 14:56:32 · 9 answers · asked by Baby Julie due 5/12 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
He was on a pacifier when he was a newborn and I give him one now and he doesnt know what to do with it, and when he does get it in his mouth he makes a gross face and he dont like the feel of it in his mouth
2007-01-18 15:16:59 · update #1
My 2 year old daughter is a thumb sucker and I understand exactly how you feel. I don't want to break her from it because her pediatrician says that she will eventually break the habit, most likely before she's five, and our dentist says there is no evidence that thumb sucking is harmful to children's teeth. If there's no harm, I'm not going to break her of the habit. But, she gets the chapped thumb, especially in the winter. Our pediatrician told us to put a little Vaseline on it. That works and it won't hurt your son if he gets it in his mouth, although he may not want to suck his thumb if the Vaseline is on it. We just wiped it off before putting our daughter to bed. We use the Vaseline and the chapped thumb clears up in about 2 - 3 days. I hope this helps!
2007-01-18 15:21:24 · answer #1 · answered by niccichick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lanolin or vaseline.
If it is possibly infected you can use a small amount of polysporin, but try to wash it off before bed if that is when he generally sucks his thumb.
These are what nursing moms use on their nipples so they should be safe for his thumb ;)
(Also if it is really bad, and I know you are going to think I am nuts but see if you can find some finger cots(like condoms) small enough or even some spray on condom to protect it while it heals.)
2007-01-18 15:03:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son sucked his fingers untill he was 5 and I tried everything from bitter apple nail biting polish to hot sauce. I even put band-aids and tape on his fingers and he would suck them untill the taste was gone or work at the tape untill it was off. So good luck!
2007-01-18 15:03:05 · answer #3 · answered by Wendy S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to break your son of the thumbsucking habit. It will affect his teeth negatively if you don't - they'll end up buck teeth.
Use No Bite and paint his thumbnail with it. It'll taste bad and he'll stop biting his nails. It's clear and not shiny, so it won't show.
2007-01-18 15:21:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
:) I had forgotten that my last baby did this. The pediatrician recommended putting the other hand in his mouth. Most hand and finger sucking babies are good self soothers, but also are more fond of one hand over another. So try putting the other hand in. lol :)
2007-01-18 15:06:55 · answer #5 · answered by DT 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to your pharmasist he/she should have a ointment that tastes bitter, but won't hurt your child. Its not healthy for the child to suck on their thumb because it also causes the teeth to grow abnormally. If you can find something else the baby can do to find comfort like a blanket.
2007-01-18 15:05:49 · answer #6 · answered by Satanic Panic 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
try replacing the thumb with a pacifier, it worked for my son.
Good luck.
2007-01-18 15:12:32 · answer #7 · answered by ness 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He'll be fine and he will give it up when he's ready, right now to him it's his comfy zone.
2007-01-18 15:25:37 · answer #8 · answered by Granny 1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
like some bailey on it so he won't suck it it wil taste bitter.
2007-01-18 15:01:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋