My son is over 2 years old, and cannot stop sucking his thumb. He's been doing it since he was an infant, but now I'm scared that this bad habit will damage his teeth.
He seems to need it especially before falling asleep, or when he's tired...does anybody have any good advice to help? Thanks!
2007-03-05 16:39:46 · 13 answers · asked by Bonjour! 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I have a 2 1/2 yr old boy who also sucks his thumb. There was a short period that my ex and myself worked on trying to get him to stop, but we finally realized that it was putting him through unnecessary stress. Its provides security, and although it might cause a limited amount of dental problems, it just doesn't seem like the emotional stress he was having by not being allowed to go to his thumb was worth it. Its not like they are getting their permanent teeth already. I think the emotional stress is more damaging than what they are doing to their baby teeth they will lose anyways. When he is fully pody trained, I think we will work on it again. Its just an awful lot to ask of someone to give up that security, when he doesn't understand. Its not like your boy knows your trying to prevent damage to his baby teeth. He just thinks your trying to take away something really important to him. Let your boy be a 2 yr old. Take up this thumb thing later.
2007-03-05 16:58:01 · answer #1 · answered by ckgene 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
He's fine. Once he is around other kids (older would be good) he will be embarrassed and stop. For now, let him use it as a comfort, especially when sleepy.
You can buy stuff to put on his thumb in the baby isle, but many kids just suck it off.
2007-03-05 18:11:46 · answer #2 · answered by sushishishi 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My daughter sucks her fingers and she's three years old. We've tried everything; nothing works. I think it's just a matter of time. Kids stop bad habits when they're ready to. Your son's only two. That's almost still a baby. Don't worry. It will stop.
2007-03-05 16:53:44 · answer #3 · answered by Mandy-Jane 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You can't make him stop but you can try. I used to suck my thumb and I only stopped at a very late age and it was really hard. Though I still feel you can't make him stop but just for his sake try every advise you can get.
2007-03-05 16:54:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son's dentist said that it will not damage his permanent teeth. You just have to get him to stop before his big teeth grow in. I have tried putting things on his thumb, it just won't work. Someone told me jalapeno juice... my son now likes jalapeno juice on his burritos. When you take him to his first dental appointment, talk to the dentist. They might have a few tricks.
2007-03-05 16:45:07 · answer #5 · answered by lilly j 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
it's not that he CAN'T stop, it's that he WON'T. there's a world of difference between those two.
oh, and it will damage his teeth. what have you tried in order to get him to stop? bitter tastes on his thumb seems to work well for some kids.
2007-03-05 16:48:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well I have a great Idea.Get some real Hot sauce put his thumb in it.When he does it.You know want will happen.
2007-03-05 16:46:12 · answer #7 · answered by reapper55 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
DEAR
PLEASE YOU
JUST LET THE KID BE A KID OK HE IS NOT HURTING YOU ARE ANY ONE ARE ANY THING UNTIL HE DOES THEN SAY SOMETHING FOR NOW JUST LET IT GO OK. ALL PEOPLE SUCK THERE THUMBS OK
TAKE CARE
2007-03-05 19:10:50 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, call me cruel, but tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper will do the trick.
2007-03-05 16:44:00 · answer #9 · answered by Curious_Yank_back_in_South_Korea 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
leave him alone and don't make it an issue. some children are more "oral" than others.
2007-03-05 17:02:10 · answer #10 · answered by KitKat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋