How do you get a kid to stop sucking his thumb?

Question

I just cant seem to get this kid that i watch to stop sucking his thumb me and the parents have tried everything do you guys have any advice?

he's ten year old

Answer 1

chop it off

Answer 2

there is a special nail polish for boys or girls since it is clear, and when you paint it on, it tastes sour or bitter very badly. When he sucks his thumb, it is subcosniously, so he doen't know it is happening, but the taste will break the trance, and he will pull his thumb out. Even in the rare occaision when he can stand the taste, he'll know he is doing it and will stop. But the problem is the taste wears off, so you have to put on a fresh coat every couple days. I used it for nail bitin and i only had to use it for about a month and a half, and i dont bite my nails anymore (i am 13). So you should try that. I got it at longs, but im sure you can find it at walmart or kmart or other kinds of marts too.

Oh yeah and by the way at 10 years old for boys, jaw bones are still soft so easily it could build up to shifting teeth around and you'll have to get thousand dollar braces (insurance doesn't cover braces because it isn't health threataning)

Answer 3

Ok,,, you wont read this, because theres like 40 posts before mine, but Ill say it anyway, (might be a good thing no one else will read it lol!!)

I suck my thumb. Im 30 this year, and Ive tried EVERYTHING possible to stop, but nothing has worked.

I grew up in foster homes, so I was shy, and that didnt help the fact that all my fosterparents thought It was horrid I still sucked my thumb, and I even got hit for it on many occasions, I got teased by teachers, and other kids.

Infact all that made it worse, as it made me more shy and well... I sucked my thumb more.

At the moment as an adult I only seem to suck my thumb when Im tired or upset. though there are a few times I catch myself doing it when I dont even realise it.

For the record, Im not bucked toothed, Never had braces (or needed them) the only real obvious problem from sucking my thumb is the fact my left thumb is smaller than my right thumb. (which may I add that NO ONE has ever noticed!!)

I do know and have met a few men who used to suck their thumb as children (Im female) and they said the teasing was so bad that they would get beaten up by other children. which is just so sad.

I would try to find something else to get his mind off it as it is a comfort thing, and chances are hes shy. However hes 10 now,. hes getting older, and chances are he wouldve stopped by now if he was going to.

Im sorry Im no help.

As ironic as it sounds, I think laying off him might work a lot, and one thing I found did help a little was people reminding me when I do suck it, as sometimes I dont even know I do it. I dont do it in public at all now (that I know of!!) If he is wanting to stop then putting something on his thumb like a sticky plaster might help as it will remind him that he is sucking his thumb, I did try this myself on THOUSANDS of occasions however and well, obviously as soon as the sticky plaster is off, Im back to doing it again.

Goodluck

Answer 4

I think thumb-stucking is fine in very young children. I assume that he is getting a bit too old for this now though. Maybe about five or six?
Simple hypnosis can work from a professonal. GPs sometimes have basic skills in hypnosis. Also try and get someone he respects such as a grandparent or family friend to say something like, "Yes, boys in Year X [at school] suck their thumbs but boys in Year Z don't because they're big."
When he starts Year Z in September, you will find that the thumb sucking diminishes or simply stops altogether.

Answer 5

Stuff used in olden times was bitter aloes. which you got from the chemist . Sucking your thumb show insecurity Is there any thing bothering him maybe it was his comforter when he was a baby and the habit has stuck why no talk to him tell him how babyish it is and point out that the sucked thumb often is smaller than the other thumb and looks odd .

Answer 6

OK, its a comfort thing. I sucked my thumb till I was about 12/13. It's very difficult to stop, but when he realises that when he's out at sleepovers and stuff, he won't want to be seen sucking his thumb, so he'll try to ween himself off it. It will take time, but he'll do it when he's ready.

Tip to all parents, when you see your child is sucking a thumb, stop them and replace with a dummy. This in turn will teach the child not to suck its thumb, and when the time has come the dummy is taken away. Should they try to still suck the thumb, just simply say, 'Do I have to replace that with a dummy for you?' They will soon stop doing it, if not at first eventually. As they get older they don't want to be seen sucking a thumb or dummy!


Finally kicked the habbit after I started secondary school! (blush) But its a darn hard habbit to stop! Prevent it happening to your child whilst you can.

Answer 7

My son stopped himself when he was 8. How old is the child? It is a comfort thing. Would you take their teddies away? I'd just leave them to stop on their own. Afterall, how many adults can you think of that suck their thumb?

Answer 8

most kids find comfort in sucking there thumbs, try the book the little bear who sucked his thumb, that can be read to children who suck there fingers or thumb, that might help as you cant put pressure him or he will keep on doing it, you will find the book on the internet.

Answer 9

I say wait it out. My sister sucked her thumb until she was 14 but eventually she stopped.

Answer 10

Good question. You don't say what age this child is. Also a Kid might be a goat, but never saw a goat with fingers .
If the child is say 4 or older, I suggest a trip to the drugstore. They have a spray and brush on material, just for that purpose.

Answer 11

I cant remember if I have ever did but it's natural. I have seen babies suck their toes but i'm not certain when they start to suck their fingers or thumbs. I dont think it's worth worrying about just as long as their hands are clean.