Need help on how to stop a 3 year from sucking her thumb? I just need some ideas. Please!!?

Answer 1

You are better off to do nothing she will stop on her own.

http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&action=detail&ref=856
How old is too old?

According to the American Dental Association, thumb sucking does not cause permanent problems with the teeth or jaw line unless it is continued beyond 4 to 5 years of age. As it turns out, somewhere between 85% and 99% of children have finished thumb sucking spontaneously before this period.

Which children keep sucking their thumbs?

Many parents are concerned that thumb sucking at a late age is a sign of emotional immaturity or lack of self-confidence. When investigators have looked at late thumb suckers for common traits, they found only one thing in common that distinguished them from other children -- a prolonged history of a strong battle with thumb sucking at an earlier age. It is striking that many well-meaning parents have actually encouraged thumb sucking by trying to forcibly take the thumb out of their children's mouths.

Answer 2

There is literally nothing you can do. She has already learned the habit and its not like you can take her thumb away from her. With your next child, don't Ever let her suck her thumb! But as for this child, she just has to outgrow it. I sucked my thumb until I was 9 years old and my parents tried everything to get me to stop. I would even suck the hot pepper sauce off of it.

Answer 3

Ahhh, Tell her a little white lie ( If you keep sucking your thumb it may one day shrink 5 sizes and be smaller then your pinky!) then everytime she does that remind her that ti is going to shrink and take her thumb out if she doesn't. Then give her a point for everyday she sucks her thumb less or 5 points if she doesn't suck her thumb at all. At the end of the week she can redeem her points for a treat ( Thats up to you to use that reward system, you can make up your own.)

If that deosn't work, in the morning when your wash her hands after breakfeast out some vanilla extract on it (Lemon,lime,anything sour or really sweet will do) and eveytime she tries to suck she will get a bad taste. Reapply this a few times a day just incase it wears off!.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

she sucks her thumb because it sooths and relaxes her...she is only 3..she does not know how, we as adults can do that yet.

You may find at times that are more anxious for her..she will suck her thumb..or before bed..or when concentrating..lots of reasons..but..her thumb sucking is comforting to her..why take that away?..She will eventually grow out of it when she is able to cope and verbalize her needs better.

Don't worry about the dental bills!!!..she is only on her first set of teeth...lol..she has another set to come in...And btw..no..it won't harm her teeth..mouth..social skills..etc.

Answer 5

dip her thumb in something that tastes nasty like vinegar or hot sauce. We had the same problem and that broke them of it. Also as far as growing out of it somepeople dont. I have a 21 yr old sister in law that sucks her thumb it looks ridiculus. Also long time thumbsucking can change the shape of your mouth and also ruin your teeth. You know how the doctors says not to give a baby a bottle and let them lay down and go to sleep because milk will pool in the mouth and soften their teeth. Well thumbsucking cause saliva to pool in the mouth when asleep too. Good luck to you,

Answer 6

i told someone else to do this who asked the same question and she said that she thinks its working.. so here:

tell her your going to paint her nails..any little girl loves to have painted nails.
rub nail polish on all of his fingers before you paint them...then paint them.
when she goes to put he thumb in her mouth it will taste horrible. and if she tries to go for other fingers then they will all taste bad too.
the taste (as well as strong scent that she wont like near her face) lasts for a while. if it wears off and she notices and starts sucking her thumb again then rub more on the bottom of her thumb..like on her skin instead of her nail so the polish doesnt come off.
i did this to get myself to stop biting my nails lol.

good luck!

Answer 7

my sister used to suck her thumb until like 15, put eveything we could imagine on it. green pepper did the trick. point is dont let her keep doing it. All these people who keep saying let her grow out of it and all that is crap. Unless you would like a very large ortho bill when she gets older. when she puts that constant preasure on her teeth (even baby teeth) it will cause them to grow in straight out (so her lip will stick out). i am a dental assistant for 5 years and i have seen this plenty of times. if you dont want to try just anything talk to your dentist.

my girlfriend's son does it and he 3, when i am around i just tell him that only babies suck their thumb and he normally takes it right out.

Answer 8

Why? You don't need to stop a three year old from sucking her thumb do you?

Give her something else to comfort herself with, such as a soft toy to hug.

Don't nag her. Give her more time to outgrow it. Most kids will give it up by the time they are in first grade.

Answer 9

well....... where i come form (guyana south america)............. we put bitters( a kind of herb.. i dont' know the correct name for it) on the thumb........... so when the 3 yr-old sucks it it wont' taste nice at alll............... but i guess u can put sum kind of non toxic nail polish that tastes awful.......... ask ur pediatrition or pharmasist... hope i was sum help

Answer 10

put that stuff on her thumb nail for kids to stop biting there nails it tastes gross so she wont want to put her thumb in her mouth its not dangerous cause its used with the intention of stoping nail biting