I sucked my thumb as a child and found it to be very comforting in stressful times and when I was going to sleep. There are so many parents out there that don't think you should let your children suck their thumbs or pacifiers. I am just wondering if I should encourage my children if they like to suck their thumb.
2007-12-06 04:49:36 · 10 answers · asked by RNK 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
It can be very soothing and is no problem for young children and babies and actually the thumb or pacifier helps reduce the risk of SIDS in babies through 12 months old.
After age 4 or 5 it's starts to become a concern with their teeth. A pacifier is more recommended over the thumb b/c the thumb becomes more of a habit. But if my child wanted to suck either one I wouldn't have a probalem with it for a while and would try to distract them from it during the day. It's best to be able to find something else that will sooth and comfort the child,
I wouldn't encourage it or discourage it.
2007-12-06 06:38:53 · answer #1 · answered by Emily 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I sucked my thumb as a child for the same reason you did, but was constantly yelled at for doing so. I had to wear gloves, socks, put special stuff on my thumb that tasted nasty etc. I stopped and started again on and off, but finally stopped for good at a much later age than most children. Because of that, my thumb is sort of disfigured. (more rounded, shorter and the nail is much shorter)
Thumb sucking really shouldn't be "encouraged" because it can lead to problems with speech, teeth and have the thumb be disfigured etc, but I don't think the child should be screamed and yelled at for doing so unless they're of an older age.. It's natural. I remember one kid in my 1st grade class (I'm a teacher) 4-5yrs ago who had a medal thing with spiked edges put on the roof of his mouth so he wouldn't suck his thumb!
They'll most likely stop on their own. If not, there will come a time when they'll need to stop. When I got braces put on (thumb sucking was not the reason why I got them on), I remember being told by the othadontist that if I continued to suck my thumb, the braces would be on longer. Who wants that?
Then again, there are adults who still suck their thumbs for comfort in private. Quite honestly...who cares? If you have a retainer, your teeth don't move. No one sees.
I have 4 children and my middle son, who is now 7.5yrs, and my 4m old daughter, suck their thumbs. My son recently stopped because he saw the baby do it. Otherwise, I'm sure he's still be doing it. He never seemed to notice he was, much like I didn't as a kid. He'd end up doing it while watching TV or reading etc. I'd make him aware of it by saying, "Steven...thumb." and he'd realize what he was doing and take it out. Some kids just don't notice and if that's the case, they should be encouraged not to.
Best Wishes =]
2007-12-06 07:42:56 · answer #2 · answered by Sam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of my kids have sucked their thumb. Three for a limited amount of time and my 5 year old still sucks her thumb when shes sleepy. I see it this way, you can lose a pacifier, you always know where the thumb is. Unless they are sucking so much that it might bring on dental issues then I say go for it. My kids teeth are just fine. Good luck :)
2007-12-06 05:09:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! This from a mom who had a daughter who sucked her thumb until she was 12. Her teeth were terrible! She pulled her front teeth out so far she looked ridiculous. We tried everything to get her to stop. We finally took her to the orthodontist to have an appliance put in that wouldn't allow her thumb to go in her mouth to do further damage. She ended up having braces, wouldn't have needed them if she hadn't sucked her thumb. I tried to get to take a pacifier when she was an infant, she literally spit it across the room! She'd only take her thumb. When I say we tried everything, I mean everything! Socks on her hands at night, that thumb yucky stuff, tobasco sauce, vinegar, rewards.... I wish I'd never let her suck her thumb. When my second was born no thumb and she did try. But we were persistent enough that she never even took a pacifier. She went from breast to cup-not even a bottle with her. So far her teeth look great!
2007-12-06 07:13:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Breaking a thumb habit is lots much less complicated than breaking a pacifier habit. Thumb sucking would not reason any issues till after the age of four. Pacifier reason ear infections and another issues, and a few toddlers do exactly unlike them. My daughter is a thumb sucker, and that i'm happy.
2016-10-19 10:04:54 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the baby wants to suck its thumb I would let him.
2007-12-06 07:09:25 · answer #6 · answered by kim h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pacifiers are one thing, thumbs are another. I sucked on a pacifier in high school. I had to sneak around to make sure my parents didn't catch me. But thumbs, on the other hand... they're dirty! Do you really want your child touching that door handle and then sticking his thumb in his mouth? May as well lick the toilet seat!
2007-12-06 04:55:38 · answer #7 · answered by Keith K 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Thumb sucking is very natural. Babies even do it in the womb.
2007-12-06 04:53:56 · answer #8 · answered by Mikey's Mommy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Thumb, yes.
Pacifier, no.
2007-12-06 05:17:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ofcourse..that is more natural than a binky:)
2007-12-06 04:54:38 · answer #10 · answered by jennifer_nh72 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋