Thumb sucking

[frizzytwig]

My 3 1/2 year old has sucked her thumb since birth, the denist has told me she must stop now so her new teeth come thru straight. Any ideas on how I can get her to stop? Stop n Grow from Boots says not recommended for under 5s! Help

[dorisday]

My two older sisters sucked their thumbs for years, well into their teens. As far as I know they never had any trouble with their teeth. I never sucked my thumb but I did twiddle my hair. Not really any help to you, but just a comment.

[Doolallygirl]

My sister sucked her thumb til she was about 20! Her thumb is now bent like a banana and her teeth aren't too bad considering. I sucked my thumb when I was little til I was about 14 or so and I needed a brace. Try offering a teddy bear or a video or something nice as long as she doesn't do it. Tell her only babies suck their thumbs. I wouldn't worry too much if she finds it hard at the moment, but try to stop her when she starts primary school when she will understand a bit better.

[smudge]

My sister discreetly sucked her thumb until the age of 21 years of age. She is now 54 & has the most beautiful, even white teeth & yes, they are all her own!

[frizzytwig]

I know a few people with straight teeth even thought they sucked there thumbs but the trouble is my daughter is already showing signs of bucked toothness throught her baby teeth so I am worried. I have tried encouraging her with bribes etc also that only babies suck there thumb but she seems to suck it most whne she is tired or in bed so its hard for me to control

[undercovers]

its a horrible habit and i'm disgusted by the lot of you that were muching away on your most useful digit into your 20s thats just grossly wrong. Did you never read this peom when you were little http://www.fln.vcu.edu//struwwel/daumen_e.html

[Doolallygirl]

Try putting gloves on her when she is in bed. She will soon get out of the habit through the grossness of sucking wool! I don't know how you would keep them on her during the night though....any suggestions?

[Curious79]

I am 25 and still suck my thimb. My Mum tried everything to get me to stop and nothing worked. The dentist also said that I would have bad teeth but mine are fine. I don't suck my thumb too much now but find myself doing it when I am extremely tired or sad. I think it is definately a comfort thing. And even though I fall asleep sucking my thumb sometimes, I don't suck it all through the night so may be you could start but just allowing her to suck her thumb at bed time to fall asleep. At least this is better than all through the day and eventually she may stop all together. Sorry to sound negative but I really don't think there is anything that you can do to make her stop until she wants to.

[vittoria]

My feeling is that you cannot be sure that the fact that your daughter sucks her thumb is the cause of her new teeth coming through bucked. Old fashioned nannies used to put some horrible tasting stuff on the fingers to stop the children sucking; but I think (mind you I am not holding myself out to be an expert - it is only a reply I am giving) that so many people who sucked their thumbs and yet did not have bucked teeth suggest that the sucking is not the cause.

[undercovers]

doesn't the hygiene aspect really bother you old aged babies - yuk, I have such a problem with this!!! it is the grosses thing - worse than nose picking GRIM GRIM GRIM i think i might have a phobia, just thinking about all the spit and filth - i think i'll go and have a lie down

[Dunner]

I sucked my index finger for years and tried many ways to stop. Tabasco sauce on the thumb worked for a bit. I simply needed my parents to keep "catching" me in the act and telling me to stop. At night time I had to sleep with my hands under my stomach.