Thumb-Suckers

[tarynsmum]

This might sound weird, but DD started sucking her thumb today. For the first time ever. When she woke up this morning, she was sucking her thumb, while I got her dressed, and just now, as i put her down for her nap, she sucked her thumb to sleep. I was under the impression that thumb-sucking started earlier than this (like newborns?). I don't have a huge problem with it or anything, it just seems weird to me. Does anyone have a DC who started sucking his/her thumb later on?

BTW, she never took to a binky either. In fact, her "soothie" was/is the pinky finger on my left hand. Sh usually sucks that to sleep while I rock her, but today it was her thumb... I kind of feel left out. It's kind of cute to watch though, honestly.

[tarynsmum]

This might sound weird, but DD started sucking her thumb today. For the first time ever. When she woke up this morning, she was sucking her thumb, while I got her dressed, and just now, as i put her down for her nap, she sucked her thumb to sleep. I was under the impression that thumb-sucking started earlier than this (like newborns?). I don't have a huge problem with it or anything, it just seems weird to me. Does anyone have a DC who started sucking his/her thumb later on?

BTW, she never took to a binky either. In fact, her "soothie" was/is the pinky finger on my left hand. Sh usually sucks that to sleep while I rock her, but today it was her thumb... I kind of feel left out. It's kind of cute to watch though, honestly.

[egoldber]

My DD discovered her thumb later too. I can't remember exactly, but I know it was 6+ months. Honestly, I kind of like having a thumb sucker. It makes sleep sooooo much easier.

[egoldber]

My DD discovered her thumb later too. I can't remember exactly, but I know it was 6+ months. Honestly, I kind of like having a thumb sucker. It makes sleep sooooo much easier.

[AngelaS]

My first didn't start sucking her thumb until about 5.5 months and her little sister was about 3 months. My third got attached to a binky at 7 months. :D So...I think it varies. :D

[AngelaS]

My first didn't start sucking her thumb until about 5.5 months and her little sister was about 3 months. My third got attached to a binky at 7 months. :D So...I think it varies. :D

[trumansmom]

Beth, I agree having a thumbsucker is a good thing, but did Sarah quit? If so, at what age? It's driving DH nuts and Eleanor shows no signs of giving it up. She only does it when she's sleepy or stressed, so I'm not worried about it. I just was wondering when I can hope to have DH stop making a fuss about it!

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04

[trumansmom]

Beth, I agree having a thumbsucker is a good thing, but did Sarah quit? If so, at what age? It's driving DH nuts and Eleanor shows no signs of giving it up. She only does it when she's sleepy or stressed, so I'm not worried about it. I just was wondering when I can hope to have DH stop making a fuss about it!

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04

[egoldber]

She still sucks her thumb to go to sleep and when she is very tired. But she doesn't suck it while she sleeps, just to go to sleep, and very seldom otherwise. I'm not worried about it and I figure she'll stop when she's ready.

Everything I have read says that making a fuss about it generally only makes the child more anxious and more likely to continue sucking their thumb and may even make them suck even more.

[egoldber]

She still sucks her thumb to go to sleep and when she is very tired. But she doesn't suck it while she sleeps, just to go to sleep, and very seldom otherwise. I'm not worried about it and I figure she'll stop when she's ready.

Everything I have read says that making a fuss about it generally only makes the child more anxious and more likely to continue sucking their thumb and may even make them suck even more.

[Wife_and_mommy]

DD started after the 7-month mark.


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[Wife_and_mommy]

DD started after the 7-month mark.


http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

[miki]

Mine started at around 5 months and still sucks thumb and forefinger together when she goes to sleep or is very stressed (like during 12 hour car ride!).

I asked about this when we went to the pediatric dentist. She said most kids will just stop on their own. She also said if a child continues to suck thumb or fingers to an age where it would interfere with the adult teeth growing in, the child is usually old enough to think it is a babyish habit and is agreeable to trying to stop. At that point there are various methods you can help your kid with trying.

[miki]

Mine started at around 5 months and still sucks thumb and forefinger together when she goes to sleep or is very stressed (like during 12 hour car ride!).

I asked about this when we went to the pediatric dentist. She said most kids will just stop on their own. She also said if a child continues to suck thumb or fingers to an age where it would interfere with the adult teeth growing in, the child is usually old enough to think it is a babyish habit and is agreeable to trying to stop. At that point there are various methods you can help your kid with trying.

[emilyf]

We're working on getting ds to suck his less-a bandaid on the thumb seems to work pretty well. He kind of wants to stop (or at least do it less) so it works as a reminder to him. He is/was a pretty frequent thumbsucker, and it's starting to affect his teeth so we'd like him to stop. Frustrating, but we're trying not to make it a big deal.
Emily mom of Charlie born 11/02 and Zoe born 9/05

[emilyf]

We're working on getting ds to suck his less-a bandaid on the thumb seems to work pretty well. He kind of wants to stop (or at least do it less) so it works as a reminder to him. He is/was a pretty frequent thumbsucker, and it's starting to affect his teeth so we'd like him to stop. Frustrating, but we're trying not to make it a big deal.
Emily mom of Charlie born 11/02 and Zoe born 9/05

[maestramommy]

Dora did some thumb sucking around 6 months old, somtimes I would find her asleep with her thumb in her mouth, but for the most part she was chewing on it with the part where her molars will be so I think it was teething as well. She hasn't done it in a while. She never used a binkie more than 2 months, and it was always intiated by us.

[sidmand]

DS didn't start sucking his thumb regularly until a bit later too--maybe six or seven months. I think it's cute. He only does it when he's tired and ready to go to bed. I used to suck my thumb when I was sleeping and reading in bed. I did suck mine way too long so I do have fears of that, but so far I like that he can soothe himself to sleep with it. He usually only uses it when he's falling asleep and once he's asleep he doesn't.

FWIW, I sucked mine until (blush) I was 12. At that point the orthodontist told me I'd be wearing my braces forever unless I stopped. The only reason I even needed braces was because I had pushed my front teeth out from thumb sucking! To this day I sleep with my hand under my pillow (the way I stopped). My parents had tried everything--yucky tasting stuff on my thumb, pulling my thumb out once I fell asleep--apparently the suction was too great! I don't think they started trying that until I was old enough to be stopping and I don't know why I didn't give it up in a "reasonable" amount of time. But I never did it in public once I was old enough to know better. Not sure what I did at sleepovers though.

Debbie
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[ribbit1019]

My mom said my sis started around 6-7 months. She didn't stop until she was 13 and got braces, her mouth was a mess. So I encourage you to make sure they stop before those adult teeth come in! I admit to being a paci pusher because of my sis's pain.

Christy
My Waterbabies
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[pb&j]

DS discovered his thumb around 3-4 months. He never would take a paci, so it was a relief - bedtime became much easier overnight.


-Ry,
mom to Emma, stillborn 11/04/04
and Max, 01/05/06

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[egoldber]

But you know what, I never sucked my thumb and I had braces for years as a teen. So there are never any guarantees.

[ribbit1019]

I never sucked my thumb and also had to have braces.

However, my sister also had to have a palate widening device that she had to crank nightly. It was very painful for her and the orthodontist said that her palate issues were soley because she sucked her thumb so long. My sis was in so much pain that it made the whole house upset. ;(

They made me promise not to let any of my kids suck their thumb. While I know ultimately it is up to the child if they take a binky or their thumb I try encourage the pacifier. It seems easier to me to try and avoid now rather than later when I won't be watching them every second of the day.

Plus, I would be the lucky one to have a child that sucked her thumb when she was stressed and sleepy until she was in her teens. ;)

Christy
My Waterbabies
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[stillplayswithbarbies]

I never sucked my thumb and I had to have that palatal expander thing too. A narrow palate is genetic, I don't see how sucking a thumb could cause your top jow to be too narrow?

Logan sucks her thumb. It's been wonderful that she can soothe herself to sleep. She started when she was a baby, I don't recall when but it was before 6 months I think.

She is three and a half now and does it when she is tired or bored. I'm not concerned about it, she'll stop when she is ready. The dentist said it's not a concern until she gets permanent teeth and most kids stop by then.

[pb&j]

I never sucked my thumb or a binky, and I had to do that palate-expander thing. Go figure.


-Ry,
mom to Emma, stillborn 11/04/04
and Max, 01/05/06

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