Hi mummies,
I need help with getting my 7 year old to stop sucking his thumb. I've tried gloves at night time, taping his forefinger and thumb together with bandaids, that gross bitter spray from the chemist.... Nothing has worked. Anything out there that can help him kick this habit for good?
I would also like to add, he doesn't seem to do it at school, so he obviously has some control or awareness about it on some level, just the moment he's in the car, and at home his thumb is stuck in his mouth 😧
6 Replies
He will grow out of it. My 12yr old daughter still does it sometimes and from experience nothing will stop it, she definitely has some level of control over it but it's still a subconscious habit
How many adults do you see sucking their thumb? I sucked mine till the day I got married (19). When I was older mostly in my bed/room or watching TV. He'll grow out of it. Just ignore it.
Your child really needs to want to stop but things you can try are taping cut ice-cream stick to whichever finger they suck. You need the stick to protrude a little past the end of their finger/thumb. This prevents them from getting the suction if they put it in their mouth. You can also try putting tape on either side of the elbow so that it pulls when they bend their elbow to put their finger/thumb in their mouth. This one is more of a reminder not to suck. I work in the dental industry.
I wish I knew. My husband still sucks his thumb and it drives me absolutely insane!
I wish I knew. My husband still sucks his thumb and it drives me absolutely insane!
Ex thumb sucker here I stopped when i was 13. I put my thumb under my pillow at night when in bed before I knew it I had given it up for good. I'm now in my 30's & haven't looked back.
Please be patient with your child it's their security