Our DD (2) won't stop sucking her thumb at night time. My partner & I understand it is a comfort thing but we are trying to make her stop as she has already developed a lisp as a result of her thumb sucking, & we don't want to fork out thousands for braces in years to come because she's caused herself to need them. I know some will say it doesn't affect a child that young long term but we've found out it does & already has begun to, hence her lisp. We've tried the no nail biting stuff from the chemist with the bitter taste but she didn't care. What else can we try or put on her thumb to disencourage this horrible habit?
5 Replies
My son currently has a lisp I was told by a qualified speech therapist that a lot of children develop a lisp between 2 and 3 due to them not being old enough to pronounce the sounds properly and it's fine providing they correct themselves / grow out of it by the age of 4 to 5 then they don't need any treatment. Also in regards to thumb sucking I was a thumb sucker and didn't stop till I was ten my teeth are terribly messed up from it I would recommend trying to teacher her to be comforted by a teddy or blanket and get her out of the habit ASAP, my parents tried taping my thumb, nail polish, no bite ( bitter nail polish)
Also reposted on the facebook site and hope it helps! x
https://www.facebook.com/Theimperfectmum/posts/652051308194836?stream_re...
I sucked my thumb until I was 13. My parents tried everything but ultimately it had to be my decision. It was when I joined guides and knew I'd be going on camps that I gave up, not wanting people to know I sucked my thumb. My teeth have turned out perfectly without a flatten roof of mouth or buck teeth, contrary to what the dentist told me. It's not an answer, I know and I'm sorry.....
Personally I would just let it go. I don't think that thumb sucking would cause a lisp and as long as it's just at bed time it won't do her any harm. My 2 year old daughter sucks on her two middle fingers to get herself to sleep and she is the best sleeper because of it. Don't take away her comfort, she may need braces regardless of whether she sucks her thumb.
I had the same problem with my daughter, we had tried everything. She was older than your daughter, but in her sleep she would still always suck her thumb. We stopped the habit very quickly using a special mitten from BEDTIME BUDDY MITTENS. Although your daughter is only young she could also benefit. My daughter was 5 when she had it, she loved using it, they are in fun animal designs, easy to use and they work. They are also very affordable. Visit www.bedtimebuddymittens.com.au.