thumbsucking issue

My3LilMonkeys wrote: Madison has always been a thumbsucker. Since she was one or so it's really only been when she's tired so I never worried about it. But recently because of the weather we're having or something, her thumb is getting red and dry and the skin is starting to crack. We're putting lotion on it to help clear it up, but I'm thinking it's about time to work on stopping the habit. Anyone who has BTDT have any suggestions to share on what works??

mckayleesmom replied: No sorry....I didn't have thumbsuckers....and they refused pacifiers too.

Have you tried painting her nails pretty and telling her that if she wants them to stay pretty they can't be sucked on??

Might work.

lovemy2 replied: Wish I knew the answer to that one - Olivia's thimb has a permanent callus where her teeth rest on it and its also FLAT

5littleladies replied: My 9 year old sucked her thumb until she was 7-as a result she already has braces to correct a serious open bite. What worked for her I won't suggest (she broke her arm ), but with my other girls I tried a variety of things. Bribing worked well with Brianna-I told her if she stopped for a week we would go to Target and she could pick out a toy. Bandaids wrapped around the offending appendage (lol) work well-that's how I stopped Megan. You can try putting something that tastes nasty on her thumb-vanilla sometimes works, or painting her fingernails-lots of kids don't like the taste. And of course the good old fashioned reminding them to stop works for some. Nor for me though!

My3LilMonkeys replied: Thanks for the ideas ladies! Fingernail polish doesn't work - she scrapes it all off in no time. Bandaids she rips off.

I talked to her about it last night and she said she only sucks it when she's tired - so I told her that if she sucked her thumb during the day, then I would give her a nap because she must be tired. We'll see if that works.

Our Lil' Family replied: I don't know how but Thomas just stopped sucking his thumb. And actually I didn't realize it until I read this post. We've been super busy lately and on the go so he didn't have time to and I didn't notice. I don't think he's done it in the past 2 weeks. Sorry, that doesn't help you I know but I'm just kinda shocked that he stopped on his own.

A&A'smommy replied: I didn't have a thumbsucker but I heard that germx works well for that

austins mom replied: I was an extreme thumbsucker when I was little. My parents tried everything. And honestly nothing worked. Finally the dentist put what they called a bird cage in the roof of my mouth which stopped me. And then right after that I had to have braces to straighten out my teeth due sucking my thumb. My parents tried all kinds of things though the whole sock on the hand, tape on the hand hot sauce everything. Nothing worked I would just either take it off or wash my hand when they werent looking. Good luck with it. As for the dry skin try some baby oil or lotion maybe?

moped replied: I have a future thumbsucker on my hands.......hope it doesn't become an issue

coasterqueen replied: Megan is a thumb sucker. I don't know if it's because of that or what, but she does have forward tonge thrust movement, a forward bite, and a frontal lisp. She's going to need braces, too, it's apparent. I am trying to curb her of the thumb sucking now because of the other issues that are affecting her speech. I hate to do it, because she's potty training now, as well, but we'll see. Dh took Megan to her 3 year visit this morning and the doc hounded him for her still sucking her thumb. Dh told him he'll force her to stop, but he's sending her to the doc's house every time she throws a fit or can't sleep. Anyways, my whole point of my rambling is the doc suggested something like a leather glove that fits over the thumb. He said they are sold in stores specially to help thumb suckers stop sucking. I will check it out as soon as I can. Right now I'm trying good ole fashion reasoning with her. I've explained to her that her thumbsucking has caused teeth issues as well as speech issues and we/doc thinks that she really needs to stop sucking in order to correct all this. This has only been going on for two days and she tries. Some times I rock her and hold her hand so she can't suck it and just talk or sing to her to get her to concentrate on something else.

mckayleesmom replied: They do have this stuff for nail biters....I think its called Bitter Nails.....It tastes horrible if you stick your fingers in your mouth....You can always try that.

Crystalina replied:
No thumsuckers or paci lovers in this house.

That reminds me of Bitter Apple I use to stop my dogs from chewing on cords. They can't stand it.

When I was younger my mom would use tobasco sauce, spray on deodorant (that was just nasty!) and a few other things I'm sure you shouldn't put on a kids' thumbs. It worked though.