Stopping thumb sucking ???

hewinked

DD is a thumb sucker, and at this age, it doesn't bother me at all that she does it.  I sucked my thumb until an embarrassingly older age, so I hope she doesn't get to that point, but right now, I don't care that she does. 

I started noticing over the last few months that she was getting little blisters from sucking.  More just like skin peeling off.  This past week, the whole tip of her thumb broke out in these blisters; it almost looked like burn blisters.  That skin has since peeled away, and now she is left with the whole tip of her thumb discolored.  Looks kinda like a blood blister.  It's really gross!  I don't know what she is doing to her thumb!  I never had that when I sucked my thumb as a kid. 

Me and DH are thinking that it's to the point that we need to break this habit, but how on earth do you do that with a 21-month-old?!  When I was an older child, I continued the habit because it was like a reflex.  I wouldn't purposely put my thumb in my mouth, but would wake up with it there.  So if DD does that also, I don't know how I can break this, especially at night when I'm not around her.  Should I let it go?  Or any suggestions?  TIA!

mommy411

Yikes! Compare her thumbs also. One can get flatter than the other. As a hygienist I rec younger kids to use a brace over the thumb or a sock. The sock usually comes off

GL

CeltiCutie

Can you possibly put Lansinoh or something on the thumb to protect it and help it heal but not harm your daughter? 

As for stopping, I dunno if it's possible this young...  plus it is a soothing mechanism so I don't know if you really want to yet.

As for the blisters maybe her thumb is rubbing teeth? My DD is a thumb sucker but we've never had blisters yet...  

hewinked

I remember some peeling skin when I sucked, but nothing like DD has.  I do need to put something on it....I don't know why I didn't think of that!  It is also flatter than the other, something I've also noticed recently.  DH suggested a band aid over it, but I think she will pull it off.  Or geez, what if she didn't and it came off in her mouth, scary!  Yeah, I do believe she does it for soothing, so it's hard to say I want her to stop.  Her poor little thumb is just a mess!

hewinked

Here's a pic from a couple days ago, if anyone is interested.  That gross skin is now gone, and she is left with her thumb all red in its place. 

CeltiCutie

hewinked:

Here's a pic from a couple days ago, if anyone is interested.  That gross skin is now gone, and she is left with her thumb all red in its place. 

 

*gasp* OH POOR BABY!!! You think she'd stop sucking it just cuz it hurts. Ouch! Ya maybe wrap that one up w/ an ace bandage or something to give it a break?!  

hewinked

CeltiCutie:

hewinked:

Here's a pic from a couple days ago, if anyone is interested.  That gross skin is now gone, and she is left with her thumb all red in its place. 

 

*gasp* OH POOR BABY!!! You think she'd stop sucking it just cuz it hurts. Ouch! Ya maybe wrap that one up w/ an ace bandage or something to give it a break?!  

I know, isn't it awful!  What is she doing to it?  I don't even know if it hurts her cuz when I look at it or touch, she doesn't have any reaction.  She's only started pointing it out and saying "yuck" after we have said it.  But good gravy, how could it NOT hurt?!

CeltiCutie

hewinked:

CeltiCutie:

hewinked:

Here's a pic from a couple days ago, if anyone is interested.  That gross skin is now gone, and she is left with her thumb all red in its place. 

 

*gasp* OH POOR BABY!!! You think she'd stop sucking it just cuz it hurts. Ouch! Ya maybe wrap that one up w/ an ace bandage or something to give it a break?!  

I know, isn't it awful!  What is she doing to it?  I don't even know if it hurts her cuz when I look at it or touch, she doesn't have any reaction.  She's only started pointing it out and saying "yuck" after we have said it.  But good gravy, how could it NOT hurt?!

 

Seriously! Dang. I just noticed today that DD had like little hickies on her inner thumb and was pulling it away from her. I'm glad cuz goodness I don't want it to get to that! crazy kids! I do not know how that is in any way soothing! LOL  

hewinked

LOL, I know!  DH thinks she is chewing on it, but I'm with her all day, and I don't see her chewing on it.  Unless she is actually chewing with her front teeth with her mouth closed, instead of sucking like it looks like she is doing. 

Kellina

Ouch! That looks painful! I would call your pedi and ask what you can do. I don't know what you'd do to stop it... DS has been a MAJOR thumb sucker since about 4mo old and he's never "done damage" to it!

I sucked my thumb till I was like 7... 

hewinked

Kellina:

Ouch! That looks painful! I would call your pedi and ask what you can do. I don't know what you'd do to stop it... DS has been a MAJOR thumb sucker since about 4mo old and he's never "done damage" to it!

I sucked my thumb till I was like 7... 

Don't be embarrassed!  I sucked mine a lot longer than that, just at night.  It was like a reflex I couldn't control!  I thought about calling her pedi, but I reallllly dislike him and don't trust his advice (that's a whole other story!).  On the other hand, I don't know what else to do!