The great thumb sucking debate...where do you stand? (non clicky)

CFH79

I tried to make a clicky, but I evidently can't from my phone. So, tell me: how do you feel about your LO sucking his/her thumb? Pro thumb sucking bc now they can self soothe Anti thumb sucking bc you can't take it away like a paci other/SS

OhSewCrafty

I'm pro making my baby happy and my life easier. Yes, we can't take his thumb away, but if its what he really wants I'm not going to fight him over such a little thing.

CFH79

I need to preface this by saying that I didn't start sucking my thumb until I was 4 and my sister taught me how. But I didn't STOP until I was 8. You'd think that would make me anti thumb sucking. But I'm actually not. I think my stubbornness in not stopping no matter what my parents tried was an exception, not the rule. I'm not really pro thumb sucking either. I figure if she does, she does and if she doesn't, she doesn't. What am I supposed to do at 3.5 months to stop her anyway? She's putting EVERY thing in her mouth, including her hands. She hasn't really "found" her thumb specifically. what about you guys? Where do you stand in the great thumb sucking debate?

AllSmiles1210

OhSewCrafty:

I'm pro making my baby happy and my life easier. Yes, we can't take his thumb away, but if its what he really wants I'm not going to fight him over such a little thing.

I agree with this. A isn't very fond of her paci but has been sucking on her hands like crazy. I'm fine with whatever soothes her at this point. I'll keep trying to offer the paci but won't push it if she doesn't want it.

lulu8109

I'm fine if he starts sucking his thumb.  He's done it a few times.  He's been trying to suck his whole hand lately.  Then he gets frustrated that he can't find his thumb, so I end up giving him his paci.  I almost wish he would learn how to suck his thumb so he could self soothe and I don't have to play the paci retrieval game with him so often.

I'm not sure how I'll end up breaking his thumbsucking habit, but I'll cross that bridge when it comes to it.

ReneeDear

Anti.  Two people in my family have required dental work due to thumb sucking to correct their bite.  I also don't use a paci.  I have read that using a paci makes sleep training difficult because they need you to put it back in their mouth in the middle of the night.  Plus in my experience, some people use a paci as a baby silencer.  When LO cries he does so for a reason.  I have had his grandparents ask me for a paci rather than asking why is he crying.   There are many valid reasons for using one - a sucking replacement for a child who has found their thumb, a colicky baby who cannot be soothed in any fashion but we have not run into any of those cases and therefore do not need a paci.

LO will make suckling motions with his mouth just in the air.  Recently has discovered the top of his overalls or his blanket and will suck on them if they come near his mouth. It doesn't happen very often.  He loves to suck on the wash cloth when I'm wiping his gums clean and the legs on his Sophie.

Kellina

I've said it a million times on the bump... I love my.thumbsuckers!! My first still sucks his thumb a decent amount. He's a super happy kid. If he's feeling tired or nervous or anything his thumb helps him out! He took a paci too until he really got this thumb at 4 months. This LO found his thumb already- like a month ago!! Probably because he refuses all pacis! It's fine by me- I hate the paci retrieval game! Oh and I sucked my thumb till I was 8. My brother never did and we both had braces!

babyonthebrain2010

nope, I'd cut his thumb off before I let him suck on it.  paci all the way for us.

CFH79

Kellina:

I've said it a million times on the bump... I love my.thumbsuckers!! My first still sucks his thumb a decent amount. He's a super happy kid. If he's feeling tired or nervous or anything his thumb helps him out! He took a paci too until he really got this thumb at 4 months. This LO found his thumb already- like a month ago!! Probably because he refuses all pacis! It's fine by me- I hate the paci retrieval game! Oh and I sucked my thumb till I was 8. My brother never did and we both had braces!

I needed brace too, but my teeth werent too messed up. The ortho was shocked when I told him how long--he couldn't believe my teeth looked as good as they did.

timark99

OhSewCrafty:

I'm pro making my baby happy and my life easier. Yes, we can't take his thumb away, but if its what he really wants I'm not going to fight him over such a little thing.

This for us...besides. Dh and I were not thumb suckers and still both of us required braces. We will just make sure to save $$ and have good dental insurance for when the time comes. Our guy just stuffs his whole hand in but will also gnaw on his lovey, his sophie, and the wubanub.

canthardlywait426

OhSewCrafty:

I'm pro making my baby happy and my life easier. Yes, we can't take his thumb away, but if its what he really wants I'm not going to fight him over such a little thing.

I could not agree with this more!

lilmgirl

OhSewCrafty:

I'm pro making my baby happy and my life easier. Yes, we can't take his thumb away, but if its what he really wants I'm not going to fight him over such a little thing.

Ditto.  If I had my way, Kami wouldn't be sucking his thumb but in the past week, he;s found it and would rather suck on that than his paci.  Right now it makes him happy - we'll worry about weaning down the road.

shaw

I thought babies were supposed to start sucking their hands/thumbs.  It seems developmentally appropriate!  Our LO won't take a paci but will suck his hands and his tongue (!?!?!)  While falling asleep.  I actually encourage it!

msualum96

Not strongly anti-thumb, but I would probably discourage it.  So far LO isn't super-dependent on the paci, hopefully that continues!  He's sucking on his fists big time right now too, but hasn't specifically found his thumbs yet.

Five Months to Plan

lo seems to have started to suck her thumb. i am ok with this but my sil is a dental hygentist. she feels very strongly no on this issue. she helpswatch lo a couple times a week. i am trying to decide how much i want to push the issue. my sister sucked her thumb and never needed braces. i did not suck my thumb and did.  lo has recently started sucker her thumb and paci though at the same time. she is determined.

JulietL129

OhSewCrafty:

I'm pro making my baby happy and my life easier. Yes, we can't take his thumb away, but if its what he really wants I'm not going to fight him over such a little thing.

This. L found his thumbs recently and I couldn't be happier. I have a little comfort sucker on my hands, he has been since day 1, and it's nice for my nipples to get a break. He won't suck them forever. And I never sucked my thumbs and needed a shitton of dental work, so I think he's screwed on that front anyway.

LiLnikkiMe

i'm not a fan of it, and would try to discourage it as much as possible. dh was a thumb sucker and had to have corrective dental work when he was younger to fit it.

chickaboo1974

Both my guys like their thumbs.  I really am not worried about it, if they are 4 and still sucking their thumbs- then I will worry.

utlawgirl

I reeeeeally wish Nora would find her thumb, especially now that she's refusing the paci... We can deal with breaking the habit later.

Mommysaurus123

Very "pro." We have noticed a dramatic decrease in the need for his paci... he will wake up in the AM and play with his thumbs for 20-30 minutes... which is all the time I need to go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, and put on some sweats.

cupcakes710

Pro at the moment... we'll see if that changes when I'm trying to wean her off of it, but right now it's a great comfort to her.

welshgirl

I'm pro - DD never took a paci, but it looks like she may be starting to find her thumb. I'm grateful if she does and discovers that something besides my boob will soothe her!

As far as it being hard to get rid of, I was a thumb sucker. I remember my parents' attemtps to get rid of the habit - all of which failed. I think I just grew out of it when I was ready. I never needed braces.