Thumb-sucking...

fireflyz56 · August 2013

The last two days DD has become a relentless thumb-sucker! We have been pulling it out of her mouth constantly. Before this I only used a pacifier to help her go to sleep once in a while. She would munch on her hands but never sucked her thumb.

She also suddenly has quite the temper, wants to be snuggled and is having a hard time staying asleep. My happy easy-going baby is definitely sporting her Cranky Pants today, lol.

So I don't see any signs of teeth yet... But I'm wondering if she is starting to teethe? Did this happen to any of your LOs who are getting their teeth now?

ClandestineX · August 2013

She is probably in the early stages of teething, or she might be doing a milestone.. I have heard babies becoming clingy during some milestones. The thumb sucking is her way of finding her way of self soothing. Which is a good thing!

fireflyz56 · August 2013

Should we continue to make her stop if it is helping her self-soothe? DH really doesn't want her to suck her thumb. He couldn't break the habit until at least 4 years old and it ruined his teeth. I'm not sure what to do.

ClandestineX · August 2013

You can try to take her thumb out and replace it with a pacifier, she probably won't stop sucking her thumb until she can hold the pacifier and put it in her mouth. I get his fear, my aunt STILL sucks her thumb and she is 53, my cousin does and she is 34. My aunt has horrible buck teeth and my cousin's teeth are okay.. not perfect but okay.

suedell · August 2013

I sucked my thumb until I was five and didn't need braces. Both my boys are thumb suckers and if they are finding a way to self soothe, I really don't mind it.

fireflyz56 · August 2013

I have been replacing her thumb with a paci, although I don't really want her to have one in her mouth all the time either. Guess I have to pick my battles though. I looked on Dr. Google for teething symptoms and noticed she is rubbing her ear and cheek while eating tonight too. I'm turning into a crazy mom over analyzing every move. Also, if she IS experiencing pain from teething, this amber necklace thing is definitely a bunch of crap, lol.

ClandestineX · August 2013

fireflyz56 said:

I have been replacing her thumb with a paci, although I don't really want her to have one in her mouth all the time either. Guess I have to pick my battles though. I looked on Dr. Google for teething symptoms and noticed she is rubbing her ear and cheek while eating tonight too. I'm turning into a crazy mom over analyzing every move. Also, if she IS experiencing pain from teething, this amber necklace thing is definitely a bunch of crap, lol.

lol

The symptoms for my son have been crying and not stopping when I change, burp, or feed him.. and he eats very little due to a mix of his gums hurting and being distracted... which he gets distracted in a pitch black room because he can hear people still and as much drool as a mastiff. If she is cranky and you give her tylenol or something and she stops being cranky, there is a good chance she is teething.

ToAoShesha · August 2013

I would let her keep the thumb! She is learning to self sooth and that is imprtant. I read that at this age that is one of the only ways they can self sooth and that many kids grow out if it by 8 months and find other ways to self sooth.

[Deleted User] · August 2013

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asc34 · August 2013

I thought for sure I was going to have a paci addicted child but she has now almost entirely ditched the paci for her thumb. I let her suck her thumb because it helps her self soothe. If she's down for a nap she will fuss until she sticks her thumb in her mouth -- then out like a light! If it becomes a bad habit then so be it and I'll deal with it later. Right now its one of the best things for her.

lyankowi · August 2013

I was a thumb sucker until 4-5 I remember quitting was hard and I did have to have many oral surgeries and braces but if my kid sticks her thumb in her mouth we will roll with it.

pinottoparenthood · August 2013

suedell said:

I sucked my thumb until I was five and didn't need braces. Both my boys are thumb suckers and if they are finding a way to self soothe, I really don't mind it.

This. She's too young to understand what you're trying to do (break her of the habit) anyway, so you probably won't have much luck. She doesn't have any teeth yet, and even when she does, they'll baby teeth. While there are a few extreme cases, most kids stop sucking their thumbs well before adulthood.

fireflyz56 · August 2013

pinottoparenthood said:

suedell said:

I sucked my thumb until I was five and didn't need braces. Both my boys are thumb suckers and if they are finding a way to self soothe, I really don't mind it.

This. She's too young to understand what you're trying to do (break her of the habit) anyway, so you probably won't have much luck. She doesn't have any teeth yet, and even when she does, they'll baby teeth. While there are a few extreme cases, most kids stop sucking their thumbs well before adulthood.

Well we are onto day 4 and DH suggested this morning that maybe we should just let her have her thumb. She has been pretty miserable the last few days. I think her teeth are starting to be on the move and she is really affected by it. So if she is happy with her thumb in her mouth for now, so be it.

Mandmeesh · August 2013

Instead of thumb-sucking...M jams his entire fist in his mouth while making this grunting noise to try to jam it even further in. lol. poor guy! He hates chewing on baby items and teether, so he has his fists for now

pinottoparenthood · August 2013

fireflyz56 said:

pinottoparenthood said:

suedell said:

I sucked my thumb until I was five and didn't need braces. Both my boys are thumb suckers and if they are finding a way to self soothe, I really don't mind it.

This. She's too young to understand what you're trying to do (break her of the habit) anyway, so you probably won't have much luck. She doesn't have any teeth yet, and even when she does, they'll baby teeth. While there are a few extreme cases, most kids stop sucking their thumbs well before adulthood.

Well we are onto day 4 and DH suggested this morning that maybe we should just let her have her thumb. She has been pretty miserable the last few days. I think her teeth are starting to be on the move and she is really affected by it. So if she is happy with her thumb in her mouth for now, so be it.

pretty sure Rhys is teething, too. It's holy hell around here.

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