Community› The Bump Message Boards› Toddlers: 24 Months+
Toddlers: 24 Months+
New Discussion

Stop thumb sucking idea

JenniCollinsJenniCollins member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+
Recently my DD's dental hygienist gave us a new idea on how to stop thumb sucking and it's actually working. 

  • Thumb sucking is only allowed in their bedroom
  • Allow them to stay there as long as they'd like
  • Shouldn't be too long since toddlers are very social
  • No yelling at them for thumb sucking, just gently remind them they need to go to their room
  • Continue to do whatever you were doing when they leave for their rooms
  • Make being out of the room more exciting

We started this on Monday morning and it's working wonderfully.  We explained that thumb sucking is only allowed in her bedroom from now on.  She has never actually gone into her room, the few times I've had to tell her that she needs to go in her room she pops her thumb right out.  I've already noticed that she is sucking her thumb less, plus I've seen a few times that she was going to suck her thumb and changed her mind.

Just wanted to share this with everybody in case anybody else was going thru the fun craziness of trying to get their child to stop sucking their thumb like we were (are).
 

image Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

image

Report Reply to Post

Re: Stop thumb sucking idea

  • TiffanyBerryTiffanyBerry member
    Awesome!  That's the same method we used for nose picking, honestly.  She rarely does it now!

    We were lucky, and talking with my daughter for a few months about it helped her stop on her own, but it was probably six months of talking about it, if not more.
    IMG_8355
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    image
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • citygirl22citygirl22 member
    Other than some gentle reminders, we haven't done anything focused on the finger sucking. may have to try this sometime soon so thanks for sharing.
    Report Reply
  • changingnameschangingnames member
    Hmmmm. I wonder if I should be doing something about ds2s finger sucking. He only does it when he is trying to fall asleep and while he is sleeping. I never see it outside of bed unless he is so tired that it's a blaring sign that he should be in bed (he sucks two fingers and tugs on his hair with the other hand). He sucks so hard there are calluses on his fingers.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • mommyton&emommyton&e member
    Our dentist said the same thing but he has to stay on his bed. This has cut down on the finger sucking tremendously. He still does it while falling asleep though.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • ashiscuteashiscute member
    changingnames said:
    Hmmmm. I wonder if I should be doing something about ds2s finger sucking. He only does it when he is trying to fall asleep and while he is sleeping. I never see it outside of bed unless he is so tired that it's a blaring sign that he should be in bed (he sucks two fingers and tugs on his hair with the other hand). He sucks so hard there are calluses on his fingers.
    My DD does the same thing.  Sucks on her index and middle finger and twirls her hair.  We went through a stage where it was really bad and happening all the time and she was twisting her hair into knots but it did get better.  Now she is only doing it while she's in her bed.  I remind her not to do it but am trying not to stress about.  Especially since it's so much better than it was.
    Report Reply
  • changingnameschangingnames member
    It really has only ever been in his bed (unless he was so tired he should be in bed and I don't have him there) but here is a silly story- we finally got a good hair cut that looked adorable and was- just righty KWIM ? So ds1 yells that ds2 grabbed his scissors and I run out to get them and he has managed to give himself a reverse Mohawk. He looks like he has male patter baldness as he has hacked all of the hair in the middle and left his longish hair onto e sides. I would shave it all off except for the hair tugging so I'm left with a combover. Lol
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • CutiesMommy420CutiesMommy420 member
    Great advice and shared with us! We took away the binkie at 18 months old (DD is not 23 months old) and I was afraid of her going to the thumb.. instead she is biting her nails...
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"