May 2015 Moms

Thumb sucking

my son has started to try sucking his thumb I stop him everytime because I know it's a hard habit to break later on. Any way to stop him besides mittens? He was bound to do it because he was doing it in the womb lol

Re: Thumb sucking

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  • I think that's a natural and comforting urge for babies. I don't think I would stop him if he wants to. My DD is starting to and I am glad that she can soothe herself and be content with it.

    This, for sure! I understand your concern with it. Heck, my 7 year old step daughter still sucks her thumb when she sleeps. But I do think it's important for them to learn a way to self soothe. My LO loves to suck on her fingers and I'm glad she has found them. We get much better naps :)
  • Agreed with pps, i wish DD would develop this habbit since she wont take a pacifier! But i would prefer a pacifier as it's cleaner.

    when she's old enough you can start thinking about a way to wean her off, but then again if you're not comfortable with your LO doing that then you should prevent it. Did you ever swaddle? You might want to look into that even though it's recommended to stop at 4 months, maybe LO will kick the habit by then? How is your LO with pacifiers maybe you could offer it every time you take the thumb out?
    Also, i personally don't think mittens are a solution since my DD would just suck on them
  • DD just started sucking her thumb the last couple weeks. We have been waiting for her to start it. I prefer it so much more than a Soother.
  • My older son sucked his thumb as an infant but it wasn't a habit that stuck.
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • My DS tried to suck his thumb for a good 2 week period. Any time we caught him we took it out and if he was upset we replaced with a soother. Now he doesn't even try to suck his thumb - he seems to be over that phase, which I'm glad as I prefer a soother over thumb sucking (personal opinion)
  • Honeslty I would stick with the thumb. Better for them to learn to soothe and deal later. Of course if you wait to long its an issue to break but if you interact and play with your child constantly and they are using their hands to play when older they actually stop (must pick play or sucking thumb). Plus you dont have to remember their hand! I hate pacifiers. No idea why but seeing a toddler with a pacifier kills me...its like they always need it even when out on the playground where toddlers who use them thumb use it when tired.
  • DMELDMEL member
    I prefer the thumb to pacifier also. It's always with them so you don't have to freak out you forgot the pacifier! And in my experiences, it's much easier to stop thumb sucking than to give up a pacifier.
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