Question:
> I am the new mother of a four month old daughter. Congratulations on your > new baby!!! I’m not a doctor or anything but my baby does the same thing. > I really think that’s perfectly normal. Sometimes the only way they can > sooth their selves to sleep is by sucking. It’s natural and it’s great > that he’s realizing he has hands and can actually do things with them. > The way that babys "get to know" things is by putting them in their mouth. > My daughter just starting trying holding her bottle recently also. It’s > great! So, don’t worry. They all do that and I think that you shouldn’t > have to worry about it being a problem for a long time. > Randi Reynolds
VERY WELL PUT!!!! Let her comfort herself!!! the more you worryabout it, the more of a tool of rebellion it will become ion the years to come./..it’s not worth it – left TOTALLY alone regarding the subject, most children will give it up on their own way before it ever becomes a threat to their orthodontic stability…
Response:
Here’s a twist: My daughter, 3 1/2, sucks her two middle fingers and I’ve never had a problem with that. Recently, while shopping in WalMart, she started screaming that her finger was bleeding. Looking at it, my first reaction was thinking that two of her fingers must have been chemically dried by some means inexplicable to me. They were badly cracked and starting to bleed. Then I realized that they were her "sucking fingers". We had a very tough few days — I would put Vaseline on them and then a band-aid, and she would scream because she couldn’t suck on them. She wouldn’t use her other hand or other fingers. Then she would pull the band-aids off and suck contentedly for a few minutes until they started to hurt and bleed again, and then she’s scream for a band-aid. This went on and on, much worse of course when she was tired and "needed" them more. Finally they healed, and I hope that never happens again!
Response:
My son just turned four and he has been a thumb sucker since birth. I also tried to get him to take a pacifier … he wouldn’t have it. I’ve tried that nasty stuff that you put on the fingers. (It had worked on his older brother) His desire to suck his thumb won out. He has a sore on his thumb, and I think that it’s awful. I really want him to stop; but I guess I don’t really have any control over it! Lula, mother of 3
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My 4 month old son discovered his fingers a couple of weeks and they > are always in his mouth. I realize that this is a normal stage and I > wouldn’t be concerned except for the following: > He sucks his thumb to go to sleep (but doesn’t wake up if I go in and > pull it out). > He tries to sneak a finger into his mouth while "helping" to hold > the bottle. > This kid has never been interested in a pacifier and when I give him > one now he twists it around (out) and holds it while sucking his fingers. > Is all of that within the range of normal or can I expect to be weaning > him off his thumb when he hits kindergarten? > Should I pull his hand away every time I catch him or just ignore it?
Suzan… Personal observations and philosophies only… but here goes. Our 7-year-old latched onto hre thumb when she was an infant… in fact, our ultrasound image of her shows her thumbsucking! No pacifier for her (we offered it!) and she still has not let go completely, at age 7, and my wife and I are loathe to force her off of the practice. She has weaned herself to the point where she doesn’t want it in presence of others outside close family, most often at bedtime or when she’s really tired or upset. The dentist says there’s no disruption of teeth (baby or adult) so why not let here suck? Our 7month old son has fingers in his face whenever he can, but he loves is pacifier. It’s tougher on him and us because if he used his thumb for pacification, it would be there on the end of his hand, always at the ready! With the pacifier, one of us has to track it down for him first. I personally feel (along with my wonderful wife) that sucking is an excellent way for kids to calm down, stay calm or feel more comfortable in their surroundings. It gives them a way they can deal with stress all by themselves, early in life. Happy parenting! Greg Lubianetzky Father to Teri, 7 years and Tom, 7 months
Response:
I am the new mother of a four month old daughter. Congratulations on your new baby!!! I’m not a doctor or anything but my baby does the same thing. I really think that’s perfectly normal. Sometimes the only way they can sooth their selves to sleep is by sucking. It’s natural and it’s great that he’s realizing he has hands and can actually do things with them. The way that babys "get to know" things is by putting them in their mouth. My daughter just starting trying holding her bottle recently also. It’s great! So, don’t worry. They all do that and I think that you shouldn’t have to worry about it being a problem for a long time. Randi Reynolds
Response:
Hi! My daughter started to suck her thumb when she was about that age (she 16 months now). She had been on a pacifier before, but decided that she preferred the thumb. She only sucks on her thumb if she’s hungry or to go to sleep. It sounds like your child is pretty normal (or maybe I’m hoping that mine is….?) Our standard practice at this point is to ignore it. We figure that if we make a big deal out of it, she’ll start to think "Hey! This thumb thing is pretty important and it’s getting me lots of attention. I think I’ll do it till I’m 16!" From what I understand most kids give up their thumb between 3 and 5, when they are ready for it. We’re satisfied just to wait! Jennifer Newton Mother to Jessica, 16 months – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My 4 month old son discovered his fingers a couple of weeks and they > are always in his mouth. I realize that this is a normal stage and I > wouldn’t be concerned except for the following: > He sucks his thumb to go to sleep (but doesn’t wake up if I go in and > pull it out). > He tries to sneak a finger into his mouth while "helping" to hold > the bottle. > This kid has never been interested in a pacifier and when I give him > one now he twists it around (out) and holds it while sucking his fingers. > Is all of that within the range of normal or can I expect to be weaning > him off his thumb when he hits kindergarten? > Should I pull his hand away every time I catch him or just ignore it? > Thanks. > –Suzan
Response:
My 4 month old son discovered his fingers a couple of weeks and they are always in his mouth. I realize that this is a normal stage and I wouldn’t be concerned except for the following: He sucks his thumb to go to sleep (but doesn’t wake up if I go in and pull it out). He tries to sneak a finger into his mouth while "helping" to hold the bottle. This kid has never been interested in a pacifier and when I give him one now he twists it around (out) and holds it while sucking his fingers. Is all of that within the range of normal or can I expect to be weaning him off his thumb when he hits kindergarten? Should I pull his hand away every time I catch him or just ignore it? Thanks. –Suzan — Suzan Dry Noden
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My 4 month old son discovered his fingers a couple of weeks and they > are always in his mouth. I realize that this is a normal stage and I > wouldn’t be concerned except for the following: > He sucks his thumb to go to sleep (but doesn’t wake up if I go in and > pull it out). > He tries to sneak a finger into his mouth while "helping" to hold > the bottle. > This kid has never been interested in a pacifier and when I give him > one now he twists it around (out) and holds it while sucking his fingers. > Is all of that within the range of normal or can I expect to be weaning > him off his thumb when he hits kindergarten? > Should I pull his hand away every time I catch him or just ignore it? > Thanks. > –Suzan
Hi Suzan; No, you have nothing to worry about! Babies come equipped with a sucking reflex–used for eating and for soothing. Babies suck their thumb and/or in the womb! Many neonatal units in hospitals have parenting groups for new parents and their babies (babies often just a few hours old). Especially for hard-to-sooth babies, one strategy used is to gently guide the thumb into the mouth to help the baby rediscover the thumb and help the baby to sooth or calm. Your baby is doing this! In our society we worry tremendously over thumb-sucking, for reasons I’ve never understood. Even if your child continues to suck his thumb beyond babyhood, save the fights for the big stuff. Enjoy your baby! LaVonne
Response:
my son is 13 years old and every day at least once, i see him sucking his thumb. i was told when he was 3 that he would stop at sometime and not to press it. yeah right. when he is a grandpa, will he be sucking his thumb instead of lighting a pipe? suggestions welcome. although i think i have used them all.
Response:
Not to sound crass, but I bet once your son discovers girls, he will be finding more satisfying things to suck on and he will also realize that "sucking" his thumb is not the "cool" thing to do around his peers. If girls don’t give him the inspiration to quit, I’m sure once he turns 16 and starts driving he will have better things to do with his hands. In the meantime, get his hands busy with other things to do, model building, engine repair, etc and get him sugarless gum or sugarless lollipops for the oral urges. He will quit someday, believe me. There are MUCH worse things to worry about so be thankful he’s a good kid. Don’t scold him, it will just make it worse. Just let it go. Give him a hug and tell him you love him, and spend some time really listening to him and getting to know him. Love is all you need. Love makes all things right. The thumb sucking will end when the time is right.
Response:
thanks. nice reply. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Not to sound crass, but I bet once your son discovers girls, he will > be finding more satisfying things to suck on and he will also realize > that "sucking" his thumb is not the "cool" thing to do around his > peers. If girls don’t give him the inspiration to quit, I’m sure once > he turns 16 and starts driving he will have better things to do with > his hands. In the meantime, get his hands busy with other things to > do, model building, engine repair, etc and get him sugarless gum or > sugarless lollipops for the oral urges. He will quit someday, believe > me. There are MUCH worse things to worry about so be thankful he’s a > good kid. Don’t scold him, it will just make it worse. Just let it go. > Give him a hug and tell him you love him, and spend some time really > listening to him and getting to know him. Love is all you need. Love > makes all things right. The thumb sucking will end when the time is > right.
Response:
my son is 13 years old and every day at least once, i see him sucking his thumb. i was told when he was 3 that he would stop at sometime and not to press it. yeah right. when he is a grandpa, will he be sucking his thumb instead of lighting a pipe? suggestions welcome. although i think i have used them all.
Response:
Not to sound crass, but I bet once your son discovers girls, he will be finding more satisfying things to suck on and he will also realize that "sucking" his thumb is not the "cool" thing to do around his peers. If girls don’t give him the inspiration to quit, I’m sure once he turns 16 and starts driving he will have better things to do with his hands. In the meantime, get his hands busy with other things to do, model building, engine repair, etc and get him sugarless gum or sugarless lollipops for the oral urges. He will quit someday, believe me. There are MUCH worse things to worry about so be thankful he’s a good kid. Don’t scold him, it will just make it worse. Just let it go. Give him a hug and tell him you love him, and spend some time really listening to him and getting to know him. Love is all you need. Love makes all things right. The thumb sucking will end when the time is right.
Response:
thanks. nice reply. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Not to sound crass, but I bet once your son discovers girls, he will > be finding more satisfying things to suck on and he will also realize > that "sucking" his thumb is not the "cool" thing to do around his > peers. If girls don’t give him the inspiration to quit, I’m sure once > he turns 16 and starts driving he will have better things to do with > his hands. In the meantime, get his hands busy with other things to > do, model building, engine repair, etc and get him sugarless gum or > sugarless lollipops for the oral urges. He will quit someday, believe > me. There are MUCH worse things to worry about so be thankful he’s a > good kid. Don’t scold him, it will just make it worse. Just let it go. > Give him a hug and tell him you love him, and spend some time really > listening to him and getting to know him. Love is all you need. Love > makes all things right. The thumb sucking will end when the time is > right.
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