Thumb sucking strategies
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Anonymous
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Ugh, it’s time. We’re 3.5 and probably in for braces anyway but I still need to make a real effort to stop the thumb sucking.
What has worked for other people whose kids were dedicated thumb suckers? Our kid does it all day and during the night and it is REALLY effective for them psychologically. I hate the idea of taking it away because it helps them regulate so much. But the teeth are definitely messed up. Any gloves/guards that worked well? A favorite bitter nail polish? |
Anonymous
| The only thing that worked was my 3yr old getting an abscess and having to stop out of fear of going to the hospital. We bought a special glove off Amazon. |
Anonymous
| She hasn’t slept through the night or independently since (was never an issue before) so YMMV if kiddo is already in for braces 😵💫 |
Anonymous
| Please do whatever you have to. My parents did the best they could with what they have, I am sharing with no blame toward them. However, I did this until I was 17 and had an appliance put in that prevented this. Research later is telling me that my jaw growth was likely very stunted and my bite was misaligned despite braces in my teens. Invisalign fixed my bite, but there is an asymetry to my face that for vanity reasons, I wish was not there. |
Anonymous
| Mavala Stop fingernail polish. |
Anonymous
This is what we did and it worked in a week. I had to reapply once. Do it ASAP. |
Anonymous
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Outright bribery.
Mine was 3 and sucked her thumb while holding her lovey in the other hand. We said lovey had to stay in her room except for long trips. The kid next door got a new outdoor toy and DD wanted one. We told her if she didn’t suck thumb for 5 days she could get one. It worked. |
Anonymous
| Idk my kid is 4 and the thumbsucking has definitely decreased from when she was little, but she still does it when tired/stressed. Our dentist does not like “harsh” methods like nail polish or gloves and encourages just gentle reminders. Not sure that’s worked either. |
Anonymous
Dedicated thumb suckers will just suck the nasty flavor off. That's what mine did. OP we offered bribes and tried the polish starting when our kid was about that age. Nothing stuck. Eventually I put a sock on her hand and laid down with her and rubbed her back until she fell asleep for weeks on end when she was 5 and old enough to start understanding. That finally did it, but it was hard on her (hence the rubbing her back, so that I was there for her during the hard time). I wouldn't say her teeth are fine - she had an expander and she'll do braces - but they aren't worse than her sister who gave up the paci at 1. |
Anonymous
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We used the NIPIT from amazon. Its basically a brace that they wear, so it makes it uncomfortable for them to bend their elbow.
My child would suck her thumb at night. I took about a week of restless nights, but she eventually stopped. |
Anonymous
That's why you have to reapply it. My daughter sucked her thumb for years until we did the nail polish. Applied on a Monday, gone by Wednesday. Reapplied on Wednesday, no more thumb sucking by Friday. |
Anonymous
| Ace bandage her elbows. |
Anonymous
PP here. I would have been applying many times a day. |
Anonymous
| We used the t-guard with a thumb sucker and a finger sucker. Worked great. They need to be somewhat bought in but it really helps break the habit without too much fuss. |
Anonymous
| Well, we’re doing the mavala stop and everyone is an emotional wreck. Anyone with a dedicated thumb sucker with insight on when it got better? |