Thumb Sucking and Speech Problems

my son will be 4 this year. i caught him sucking his thumb the other day OUT OF THE BLUE FOR NO REASON, he's always had speech problems, but NEVER sucked his thumb. i hope someone has some good advice about this also.

I was a thumb sucker too. I sucked my thumb until I was 9. My mom tried everything to get me to stop. I just didnt until I was ready. I dont think that speech impairments come from thumb sucking and as far as teeth or the roof of his mouth if he stops by 7 the dentist told me that it will correct itself. He is only redirecting his baby teeth and the roof of his mouth will come dont when he gets his adult teeth.

My sister did this when she was little and my parents put a nail polish on he nails. There is one out there that tastes very bad and it will not harm him at all. It worked for my sister years ago.

I personally used to suck my thumb. My mom used to put this clear nail polish on my nail that tasted like orange peels. YUCK! It really worked, at least for me it did. Just thought I would let you know what worked for me. If you are interested, it is called MAVALA Stop. This is used for nail biting and thumb sucking.

HI D., I work at a pediatric dentist office, so I see alot of this. AND my daughter sucker her thumb for more than a few years, she is now 25, and has no after effects of sucking her thumb at all. She had one tooth that she pushed forward, which braces took care of. The best advise I have for you, is talk to your dentist about this #1. If he doesn't see any issues I wouldn't worry about it. At 4, we haven't done anything with any of the kids, when they get older, there is an appliance we put into their mouths as a reminder to take their thumbs out of their mouth. But it will only work if the child wants to quit, otherwise they will find a way to get their thumb in there. 4 year olds aren't ready for that. It bothers parents more than kids. It really bothered me with my daughter, and I tried everything, unfortunatly even tobasco sauce on her thumb, all that did was put blisters on both her thumb and in her mouth. She finally quit on her own, just like with potty training, they'll stop when they're ready. I have heard of the nail polish, its not something our dentists tell to do, but it may be worth a try. Good luck, but don't get overly concerned, he's still young:)Sue

Hello D. H.

I know that it can be tough to prevent a habit from a child such as thumb sucking. It is definately not to late. Try to reward him with small things for the number of days that he can go without sucking his thumb. Four days a new football. Two weeks a day out at his favorite pizza place like "Chuck E Cheese".

Your son my be using his thumb as a security mechanism to deal with the changes that are occuring in his life. It makes him feel safe. Hold him and constantly say "You are my big boy and I am proud of you." This let's him know that mommy is always in my conner.

As far as his speech is concerned, he is probably developing a lisp. Let him read tongue twisters and make a game out of it.

I am speaking from experience and these small things help abundantly.

You will find a way.

Good luck and God bless.

ARC

I don't really have mothering advice for you, because I've never had a thumb-sucking child. However, I sucked my thumb when I was a little girl. Like you're saying...it would just kindof pop in there on its own when I was tired or upset.

I'm hoping to comfort you a little, and let you know that everything turned out just fine. It took me FOREVER to stop...I think I was still sucking my thumb through 3rd grade. The only bad thing that happened was having to get braces--but most kids do anyways, so what the heck. My parents were pretty patient. I was just a really sensitive person (still am) and it was a major comfort tool for me. 4 years is still pretty young. Leave notes, give small insentives, but don't loose your patience just yet.

- J.

My four year old son sucks on his fingers.

We have rules (because I believe that if he's still doing it, he still needs it for something)

He is only allowed to suck his fingers in his bedroom, if I see him doing it at any other time all I have to do is say "Fingers" and he stops.

See if there is a pattern to it. My Son does it when he's tired, or has had a stressfull day (comfort issues)

It's called self soothing. This is how some children comfort themselves. I don't have experience with the thumb sucking. My daughter would self stimulate herself when she was a baby (still does occasionally) by moving her legs in and out and rocking. I've discussed this with doctors and they also said she would outgrow this. She only does this maybe 3 times a month. I will just say "Stefani" to get her attention and then she will stop. She doesn't realize she is doing this either (surprised look on her face). I have never made a big deal out of it because I don't want her to feel ashamed. Wish I could help out more!

I run a family daycare and do have a boy in my care who is over 5 yrs old who still sucks his thumb. His mom says it started when there were issues at home awhile back. Thing is he is in kindergarten and does it at school. The school and I will have him put sanitizer on his thumb when he puts it in his mouth. There are issues with teasing and it isn't good for their teeth. I spoke to his mom about it and did tell him if he is sleeping it is ok. But all day long he has to keep it out. He only does it when he is in the car , watching tv, and upset. I just keep prompting him. Have you tried a reward system if he keeps it out he can earn things?

But with the boy I have he does it for calming and I know it will take time. I am just hoping with the help from his mom he won't be doing it next year. Every child is different and needs to be handled that way. Keep trying, I don't think it is good to wait until he grows out of it. Have you talked to your dentist about it?

I think a lot of these moms are making it out like thumb sucking is something that requires punishment. That's horrible. I, and all 4 of my siblings, sucked my thumb and am no worse for wear because of it. I have no speech impediment, there's nothing wrong with my teeth, etc. If your son is still sucking his thumb - at only 4 years old - there's obviously a reason for it. If you teach him to be comfortable with and confident in himself, the teasing won't matter. Let it go. He'll stop when he's ready.

I would also suggest a reward system for not sucking his thumb. I would also consider trying to keep him very busy with something that required both hands, like playing with play-dough and stuff. You might also consider putting something spicy on his thumb, rather than sour. Spicy gets a kid's attention faster than sour, in my experience.

Hi D.,

My uncle was a thumbsucker and everytime my grandma saw it in his mouth she would put vinegar on it. I have used vinegar on my three children for either back talking me or using nasty language. I only had to do it once and it broke my middle son of say Jack A** he learned it from my younger brother, now all I have to do is threaten to use it when they back talk me and I get an apology real quick. It is not harmfull like soap is. Good Luck.

I am sorry to say this but you need to do something now because my neighbor is 7 and still sucks her thumb. My cousin is in her early 30,s and still sucks her thumb. I can't tell you how to do it but you need to do something like tape his thumb to his figer maybe I don't know but please for his sake.....Do something!!!!