Thursday, March 6, 2008

Thumb sucking solution

If you look closely at the picture you can see that Bailey has tape on her thumbs and pointer fingers. She started sucking her thumb as an infant and has had problems ever since. Her thumbs are callused over and occasionally will crack and bleed. In order to stop her from sucking her thumbs we wrapped them with tape. So she moved to her pointers. So we taped those too and she has moved down the line to the point that we tape them all now. But to no avail. Since she has no fingers without tape on them she has decided to go back to her taped thumbs. Anyone have a method to stop thumb sucking that they know will work?

9 comments:

Sarah said...

i was a BIG thumb sucker. My mom would paint my nails because I didn't like the taste, then when the taste would wear off, she would dip my fingers in vinegar, that doesn't wear off...let me tell you. Maybe that is why I LOVE salt and vinegar chips...LOL! Good luck, keep us updated!

The Trotter Family said...

I have heard of the nail polish thing. My mom sucked her thumbs and she told me that her mom put something really bitter on them to stop. I can't remember what it was right now, but bitter seemed to work better than the sour or spicy methods. I think it is kind of mean to put hot sauce on little kids fingers anyways!

Kellyn said...

This may sound funny, but tape gloves onto her hands, does that sound mean? Who wants to suck on puffy gloves? I sucked my pointer and middle finger together until I was about 7, my parents just let me grow out of it. Good Luck.

Cynthia said...

What a good question! I haven't had to deal with that yet, but that could easily be something that comes up with future kids. I love all the responses. I will have to share them with my friend who has a little boy that sucks his thumb. Her husband actually sucked his thumb until he was 5 and the way his parents got him to stop was bribery. Bailey is just a tad too young to understand bribery! But if you are still desperate in three years maybe you can try that.

Gray Family said...

Hey Rachel, I just came across your blog from Sarah's site. My advice and it really does work, brush vanilla extract on her fingers and thumb. It smells delicious but tastes awful, worse than vinegar. Good luck, way cute family by the way.

Kim Gray (aka Dunyon)

Kelly said...

I didn't stop sucking my thumb until I was 5. I stopped when I got the chicken pox and my mom said that if I didn't stop sucking my thumb I would get chicken pox in my mouth. That, and she bribed me with a snorkel for the pool.

Ruth said...

Sorry I don't have any suggestions, Kaitlin still sucks her thumb. We tell her that she can only suck it at night or when she takes a nap and that she has to stop sucking it before she starts school! She doesn't always listen of course but it worked for Emily. Good luck!

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Valley Girl said...

I hope it works! I have no advice on this avenue...but I could use some in the retireing blanky department...any thoughts?

Ok, and Rachel I am sooo sad I didn't get to see you while I was in town! It was great to see brett, But I would have loved to catch up with you! I know I know road show smoad show! Next timw though, yes?