How do you stop a 7 year old to stop sucking his thumb??

Question

My 7 year old son is very stubborn, everything has to be his way and he does not do well with change. That said, he has sucked his thumb since he was a baby, never even used a pacifier. He is highly intelligent but this is just what he does. Now I am getting concerned about long term problems, like the fact that one thumb is twice the size of the other one and I also worry even more about his tooth development. We have tried everything and he likes the taste of tabasco sauce so putting that on his thumb does not work. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Answer 1

Put somthing that his dont like on his thumb

Answer 2

They actually do have a product to buy at the store when you want to stop thumb sucking.  It really tastes like nail polish, horrible.  Maybe try that?

It's called Thum, I got it behind the pharmacy counter at Target.  Just ask, very cheap too.

Answer 3

I sucked my thumb until I was 12 years old and needed braces because of it. The first thing the orthodontist put in was an appliance that went across my teeth and formed a guard in front of the high palate so when I stuck my thumb in my mouth (by then a habit I couldn't break) it hit this piece of metal. We called it a cowcatcher because it looked like the cowcatcher on the front of a train. I don't remember the correct name.

Long story short, my parents tried to get me to stop in other ways and nothing worked. I hope you don't treat your son as stubborn or bad, just know that I am almost certain he cannot stop the thumb sucking — not that he is resistant to change or is being beligerant. I didn't want to be sucking my thumb at my age; I just couldn't help it. Even when I could control it during the day (for fear of embarrassment if any other kids saw me), I stuck it in my mouth during sleep and didn't even know it.

Some people must have a really, really strong oral fixation. I still bite at my fingernails horribly as an adult after many tries to stop. My parents tried the yucky tasting material to paint on the nails, and I liked it!

I'm sorry I don't have any concrete answers, just a note to approach it gently because your son isn't doing it to spite anyone else.

Answer 4

ignore the behavior and quit antagonizing your child.  perhaps the child just needs a little respect and distance from you.  you don't sound very nice.  direct your real concerns to the dentist and pediatrician.

Answer 5

My sister stopped my neice from thumbsucking the same way she did potty training. She made a chart on the wall and gave her a sticker for each day she did not suck her thumb and at the end of the week. they did a "big girl" (or in your case "big boy") activity that big kids who dont suck their thumbs do. When my neice would be tempted to suck my sister would reminder he by asking her to instead of sucking her thumb why doesnt she think of the fun activity she would like to do if she earns he daily sticker for a thumb-sucking free day.

Answer 6

put a spice on it

Answer 7

Try wrapping something on his thumb just to remind him not to suck his thumb. Like a bandaid or tape, I have seen a plastic thumb brace that the child can use I believe the website is Onestepahead.com or LeapsandBound.com I hope this helped. Good Luck!!! Remember alot of kids that do suck their thumbs use this as a security blanket. I am sure he will grow out of it (especially if you help him out) or take him to the doctor see what they say.

Answer 8

Why would you want to take something away from him that gives him comfort???

Most kids this age who still suck their thumbs have a battle of wills with their parents for a long time.  The more you want them to stop, the more they will do it, especially when you aren't looking.  Being ridiculed, punished, or otherwise being forced to stop is not the answer.

Look, I sucked my thumb until I was 10.  I stopped when I was at a sleep over because I didn't want to seem like a baby to my friends (none of them were thumb suckers).  However, I am in my mid 30's and still sleep with my childhood blankie.  I am a well rounded, intelligent person.  I just choose to keep my blanket because I find comfort in it.

My advice to you is to leave it alone.  It's not the end of the world and isn't really hurting anyone.  And just because one sucks their thumb doesn't mean they will for sure have dental problems.  I never did and still don't.  In fact, I've never needed any dental work.

Answer 9

put pepper chilli in his tumb after l*****g it he surely stop l*****g

Answer 10

Take him to the dentist and have a thumb guard installed. We did it with our 4 year old and it worked great. It makes their speech sound a bit lispy while its in, but it causes no pain and is easy to eat and brush around.

Answer 11

Put chilli powter on it or something that he dosn't like.