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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

3.5 year old sucking habit

15 replies

Vijac · 01/06/2015 21:23

My child still sucks his own mouth/tongue as a comforter. When tired or sleepy and also during the night when asleep. Is this something we should be worried about? Did anyone else's kids do this going on 4?

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VolumniaDedlock · 01/06/2015 21:26

my 8 yo sucks her tongue
never thought to stop her TBH. is there a reason why they should stop?

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Vijac · 01/06/2015 21:36

I read something about how it can harm the teeth like thumb sucking and affect speech but I don't really know. Anyone else any wiser?

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VolumniaDedlock · 01/06/2015 21:43

anecdotally, our dentist has never mentioned any misalignment or any other problems with dd1's teeth. DD2 still sucks her fingers at nearly five, and the dentist knew straight away due to the formation of her bite.

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Vijac · 01/06/2015 21:52

Does she do it in her sleep too? On our son it look like the baby sucking motion.

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VolumniaDedlock · 01/06/2015 22:06

yup - looks like maggie simpson only without the dummy.
she only does it when nodding off/asleep

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Vijac · 01/06/2015 22:15

Wonder if they ever grow out of it??

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Piratejones · 02/06/2015 10:38

could you replace with a dummy then get rid of the dummy?

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Vijac · 02/06/2015 17:11

It is something I thought of but seems crazy at nearly four when he's never had a dummy. I'm worried it's affecting his teeth as I dint think he has the clearest speech of all his friends.

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Piratejones · 02/06/2015 17:22

I hate dummies, but i was specifically told to let my 7 year old have one for as long as possible by his doctor as comfort during a period when he was having seizures, he only got rid of it when he was 6.

If he only has it when he is sleepy it's unlikely to affect his speech any more than sucking his tongue does, orthodontic ones are designed to be less harsh to the teeth as well.

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Vijac · 02/06/2015 17:28

Interesting, thanks. I think I may visit the doctor and ask her about it.

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Piratejones · 02/06/2015 17:30

You could also ask a dentist.

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Jaderuby · 02/06/2015 17:55

We taught an older child to us a dummy to stop her sucking her thumb .

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Marioswife · 02/06/2015 20:42

I have no problem with dummies and mine have had them beyond toddler years, but I'm not sure an almost 4 year old would take to one or want one after not having one before.