Toddler habit of sucking her wrist - should I be worried?

[Swickers78]

Some advice would be very welcome! My 18 month old started sucking her wrist a few months ago. The start of this comfort habit roughly coincided with her starting at nursery as I went back to work and a bad bout of teething.

I've tried to be a bit relaxed about it, but sometimes she gives herself blisters and bleeds (yet keeps doing it despite the pain), and the bit where she's sucking is often raised and reddish... I've tried to swap her to a variety of teething rings or even pacifiers, but no luck!

Has any one else's lo done this? Is it something I should really focus on getting her to stop, or wait it out a bit longer once she's got all her teeth and hope she grows out of it?

Thank you!

[ppeatfruit]

Not her thumb then? I'd ignore it. You can't make her stop by putting nasty flavour stuff on it. She WILL grow out of, it but I can see that it's worrying, what does the nursery say? Is there any specific time of day when she does it?

[Swickers78]

No, just the wrist - nursery they've never seen this before. She initially did it mainly when she was tired or going to sleep, but now she does it a lot throughout the day as well, which is why her poor wrist is getting so sore....

She has never really latched on to a comfort item, no toy or blanket - though perhaps that's to come? I'm mainly worried that she'll end up scarring herself or creating some kind of permanent lump before she grows out of it!

I've tried a plaster this morning to see how that goes, but at the moment what it really needs I think is some air. She's so stubborn though - can't imagine where she got that from ;-)

Perhaps the HV might have some suggestions.... Hmmm...

[ppeatfruit]

Maybe give her her thumb ! It does sound sore, but a lot of dcs suck their thumbs ,fingers etc. without scarring. Careful with plasters unless they're very hypo allergenic they could be worse than sucking

Have you tried putting a tiny drop of rose or vanilla essential oil mixed with almond oil or water on her thumb? she might like the flavour and forget her wrist. Well it's worth a try.

[ppeatfruit]

Oh yes I forgot springtime there are lovely organic cotton soft toys specially for sucking and you can wash them.

[CJara]

Hello. I know you will probably not answer, as it has been about 6 years, but I was very curious when i saw this because I as well used to suck my wrist when i was younger, and I still do. I just wanted to ask if your baby ever stop sucking her wrist, and if she did then, how? I have been sucking my wrist for my whole life and I don’t know why. I need help, and I just wanted to ask if she made it and if she did, how did she do it?

[Robogall]

yes, I also have been sucking my wrist since I was a toddler, probably even a baby, and to this day I still suck it.I was searching for other ppl in this situation but I couldn’t find anything online till now It is making my lips appear droopy but not too bad. Im turning 18 next month and i think atp I’ll never be able to quit.. Im so glad I’m not the only one. But I hate how it’s making me appear as less attractive. I want to stop but can’t.