is thumb sucking ok? will it become a habit

[taytotayto]

my daughter is almost 8 weeks old. when she was born she sucked her whole fist for the first week then stopped. now for the past 3 weeks she has started sucking her thumb. not all the time, mainly when she is relaxed and spending time looking around. i didnt give her a dummy as i didnt want her getting attached but should i give her one instead of allowing her to suck on her thumb. should i ignore it or pull it out when i see her doing it?? its so hard to know what to do.
any advice very welcome, thanks x

[shivermetimbers]

If it does become a habit it may be very difficult to break. My sister still sucks her thumb now and she is 35. Not a good look.

[Gateau]

It's very cute to look at- much nicer than a dummy - but agree it can be very hard to break. I know people who have sucked their thumb into their thirties.
But I wouldn't worry about it yet if your DD is just 8 weeks old!! It#'s her comforter.

[generalunrest]

If you give her a dummy you can take it away when she decides it's time to give it up, not really practical if she's sucking her thumb

I sucked my thumb when I was small, and it was a right pain to stop, I gave my DD a dummy and she chose to give it up when she turned three, and we had no probs with it at all

[ABetaDad]

Yes it is OK and yes it will become a habit.

DS2 did it in the womb and we have the photo and he stil does age 7. Don't worry about it. She will stop doing it once she notices boys and starts wearing lipstick - then you will have something to worry about.

[roseability]

I hate to say this but I am 30 and still suck my thumb

I remember my parents putting horrible tasting stuff on my thumb and making me wear gloves at night. I did stop in my teens but for some reason took it up again in my twenties!

I am normal (relatively!) and haven't suffered any terrible side effects. So if the worst happens and she ends up like me, it won't ruin her life.