Helping my 3yo to stop sucking her thumb

[Tiredmum21]

Posting in chat for traffic - hoping I can get some advice from parents who have been through this!

My 3yo has sucked her thumb since she was a baby - at the moment she only does it to get to sleep, she stops as soon as she's asleep but does start again at night if she wakes up. She's properly sucking it too - not just putting it in her mouth - which has mean she has a ridge of skin on her thumb now. I'd really like to get her to stop now as worried about her teeth.

We've talked to her about not doing but what else should we be doing? Keep taking it out of her mouth as she's sleeping? I've seen those hand/thumb covers online - has anyone else had any success with these?

[ThatGirl82]

My 3 year old also sucks her thumb, mostly at night but also for occasional comfort in the day. I hadn't considered getting her to stop to be honest as she is still so young. I assumed that she will grow out of it by the time her big teeth come in so it shouldn't be a problem. I will look into it but hate the thought of stopping her 😢

[LolaLollypop]

Also with a 3 year old thumb sucker! My dentist said as long as she’s stopped by the time she’s 5, there should be a problem. She really only does it now in bed or when she’s tired.

[Qwom]

I sucked my thumb until I was about 11 - my teeth are lovely and straight, no issues at all... see _

[Ronia]

I can't vouch for these personally but they seem to have had a lot of awards/funding

instagram.com/jothumbsie?igshid=1l6lozrji2bbu

[UserABCDE12345]

My DD has been told she will have to have a brace due to the damage sucking her thumb has caused. Nightmare habit to get rid of.

I used a sticker chart with the promise that if she stopped she got to go to the toy shop and pick anything (within reason). I also put a glove on that hand overnight. It did the trick at the time but mine was older, about 5/6 I think.

She's 9 and it's creeping up again.

[TheCatsPjammas]

My DS just loved his thumb... did it to sleep, when bored/anxious...stopped when he was about 5. We did paint his thumb with that foul tasting nail varnish that did help. But at that point he wanted to stop so was ok with having his thumb painted. I think starting school was the trigger for him.