To be feeling like a rubbish mum today

[Summerblaze]

My DD is almost 10 and is still sucking her thumb. I have tried all sorts of things to stop her but nothing so far has worked.

Been to the dentist today who informed her (again) that she should stop sucking her thumb and that she will need braces in the next couple of years as she has a hole in the middle of her teeth when she closes them (open bite). No surprise there.

But then he said that he didn't think this alone would work and she may need her jaws realigned.

Just googled and it seems that jaw surgery may be required for an open bite. It seems like a very scary operation.

AIBU to feel like I should have done a lot more.... not sure what...but more.

psst.. don't tell anyone but I am 32 nearly and I still suck my thumb sometimes. My Grandad sucked his thumb until he died (it was cancer, nothing to do with thumb sucking)

I sucked my thumb until I was 11. My parents tried everything, nothing worked, and I really think there was nothing else they could have done. The only way I stopped was braces, as my thumb didn't fit anymore. So don't be too hard on yourself.

I don't think you can really do anything if she doesn't want to stop. My parents tried everything with me to no avail. When I was about 16 the orthodontist scared me a bit so I wanted to stop and manages it by putting plasters on my thumbs but after a while I went back to it. I'm 32 now and still do it in private at home. I love it and find it very relaxing. In fact, I'm doing it right now whilst I type with one thumb on my phone.... !! I do kind of wish I didn't but I think there are worse habits and at the moment I don't want to stop. I think with your daughter it has to be her decision.

I still play with my hair at 30. My sister sucks her fingers and has a comforter at 23. Normal.

Sorry OP. You're not a rubbish mum, you probably thought she'd grow out of it, like most people do.

Actually posts like this scare me. My DS started sucking his thumb at 3m and when I asked the hv how I could stop him she made a face at me and told me its not a big deal like I was stupid. Now he's 22m and still sucks and his teeth already are growing around the shape of his thumb. I don't know where to start to stop him. I really don't want him to ruin his teeth and jaw.