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Behaviour/development

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

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Original poster

How to stop finger sucking

15 replies

fragglerocker · 20/03/2012 15:08

DS is 3 and since he was a baby he has sucked 2 of his fingers. He does it when he's tired mostly or when he's relaxing. It's a comfort thing, I know. It's got to the point now though that he has 2 'holes' on his fingers cos he sucks that hard and when he's in bed we can hear him over the tv downstairs! I do worry that it's affecting his speech (he doesn't always take his fingers out to speak) but his nursery say his speech is at 'normal' level and nothing to worry about. Should I be discouraging it? I'm thinking it could make him do it more if I try to stop him. If we're sat reading or watching tv I hold his hand so he can't do it but he slyly pulls it away! He seems to get a lot of colds and I don't think sucking his fingers is helping, germ wise. Any advice?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Flisspaps · 20/03/2012 15:09

No idea, but if you work out how to stop it let me know - DH often still sucks one of his fingers absent-mindedly when he's sitting around.

stinkybumsmum · 20/03/2012 15:20

Difficult cause its not something you can take away like with a dummy or a comfort toy. Maybe some form of distraction. Just look out for his teeth cause if he has his fingers in his mouth alot his teeth could shift

Original poster

fragglerocker · 20/03/2012 15:28

Yes teeth is another problem but he's never been to the dentist so not sure if it has caused any problems. Teeth brushing is a fight which is why we've never made it to the dentist, if he doesn't like me near his mouth i don't think he will be impressed with a dentist! I do know I will have to take him though. I've tried putting plasters on his fingers but he just says 'no fingers not poorly'. I haven't tried the nail biting stuff but I don't think it will deter him. As much as we could stop it when he's with us he will always do it in bed to fall asleep. He never had a dummy for the fear of him never giving it up but it would have been easier to get rid of that than his fingers!

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 20/03/2012 15:31

In my experience, it is impossible to do without the cooperation of the child.

stinkybumsmum · 20/03/2012 15:37

Maybe taking him to the dentist would be a good idea. They will be used to kids playing up not wanting other peoples hands in their mouth, and maybe if the dentist told him he might make his teeth poorly from sucking his fingers?

Also then you'll know how his teeth are doing too

SydneyB · 20/03/2012 15:40

Probably not very helpful but I did this as a child until quite an advanced age - certainly into my teens and still (at a more advanced age now) get the urge to do it from time to time. My parents nagged and nagged me. To reassure you my speech was fine and my teeth too! It's just like thumb-sucking.

Original poster

fragglerocker · 20/03/2012 15:41

Hmmm...Maybe we will have to wait til he is ready to give it up himself. I think he's embarassed by it, we were with some friends at the weekend and when one of them saw him doing it he pulled his fingers out and turned away. He will happily suck away in front of us but if we are with other people he is very aware of it. Maybe that is my discouraging him that has made him feel ashamed about it in front of other people. Have just realised I could have it 10 times worse

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Original poster

fragglerocker · 20/03/2012 15:41

have made it 10 times worse

OP posts:

Original poster

fragglerocker · 20/03/2012 15:43

Sorry x post. And yes I will get a dentist appointment made. I might get some tooth brushing tips aswell!

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 20/03/2012 15:43

DSs orthodontist (who is correcting DS1's thumb sucking damage0 recommends a pair of long socks fastened round each arm at the top. I reckon a pair of tights would do the job too - one arm in each leg, crotch part behind their back!

Original poster

fragglerocker · 20/03/2012 15:45

Off to find some tights....

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stinkybumsmum · 20/03/2012 15:47

Just bear in mind the first visit maybe quite stressing but in the long run it will get better. Make a big deal of how much of a big boy he's being by going and plan something exciting for after the dentist.

I've got my fingers crossed for you!!

PastGrace · 20/03/2012 15:53

Apparently I used to do this when I was small and my mum was starting to worry but I fell over and grazed the two fingers I sucked. Never sucked them again. Obviously not suggesting you deliberately injure your child, but could you maybe put a dressing on them (with some micropore) just for 24 hours to see if you could break the cycle? A bit like a less-obvious tights/long sock contraption!

Or that stuff you put on nails to stop nail-biting. Can small children have that?

Original poster

fragglerocker · 20/03/2012 17:26

You can get a thumb sucking stuff, like the nail biting stuff for children from 3 years. It says not to use it from too young an age though cos they can get to like the taste. MIght have to give it a try.
stinkybumsmum I've got him a book about going to the dentist and we've read it a few times so he's got an idea of what happens. He is registered at a dentist we just haven't made the trip yet! I was thinking of having an appointment at the same time so he can that mummy does it too. He knows teeth brushing is important, he says he will get Shrek teeth if he doesn't brush them but he still puts up a fight.

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 20/03/2012 19:47

the nail biting stuff didn't work for DS1 :)

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