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Original poster

Cunning Thumb-sucking Fix ....

62 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 22/09/2006 17:16

DS1 has been thumb-sucking forever. He's almost five. He sucks his thumb throughout the day. His new school are not too keen on it, and suggested a solution - he wears a plaster on the appropriate thumb.

We just started today, and he seems pretty happy with it. It certainly helps that he wants to stop sucking his thumb, and he's happy to wear the plasters (batman ones). We've agreed he won't have to wear them to bed, as I don't think nighttime thumb sucking is that bad, and anyway, one battle at a time ...

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FrannyandZooey · 22/09/2006 21:39

Yup I reckon so

Quick better start training all non thumb suckers ASAP

let's develop a substance you can paint onto their thumbs to make them taste more delicious, what do you think?

Medulla · 22/09/2006 21:41

LOL not sure what the rest of mumsnet will think of that but I think they will be interested in our piece of scientific evidence!!!!!

BarefootJasnem · 22/09/2006 21:42

I sucked my thumb into my teens, mouth full of fillings (good oral hygiene, sweets once a week as a child)
I also have a massive overbite, but this is mostly a family trait rather than a thumb sucking problem. DD1 has the overbite, dd2 sucks her thumb.

Medulla · 22/09/2006 21:43

bugger

BarefootJasnem · 22/09/2006 21:44

You can call me the exception that proves the rule

FrannyandZooey · 22/09/2006 21:45

Yes but Jasnem

THINK HOW MUCH WORSE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN had you not sucked your thumb so assiduously

(think we've got her there, Medulla)

BarefootJasnem · 22/09/2006 21:46
Grin
Medulla · 22/09/2006 21:46

Its still 66.6% of people interviewed had no fillings after sucking their thumb beyond childhood

Medulla · 22/09/2006 21:47

Nice one Franny, yep you've got a very valid point there

BarefootJasnem · 22/09/2006 21:47

Well I won't be trying to stop DD2, just in case. (Not that I think anything I could do would help, as she really doesn't want to stop)

FrannyandZooey · 22/09/2006 21:50

Go upstairs now and make sure your children are sucking. Wake them up if necessary. It's for their own good.

Medulla · 22/09/2006 21:51

We should warn everyone - go now, wake your children make them suck their thumbs NOW!

FrannyandZooey · 22/09/2006 22:00

Well, erm, you start the thread hey Medulla? I'm just a bit busy right now

JackieNo · 22/09/2006 22:03
FrannyandZooey · 22/09/2006 22:05

ooh ooh Jackie

do you know you are my personal product queen? I want you on my pay roll permanently. You can job share with MrsBadger who is of course my general style and image consultant.

JackieNo · 22/09/2006 22:06

.

SoupDragon · 22/09/2006 22:06

I have no problems with being reminded that DS1 is a child. However, his thumbsucking has forced his top teeth forwards, his lower teeth backwards and reshaped the roof of his mouth. And do you know what? I'd rather that stopped now before his adult teeth come in.

I was a thumbsucker too and it didn't affect my teeth one iota (both my brothers required orthodontic treatment, I didn't) but this is not the case with dS1.

FarTooEmbarrassed · 22/09/2006 22:08

I still sniff my cuddly!! (Well it's been changed a few times)
I'm 33!!

FrannyandZooey · 22/09/2006 22:10

SD I am not talking about people who need to stop their children thumbsucking for medical or dental reasons

I am thinking about the whole feeding to a routine thing, giving dummies, taking away dummies, controlling what goes in our children's mouths and when, because we seem to feel uncomfortable with them needing oral comfort.

SoupDragon · 22/09/2006 22:14

It's all the "oh it does no harm" "Let them carry on" "aren't parents cruel and evil to stop them" stuff that annoys me. Makes me come over all like this. As an aside, BabyDragon likes to try and stick the wicker ball thingy in her mouth. Don't think it'll spoil her (non existent) teeth though.

FrannyandZooey · 22/09/2006 22:25

Aw Soupy, I think people are mean to stop them when there is no good reason. I don't think anything of the sort where there is a good reason, like in your case. I'm truly sorry if you felt I was criticising you. I am against meddling where there is no need but I will try not to let my posts become so dogmatic. I often seem to rub you up the wrong way

And nice try on the bat but I DON'T THINK SO Missy

iota · 22/09/2006 22:26

ds2 stopped thumbsucking at the age of 4 after I threatened him with the sticking plaster.
( I also tried dipping his thumb in vinegar - which was duly reported back to me by his nursery nurse keyworker )

SoupDragon · 22/09/2006 22:27

don't care becuase I got Californiafrau on her own thread

iota · 22/09/2006 22:27

( and I needed to stop him as his bottom teeth were being pushed backwards)

mum18772 · 22/09/2006 22:28

Hi can i join the argument for thumb-sucking!? I am 34 and sucked my thumb well into my 20s and I only have 2 fillings, strong teeth and no protruding front teeth! My 18 mth DS is a thumb sucker and my only worry at the moment is that he has a space between his two front baby teeth - dentist says this is down to thumb sucking - but not to worry at this early stage - I agree - the saliva thing is good for dental hygiene!