3 yo sucking arm

[CoonRapids]

Hello

My 3 year old dd has been sucking her forearm since she was 18 months old. She does it alot, particularly when tired or bored and has a permanent blister on her arm. When would be the best time to try and wean her away from this habit? And how on earth could we do it? We've just let it go up till now. In fact haven't really thought that much about it before, just accepted as something she does! It looks like she's breastfeeding her arm....!!

Thanks

I used to have a habit of picking at my arm and basically had a sore on it in the crease (elbow like area) for about 3 years of my life. I now have a light scar in that area too.
My parents I remember at first said nothing and then started telling me to stop and sometimes would get very angry and yell. And I remember the thing that stuck with me the most was that I'd get cancer from it... I have to say that this still haunts me a bit. So, be careful what you say if you say it... I didn't feel like I had a lot of control over it...It was something I did without thinking when I as you said I was tired or bored. But having my parents tell me I was doing it did make me aware of it at least.

But I'd suggest offering her/ finding another way to help her deal with what ever boredom or anxiety is causing it.
Maybe offer a soft spoon to suck on, or a lovely special toy she can cuddle instead. And maybe, if you allow such things, after a week? of not sucking she could have a special lolly? I remember I was given a special bandage I got to pick out and put over my sore (which might be an option for you too).
But to be completely honest I just grew out of it.

anyone else with ideas?

anyone else with ideas?

My daughter is 13 months old and also has a sore on her forearm from sucking. She definetly looks like she is breastfeeding her arm! Your the first other person I've met who's child also does this. I am assuming that she will probably stop this when we stop breastfeeding, are you feeding still?

Hi Thanks for your replies! Yes, I'm worried about making a big thing of it. I'm bf her baby brother at the moment so perhaps she's sucking more because she's in need of extra comfort and lacking attention sometimes. SO think will just try to distract her from it by giving her lots of other things to do with her hands..Yes catsfish, I haven't found anyone else with similar, ours are obv unique! Googling doesn't bring much back either. She definitely has the breast feeding latch. I stopped feeding her at 14 mo and it was a few mnths later she started this habit!

My 2yr old has just started! I know im over a decade late for this thread, bit just in case anyone else is out there a bit - no idea what to do but glad she's not the first.. If anyone has tips please say!

My daughter has done this since she was a baby. She’s almost 4 now and still sucks on her arm. The dentist said it wouldn’t cause any problems. When I see her doing it, I tell her no arm and she stops. But she does this when she’s tired, she falls asleep with her arm in her mouth. She never has sores or anything noticeable. Just something I hope she grows out of.

Thats good to know. Im trying to keep it to a bedtime thing but it`s definitely her sleep/ill signal!

I know we're a few years on.. but how did you approach this OP.. I'd be interested to hear S we're finding the same with DS

Hi I need help I am currently 19 and I still suck on my arm mostly at night i t even took a while to find people experience this too .... Let me rephrase kids , experiencing this I need serious help please

Hi! Ditto here. The 1st I’ve heard of others’ toddlers arm sucking behaviours. I went to see a paediatrician for our son when he was 2 after the arm sucking was continuing since 9mths of age. She told us not to worry and likely to grow out of it but he is now 3 and he is still stuck on his wrists what seems like 24/7 and all red and breaking the skin. It wouldn’t bother me so much if it weren’t for the big blisters and almost always looks like it’s on the brink of bleeding. I try not to nag him but it feels so hard at times. I used to be able to put bandaids on to give them time to heal but now he can just rip them off straightway. It’s driving me crazy. He probably does it if he’s anxious, bored or tired I guess and it’s also now a habit. We’ve tried bitter nail paint which he doesn’t find that bad and/or replacing it with a cuddly/teether/other toy but he prefers the arm!!

My 6 year old has sucked on her wrist since the day she was born. I thought she’d stop once in kindergarten, but she continues. Have any of the previous posters had success getting their kids to stop?

I went back to see my previous message from this post. Here’s an update! My daughter did stop sucking on her arm just before kindergarten. I kept telling her to stop and that some kids might make fun of her for doing that. She didn’t like the thought of that and stopped. The other habit that she started after that was nail biting, which has really taken a toll on her teeth. They have become cracked and fractured. But now that she’s six, she understands to stop biting them. I’m mentioning this because if they stop the arm sucking habit, be aware of other habits that can form. But yes! She did stop sucking on her arm!

Ughhh I’m having this same problem! Glad it’s not just me. Anybody has any tips on how to break it, my child is now 2 & has been doing this for about a year now. It leaves bruise-like marks and it’s getting concerning. She was last breastfed at 6 months so not sure if that plays a part in it or not.

Sorry can’t help you. My boy started the habit at 9 months (breastfed until 4 mths). He is now 4 and there is no change. Drives me nuts and looks yukky with hiccies all over both arms. Hoping peer pressure will help him to at least stop it when he is in public. He does it self sooth and have been unsuccessful replacing it with something else. I guess it’s the same as thumb sucking and quite normal in that regard.

Good day, I thought my daughter was the only kid that sucked on her arm so believe me when I tell you I am relieved to see she isn't. I stopped breast feeding when she was 6 months and she started that right away! She is now going 3 in a few months and still does it. It's definitely a comfort thing for her when she's tired, but now I find she isn't doing it more often. I try to distract her from it but it doesn't always work. She now has a permanent dark spot that is raised and the nursery has some concerns about it but the nurse came to see her a few weeks ago and didn't voice any concerns about it. Any other advice on how to get her to stop?