tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post6071726286618108514..comments2024-03-29T03:38:06.113-07:00Comments on Do They Have Salsa in China?: Do your kiddos suck their thumbs?M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-21155990274171526652009-01-25T21:49:00.000-08:002009-01-25T21:49:00.000-08:00La Nina sucked her fingers compulsively until Jun ...La Nina sucked her fingers compulsively until Jun 16, of last year. I remember the date because we ended up in ER with a badly infected finger, which had to be numbed, then drained, then she went on antibiotics for two weeks. It was quite traumatic. The doctor told her that if she sucked her fingers again she'd probably get another infection. And the fear of the pain ended her sucking issue once and for all. <BR/><BR/>When I was worried, I read that if you (i.e.Mom) makes a big deal of the thumb/finger sucking, then it makes the kids more determined. That if you lay low, then you can be their ally when they decide to do it on their own. It definitely worked that way for me. When she was struggling, she was willing to talk to me about how hard it was and we celebrated the little milestones. One week, no fingers, one month no fingers and even now she'll ask how long it's been.<BR/><BR/>We still catch her sucking her fingers when she's asleep, but I've never seen her do it while she's awake. Just my experience. Good luck.One Lucky Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05746848519653479448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-41031619194276947012009-01-25T05:19:00.000-08:002009-01-25T05:19:00.000-08:00My totally unprofessional opinion is not to sweat ...My totally unprofessional opinion is not to sweat it! <BR/>My oldest sucked her thumb. When she stops texting long enough to speak she has perfect diction and straight teeth. <BR/>The next was a pacifier junkie. He slurs R's and needs braces. <BR/>The third was also a binky user. No braces no speech issues. Used the binky much longer than #2.<BR/>The last but not least sucks her first two fingers. Didi not actually start this till last year at age two (we moved for the first time in her life).So far the only speech issue is getting her to stop talking. Teeth look fine but are baby teeth. Time will tell.Cindy and Co.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14842907862379054090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-73027040977013044932009-01-21T10:35:00.000-08:002009-01-21T10:35:00.000-08:00Please keep us posted on what you do ... DD at 4 w...Please keep us posted on what you do ... <BR/><BR/>DD at 4 was told by her pediatrician not to suck her thumb anymore and we were amazed to see her stop immediately. Good, right? Well, a month later I realize I had not trimmed her fingernails in a long while and sure enough, she transferred her soothing from sucking to biting and peeling her fingernails! (Have to say, she does a good job and anyone else would think her mom trimmed them but no!) <BR/><BR/>Now she grabs her lovely (which used to be only for bedtime) and says "I need this to not bite my fingers!" And I find her hiding her hand under the lovely, sucking her thumb or nibbling on a finger. So things are worse and not sure how to proceed! It is definitely a a combo of self-soothing and a major unconscious habit. I wish we had left it alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-38298845130426741232009-01-19T13:09:00.000-08:002009-01-19T13:09:00.000-08:00Thank you, everyone, for the suggestions and stori...Thank you, everyone, for the suggestions and stories. You have given us A LOT to think about and we really appreciate it.M3https://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-66234899799274483342009-01-19T11:49:00.000-08:002009-01-19T11:49:00.000-08:00my daughter is 4.5 yrs (adopted from china). she h...my daughter is 4.5 yrs (adopted from china). she has always been a thumb sucker. however, her peditrician recommended that i let her know it's okay to suck her thumb in private places (car, home) and not in public. <BR/><BR/>this way, if she is still sucking her thumb in kinder the kids won't make fun of her (and as a teacher, they do.) my daughter understood this concept (private v. public) right away and it has not been a problem. <BR/><BR/>her dentist told me not to worry about it until her permanent teeth come in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-19291372851646126352009-01-19T08:01:00.000-08:002009-01-19T08:01:00.000-08:00You know, I have so much to say on this subject I ...You know, I have so much to say on this subject I think I need to do my own post. I LOVE the pictures of the girls!Amyesqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355075672409217323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-84019210857427787532009-01-18T20:28:00.000-08:002009-01-18T20:28:00.000-08:00My eldest daughter sucked her thumb ALL the time. ...My eldest daughter sucked her thumb ALL the time. Personally, I thought it was adorable. However, my dentist and doctor told me to try and get her to stop. Nothing really helped until winter hit and her thumb was so dry and cracked and bleeding from sucking that she would cry. I explained to her that if she stopped sucking it, it would stop hurting. She never sucked it again. Wow.Middle-Aged Moihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05687022843803093290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-42695454026730635882009-01-18T16:46:00.000-08:002009-01-18T16:46:00.000-08:00My youngest daughter is 8.5, and she's always been...My youngest daughter is 8.5, and she's always been a double finger sucker. I remember she was 2ish and I asked her to stop and pulled her fingers out of her mouth and the Mother of All Meltdowns ensued. I never ever did that again LOL... Anyway, she stopped sucking her fingers on her own when she was about 6 I guess, but they still automatically go in her mouth every night, she just can't stop it, it happens regardless of whether she tries to stop or not. So, I figure she'll have to get braces anyway since her teeth are like all over the place, and eventually she WILL stop sucking them even at night. So I have no helpful advice, it's just something we've learned to live with for now.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03254744026096810022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-54711819868740045462009-01-18T15:55:00.000-08:002009-01-18T15:55:00.000-08:00I sucked my thumb until I was 7, and coincidentall...I sucked my thumb until I was 7, and coincidentally, so my oldest did the same. Funny China story: We were out sightseeing one day, and E (11 months at the time) was sucking her thumb, her head resting on my shoulder. An elderly Chinese woman approached us smiling, but tsk'ing and pulled out E's thumb. E frowned at her, turned her head away from the woman and stuck her other thumb in. :)<BR/><BR/>My only rule was "no talking with your thumb in your mouth" -- and as she got older, there was no thumb-sucking in public (except in the car). By the time she was 6, she knew she needed to stop to take care of her teeth, and because big kids just don't suck their thumbs. It was hard, but we did it in phases. She's 8 now, and it only slips in at night from time to time.<BR/><BR/>We saw the orthodontist for the first time last summer. Her mouth is going to need some work, but he told us he wouldn't be able to do anything until she stopped sucking her thumb (he offered an appliance to help, which we declined). That was the extra push we needed.<BR/><BR/>Hope that helps!dimplesanddumplingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13685106496880073071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-46479857073126349092009-01-18T13:32:00.000-08:002009-01-18T13:32:00.000-08:00What creative dressers your girls are!!! Too cute!...What creative dressers your girls are!!! Too cute!<BR/><BR/>DD2 sucks her thumb and pointer finger. She did this non-stop in China and now at almost 4, she sucks at night and during the day when she is tired or worried. I know she sucks to self soothe and while we gently tell her "no thumb" we haven't put in place a plan to stop. I had picked up a book at the library about stopping sucking, and the idea was to set up a chart and have the child work towards rewards for not sucking. Lots of ideas - keep us posted on what you decide to do!Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09071305000043725223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-70526805833656086302009-01-18T13:08:00.000-08:002009-01-18T13:08:00.000-08:00I just wanted to add that I worked hard to get my ...I just wanted to add that I worked hard to get my son to take a pacifier hoping it would help him not suck his thumb, but I didn't do it because him sucking his thumb would bother me, I have heard that it is great for self soothing but I didn't want him to go through what I went through with my grandma trying to get me to quit. It was awful everything they did trying to get me to stop.Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01918621140126333891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-57916606490426841332009-01-17T23:36:00.000-08:002009-01-17T23:36:00.000-08:00Gorgeous pics of the girls chalk drawing!Have no p...Gorgeous pics of the girls chalk drawing!<BR/><BR/>Have no pearls of wisdom.. but have no doubt, I'll be coming back for some of yours in about 6 weeks?!!OziMumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09813480734366566560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-62674481672558947442009-01-17T22:10:00.000-08:002009-01-17T22:10:00.000-08:00I am 47 years old and I sucked my thumb until I wa...I am 47 years old and I sucked my thumb until I was 7. I gave it up of my own accord and my teeth are perfectly straight.<BR/><BR/>Let her be, she'll give up when she is ready, and until then, continue to be the well adjusted little girl that she already is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-55435510863095690292009-01-17T21:33:00.000-08:002009-01-17T21:33:00.000-08:00Malka still sleeps wit her paci, and she will unti...Malka still sleeps wit her paci, and she will until the cows come home, for as long as I care! ;)<BR/><BR/>I sucked my thumb till goodness knows when, and yes, I needed a retainer, and braces. <BR/><BR/>Malka's teeth are already SO bad, we just accept the fact that she'll need orthodonture work. I'm reluctant to take away a source of comfort for her, that helps ensure a restful night.Shellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03159550437519461534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-54777980277102288162009-01-17T20:00:00.000-08:002009-01-17T20:00:00.000-08:00Oh such a hot topic. My daughter (2 years old) ju...Oh such a hot topic. My daughter (2 years old) just quit cold turkey. It is funny the advice that you get. Thumbsuckers tell you to leave them alone, non-thumbsuckers say STOP NOW!! I was a non-thumbsucker and couldn't wait for her to stop!! I dreaded the thought of trying to break her. We have so many pictures of her where she is sucking her thumb, even one professional photograph - she always had her thumb in her mouth. She now says "babies suck thumb." Sorry, I don't have any advice, but maybe that's a good thing!!awaitingmissemilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516000591620086044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-15013948902979574122009-01-17T19:15:00.000-08:002009-01-17T19:15:00.000-08:00Funny...snowboots in Californa and with princess c...Funny...snowboots in Californa and with princess costumes. As for the thumb: I am living proof of thumbsucking. I sucked my thumb until I was eight. I only stopped because my mom had the orthodontist put in a pokey thing on the roof of my mouth. My pediatriciam was so against it. He said I would just turn to something else and I did. Biting my nails. I had horrible teeth, braces twice, so when my oldest started to cuk his thumb I tried some "Thumb" it is a liquid that you paint on and it tasts nasty. I decided if it worked quickly, great. If not, I wasn't going to force him until he was ready. I didn't want him to turn to nail biting like I had. Luckily, it worked with in days.<BR/><BR/>My opinion: after all that, sorry so long winded. Wait and see if she is ready....on her own.laurelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13051765178387344518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-84187049238937541182009-01-17T16:32:00.000-08:002009-01-17T16:32:00.000-08:00PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE...if you get any good ideas o...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE...if you get any good ideas on how to get that dreaded thumb out of the mouth...Please POST IT! My DD#2, Mia has been sucking that thing since China 2 1/2 years ago and she's now 4 1/2. At daycare they tell her it's only for babies but she'll sneak it in like an alcoholic when no one's looking! I figured I'd let it go while in China, but, come on, it's 2 1/2 yrs later!!! Help me too!!! PLEASE???<BR/><BR/>Doreen in Montreal single mom to Faith-Jiangxi & Mia-SichuanDoreenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13373558769930366240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-56478347125071842312009-01-17T13:47:00.000-08:002009-01-17T13:47:00.000-08:00When I was younger I was a thumb sucker, my parent...When I was younger I was a thumb sucker, my parents and grandparents did everything they could do to stop me. Nothing worked, then finally when I turned 6 I decided I was a big girl and stopped sucking my thumb on my own. <BR/>I never needed braces, my teeth are perfectly straight. Sucking my thumb caused no long term damage it was worse having my parents try everything to stop it. <BR/>Also, I talked to my doctor about pacifier use this week because my son turned one and he said that a person could suck on a pacifier until they are 47 and there would still be no damage done to their teeth, I would think it is the same with thumbs. <BR/>I hope this helps, good luck.Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01918621140126333891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-37524637314191353902009-01-17T12:54:00.000-08:002009-01-17T12:54:00.000-08:00A good friend had one time told us "Braces are che...A good friend had one time told us "Braces are cheaper than therapy" My little sister still sucks her thumb and sucks it so much that she has blister type things on it.<BR/>The question of is it guarantee they will need braces is not positive- we have another friend who's child sucked her thumb until she was 8 and didn't need braces but i guess you never know.<BR/>Hope this helps in somewayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-7255335031196047482009-01-17T12:20:00.000-08:002009-01-17T12:20:00.000-08:00My daughter, now 17, sucked her thumb to age 14 (b...My daughter, now 17, sucked her thumb to age 14 (by then, she was able to control it herself to just night-time). She's the only one in our family to need no orthodontics. As Michelle said, "she has a way to comfort herself when she needs it." She's very well adjusted, has developed a fine sense of Who She Is and what she isn't.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130041597518899210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-11755694704326860732009-01-17T08:47:00.000-08:002009-01-17T08:47:00.000-08:00Love the pictures. As for sucking thumbs, Shayna ...Love the pictures. As for sucking thumbs, Shayna does not (we still have the paci) but I did for over nine years. I gave it up on my own and hated more than anything when family tried to get me to stop. I still remember the things that were said. Anyway, I feel like I became a pretty good individual even though I sucked my thumb. I do not have any words of wisdom, just be gentle about the subject because I still remember things from that time in my life. Glad you see you are all doing well.Beth and Shaynahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12433884170426276611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-6892176011563820192009-01-16T23:04:00.000-08:002009-01-16T23:04:00.000-08:00My oldest daughter sucks her index and third finge...My oldest daughter sucks her index and third fingers. She only does it at night and when she needs something to comfort her. We noticed when we got her (at her orphanage) she was sucking her fingers to calm herself. She eventually stopped sucking her fingters when she was in kindergarten. We talk with her pediatrician about (she too suck her thumb) our problem and she told me if this is comforting for her, it was okay. She too said eventualy the sucking will stop. <BR/>Mary, I wouldn't worry too much because my daughter gave up sucking her fingers because we told her big girls don't suck fingers anymore. She was also getting pressure from her classmates. My daughter found comfort in having gazillion stuff animals instead of sucking her fingers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-78813277930258235882009-01-16T21:49:00.000-08:002009-01-16T21:49:00.000-08:00Martina never sucked her thumb, because she only s...Martina never sucked her thumb, because she only sucked on things with milk in them when she was a baby. Pacis really made her mad. Where was the milk?<BR/><BR/>So, I'll have to tell you about my own experience as a kid. I sucked my thumb for 5 1/2 years. My mom told me right before I started kg that I couldn't go to kg with the big kids and suck my thumb. I said OK, and quit cold turkey with no struggle. I did have braces, but so did my sister, who was not a thumb-sucker.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05892768983060584130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-21430228129458923612009-01-16T16:45:00.000-08:002009-01-16T16:45:00.000-08:00I was a thumb-sucker myself until about age 8. My ...I was a thumb-sucker myself until about age 8. My parents were worried about my teeth, so asked my older brother's orthodontist for suggestions on getting me to stop. They wrapped my thumb-sucking arm with elastic bandage at night before bed -- the idea was that when I bent my arm to place my thumb into my mouth, the I would feel the stretch of the elastic to remind me to stop. Honestly, I suppose that the elastic bandage really didn't do much to prevent me from sticking the thumb in my mouth, but I did stop -- mostly because I hated that my arm had to be wrapped up at night.vivacemusicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03938237542011582797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-51247004973626492052009-01-16T16:09:00.000-08:002009-01-16T16:09:00.000-08:00My son sucked his thumb until he was six. I worri...My son sucked his thumb until he was six. I worried and worried about it, but the pediatrician told us to not bring it up, he would decide when he didn't want it anymore. He also told us that it isn't a problem until they start losing teeth and the permanent ones start to come in. <BR/><BR/>Well, my son lost his first tooth and I panicked and asked the Dentist. He too said not to worry too much but that it was time to start trying to get my son to quit. That within the next year, he really needed to be done with it or there would be damage. He recommended a book called "David Decides" and it TOTALLY worked for us. It put my son in control of WANTING to quit. <BR/><BR/>Granted, the book could use some updating as the pictures look like something from the 70's and 80's!!! But the point of it was, it worked. My son stopped pretty much that night and HE decided how he was going to do it.<BR/><BR/>Best of Luck.<BR/><BR/>BTW, I Love your blog - check it most everyday!<BR/><BR/>Mary in NEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com