Thumb ****ing

[spinnymarie]

Ok, I know this is a common topic, and I did skim through many threads - as well as get some great techniques for ending the habit! - but I didn't see an answer to my question:
At what age do you start trying to get them to stop ****ing their thumbs? Do you gradually phase it out like a pacifier? (i.e. only letting them at naps and night at first, etc)
I have one thumb ****er, just turned two, and he doesn't do it all that often. When he is sleeping for sure, or just waking up, but otherwise not often. My niece, however, ****s her thumb ALL the time.
And between the two of them when she is here (only 1 day/wk) it is grossing me out.
So when do you start enforcing the no-thumb-****ing?

I also saw some people mentioned some *kids* hand sanitizer for this issue -- is that real and where can I get it!?

[blandino]

Around two, I start discouraging it during non-nap/comfort times. Right now I have one 3yo DCB who does it at nap and if I see him ****ing his thumb not at nap, I nicely say "DCB, thumb" and that solves it.

To me it is only an issue because of germs. I really don't care that the child is doing it, but the germs, string of saliva, and wet toys are my reasons for controlling it.

Basically when I stop expecting toys to be mouthed 18m-2, is when I expect thumbs out of mouths.

[Childminder]

I had one start at 3.5. What do you do in that case?

[kathiemarie]

I had one start at 3.5. What do you do in that case?

Did he use a paci. before? If he did he just replaced it with his thumb. I would give him back the paci to use at nap and bed time or when he is overly stressed (on his nap mat or a special place.)

[sly red cid]

thumb ****ing

For DD the dentist at her first visit told her that it would mess up her tooth growth and she should stop. She did that night!So maybe a visit to Dr. Dentist may work.At three they should be going for their first dentist visit very soon anyway.

[Childminder]

[QUOTEDid he use a paci. before? If he did he just replaced it with his thumb. I would give him back the paci to use at nap and bed time or when he is overly stressed (on his nap mat or a special place.)[/QUOTE]

No paci ever. She's 6.5 now and still an issue.

For DD the dentist at her first visit told her that it would mess up her tooth growth and she should stop. She did that night!So maybe a visit to Dr. Dentist may work.At three they should be going for their first dentist visit very soon anyway.

Hasn't worked.

[jessrlee]

I have a girl that ****s two fingers. It drives me bat crap crazy! I just remind her 456,555 times a day to remove them.

[spinnymarie]

So my neice should be starting to get this at 22 months then I'll be sure to tell her to yank her thumb. Although I'm sure that will cause a myriad of other issues, if you seen any other posts.
Someday they will find other care for her...

[kathiemarie]

[QUOTEDid he use a paci. before? If he did he just replaced it with his thumb. I would give him back the paci to use at nap and bed time or when he is overly stressed (on his nap mat or a special place.)

No paci ever. She's 6.5 now and still an issue.



Hasn't worked.[/QUOTE]

It might be her way of dealing with stress. Talk to her about why she ****s her thumb or start watching when she does. I was a thumb ****er until way into my adult years. It was my way of dealing with stress. (kinda like a smoker)

[LadyPearl]

Thumb ****ing

I have a 2-yr old in my care and he is a massive thumb ****er. I find it almost gross because he's touching everything and it seems like there are so many sick people in our area right now. I tell him "fingers out," but it's like 150 times a day! I don't think his parents care so it's my issue, I guess..... Any tricks?

[daycarediva]

I have a 2-yr old in my care and he is a massive thumb ****er. I find it almost gross because he's touching everything and it seems like there are so many sick people in our area right now. I tell him "fingers out," but it's like 150 times a day! I don't think his parents care so it's my issue, I guess..... Any tricks?

Pain in the butt, but I have them wash their hands every single time I see it. I also say things like 'thumbs are for nap time. It reduces it, haven't successfully eliminated it completely with my 3yo thumb ****er.

[Annalee]

Pain in the butt, but I have them wash their hands every single time I see it. I also say things like 'thumbs are for nap time. It reduces it, haven't successfully eliminated it completely with my 3yo thumb ****er.

As much issue that thumb****ing can cause, maybe we should educate parents and encourage the paci at birth even if the child is trying to use their thumb. My nephew is 11 and still struggles with thumb****ing. His parents also has a massive dentist bill along with a deformed thumb that is always infected. May be cute when they are little but not so much later. :confused:

[LadyPearl]

I never encouraged my own children to **** their thumb because you can't take it away like you can a pacifier. I also have a 7-yr old here that I have to tell to stop as well. I don't think she even realizes that she's doing it. The younger one's teeth seem to be pushed out a bit. My biggest concern is the spread of germs. He ****s his thumb and then has his hands all over my house and the toys. The thought is icky!