Thumb sucking

My 9-month old is a thumb sucking baby. I am fine with this as it does not affects her development.


She sucks her thumb to sooth herself to sleep. Due to the constant sucking, her thumb is red and blistered. What can I do to help her? Is there any oilment or lotion out there that will sooth her skin and yet is safe for babies (i.e. edible)?

I think the book says that thumb sucking is okay for babies. It is a form of comfort for them and we should allow it. It will not affect their teeth if they stop before 4-5 years. As for developmentally.... I haven't heard that one. Yikes!!! My little baby also sucks her thumb to sleep. Her thumb is also red and blistered but I let it be. It's better than applying things on it. Don't worry, they'll stop when it hurts ;-)

found this thread from a long time ago....


my baby sucks his thumb to soothe himself at bedtime and during the night. i think it's great because i don't have to use the dummy and he can self-soothe. but someone warned me that it's bad for the baby's teeth....how true is that?

It is not a good habit to get into as it not only affects their teeth as they start to grow - but affects their whole mouth formation.


As much as I hate dummies/ pacifiers - at least you can throw them away - you can't do this with a thumb or fingers and the child finds it very hard to break this habit when they are older.


Had a friend who sucked her thumb well into her teens- had badly formed teeth and mouth as a result (in the 60's/70's) and have nieces who are now 6 & 7 who still suck their fingers when they are tired - again causing problems that the dentist picked up without him knowing previously about this habit.


It is a habit that needs to be avoided where you can.


My 4 kids did not have a pacifier or sucked their thumbs - not sure why but everything they needed suckling in the first few weeks after they were born I just breastfed them and they did not seem to need the extra sucking after a while.


http://www.ada.org/public/topics/thumbsucking.asp

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_thumbsuc_hhg.htm

this is a worrying thing....

the sucking takes place when he is tired and falling asleep. based on one of the links you posted, it's one of the most difficult to eliminate!! most other times he doesn't really do it.

we have dummies but he has never taken to it (even before he found thumb). in fact, when i offer it these days, he sticks his tongue out or gives it a hard suckle before taking it out of his mouth.


the only thing i can take comfort in is that only after 4 years of age does it become a problem. but at the same time, i imagine it'll be a nightmare weaning a small kid off his thumb.


urghhh...to think i thought it was great that he could fall asleep in his own cot at bedtime without my help!

he sucks when i'm busy and can't give him immediate attention and when he is sleepy.


i spoke to my aunt who has 3 kids. said whether dummies/thumbs/soft toys, etc....all these comfort sucking is just not good if it goes on for too long. but bearing in mind that mine is only 17 weeks, she advised me to wait and see first...he might just grow out of this phase (hopefully)!!!