Seriously, I’m at my wits’ end with my 4-year-old and the thumb sucking. We’ve tried the whole “gentle reminders” thing, sticker charts, even that weird-tasting nail polish, but nothing sticks for more than a day or two. It’s like she just needs it to fall asleep or when she’s bored. Is this just a phase I have to ride out, or did anyone find something that actually worked? Would love to hear if anyone else is in the same boat (or maybe has gotten out of it).
It’s like she just needs it to fall asleep or when she’s bored.
Totally get this. My niece was the same way—nothing seemed to distract her for long. Have you noticed if it’s worse at certain times of day, or is it just constant? I’ve read that some kids really do just outgrow it, but I also worry about dental issues if it goes on too long. Did your pediatrician or dentist have any specific concerns about her teeth yet? Sometimes hearing it from them makes a difference for the kid, oddly enough.
I also worry about dental issues if it goes on too long.
Honestly, you’re not wrong to think about that. I’ve seen a few kids where the thumb habit started to shift their front teeth forward a bit, but it’s not always a big deal if they stop early enough. My own kiddo was hooked on thumb-sucking at bedtime, and our dentist just kept an eye on things—no panic, just gentle reminders. Sometimes hearing it from someone in a white coat does make them pause, even if parents have said the same thing a hundred times.
Sometimes hearing it from someone in a white coat does make them pause, even if parents have said the same thing a hundred times.
That’s definitely true in my experience. My youngest granddaughter was a serious thumb-sucker, and it wasn’t until our dentist gently pointed out her “bunny teeth” that she started to reconsider. I’ve seen some mild shifting in her front teeth, but nothing that didn’t sort itself out after she stopped. Honestly, I think a little patience goes a long way—no need to panic unless you see real changes.
Dentist with a sense of humor, eh? That’s a good trick—I should’ve tried borrowing a white coat myself. I remember my own daughter’s thumb was practically glued to her mouth until kindergarten. We did the “gentle reminders” routine, but honestly, what finally helped was making a silly bedtime game out of it. She got to tuck her thumb in with her teddy bear every night and, weirdly enough, it worked better than any chart or polish. Sometimes I think kids just need their own odd little ritual to let go. Teeth all turned out fine too—no bunny teeth here, just a slightly stubborn streak that still pops up now and then!
