What is the best way to get a 3-year-old to quit sucking his thumb?

Answer

You can apply some eatable liquid that is bitter in taste, to his thumb. U can also use the cruse extract of Aolevera plant.but please see to it that it should be eatable material do not use anything else.

Rizwan.

Answer

I found that if you find something non toxic that tastes bad and let it dry on their fingers, they will keep it out of their mouth. Yellow listerene is good, as is vinegar. If those do not work, think a Mild pepper sauce or such.

Answer

My 4 year old daughter still sucks her thumb & if I was to put anything on her thumb she'll just wash it off while I'm not looking.

Answer

Do you give them a binky to suck on instead? That might help. If you already do, they do make a non-toxic substance called "bitter apple" that you can rub onto his thumb while he sleeps. (or to keep your cat from chewing through wires!) Ask around your neighborhood and local stores to see where it is carried.

Answer

Using a binky is okay when the child is still young, but be careful of the kids are older. My sister's children, ages 3.5 and 5, still use their binkys. She has tried to take them away, but the kids just start sucking their thumbs, instead. The pediatrician recommended that she poke pin holes in each binky, so the kids lose suction when they use them. This way, supposedly, they will lose interest in sucking altogether when they are not getting the expected reward/sensation. The idea is that they feel they are still in control, but don't get as much pleasure out of it and eventually stop. We've also taken to encouraging them to use their blankets instead to comfort themselves when tired or upset, since these can be taken away and don't cause dental problems!

Answer

i sucked my thumb until i was 10 and every time my mom put any nasty taste on my thumb i washed it off or sucked it off

Parenting and Children Answer

He will stop when he is ready. Help him learn to calm down when he is nervous or unhappy and eventually he won't need his thumb. Keep him active and using his hands, you can play baseball, fingerpaint, bake cookies or anything else really fun while sucking your thumb. Turn off the tv and send him outside. If he still sucks his thumb when tired or sleeping that will eventually stop.

First answer by Siddi Rizwan Damad. Last edit by Deavaindra. Contributor trust: 409 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 167 [recommend question]

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