How to stop child's finger sucking habit?

@ann101 (518)
China
June 28, 2010 9:58pm CST
MY daughter likes to suck fingers so much these days,and I have told her it's dirty,ugly and impolite of this and even rebuke her but had no effect. Moms on mylot,do you have a good way to stop this habit?There is nothing I can do now:(
9 responses
raleyfamily
@raleyfamily (132)
• United States
29 Jun 10
I'm a mother of ten children, and I'm going to give you a different bit of advice...Leave her alone, and let her suck her finger! I am not a mother who ever took away her children's blankies, pacifiers, bottles or thumbs. I have a six year old daughter who still sucks her finger. Another daughter sucked her thumb until she was seven. People were always asking me "What are you going to DO about it?" I would answer, "Nothing. It's not bothering me." They will eventually quit on their own, especially once their peers begin to tell them only babies suck their fingers. I did have a child who's teeth had a rounded look from using a pacifier so long, but once he quit using it, his teeth fell back into place.
raleyfamily
@raleyfamily (132)
• United States
30 Jun 10
She's your daughter, don't let other people tell you how to raise her. Enjoy her, finger sucking and all. These little years are over so quickly, and it's hard growing up. I still remember my little daughter cuddling on my shoulder, and that moist little thumb feeling against my neck...She's 13 now, and if she wanted to suck her thumb and cuddle with me still, I'd let her! My six year old shows no sign of stopping, and that's fine with me!
ann101
@ann101 (518)
• China
20 Jul 10
Good news to share with you!I have not do anything and my daughter has stopped to suck fingers now,although I don't know whether she will suck again some days later. You are right,there are only a few years for us to cuddle the little soft body and as they grow up they will be independent and leave us far away.So I just let her do what she likes and enjoy the happy time with her.
ann101
@ann101 (518)
• China
30 Jun 10
It's really a different advice I have heared.I am afraid if I let her suck fingers maybe others will blame me"Why do you let her do that?why not stop her?"I am too sensitive to others discussions,and you give me courage to have a try.Thank you very much,my friend.
smallsaozhou
@smallsaozhou (827)
• China
29 Jun 10
I have not become a mother myself yet,but I have thought of a good method to avoid child's finger sucking habit probably. Maybe you can provide her with lots of lolipops so that she will almost have no time to suck her finger. But it seems to be harmful to her teeth on the other hand.
ann101
@ann101 (518)
• China
29 Jun 10
It will be easy if she likes sweets,but unfortunately she not:(
bluemoonpavilion
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
29 Jun 10
I think it's no good trying to cure one harm with another harm. Anyway her teeth is much more important than the finger sucking habit.
dian21
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
29 Jun 10
everytime she's about to suck her thumb, give her food immediately or milk. You can give her lollipop or candies if you want. Probably her thumbsucking is a replacement for her bottled milk.
ann101
@ann101 (518)
• China
29 Jun 10
My child is another type,dian21.She only loves to unwrap candies but not like to eat them,and as she has stopped drinking milk for a long time,so she has little memory of bottled milk.Maybe the sucking feeling attracts her.
ddaguno
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
20 Jul 10
some people don't like to see kids suck their thumbs but I don't really see anything wrong about that. I have even read in some articles that if you try to hard to take away the habit some kids develop anxiety problems.
ann101
@ann101 (518)
• China
21 Jul 10
I agree with you and I don't want my baby treats me as a harsh mom,that's not good for her healthy growth.Now I understand that the best way to deal with these little things is just let it go.Time will resolve it.
bluemoonpavilion
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
29 Jun 10
Put some sauce she dislikes on her fingers, like vinegar or chilli sauce, or maybe rub a bittergourd on her fingers, usually kids dislike bitter taste, that might stop her.
ann101
@ann101 (518)
• China
29 Jun 10
Bittergourd!A good advice since the pepper souce maybe a little hot to a child.I will buy one after work today and hope it'll work well.
Stotinka5
@Stotinka5 (55)
• Czech Republic
29 Jun 10
put a hot pepper on it ;) is a bit rude...but it helps....
ann101
@ann101 (518)
• China
30 Jun 10
I cannot make up my mind just think how sore she will cry:(
sallyj
@sallyj (1225)
• United States
29 Jun 10
I had a younger cousin who sucked his thumb till he was quite old and my aunt used Tabasco sauce on his thumb.
ann101
@ann101 (518)
• China
29 Jun 10
From your answer it seems it's the time not the Tabasco sauce stopped his habit.I have thought to use pepper sauce on her fingers but it's a little cruel so I have not tried out:)
will_win
@will_win (222)
• India
23 Jul 10
Since i am not mother but i heard from my mother that you should cover your child's hands with baby glove ,give plastic nipple or put some sauces on the tip of the baby fingers that he/her will stop from same habits.
will_win
@will_win (222)
• India
23 Jul 10
Since i am not a mother but heard from my mother,that you should cover your child hands with cloth and give her plastic nipple or put some hot sauces so that he/her will stop putting hands into mouth.