Search Results for: blog how to stop thumb sucking

Thumb Sucking in Preschoolers

Thumb sucking is a habit that begins innocently enough. Most times the beginnings are in the womb and due to the comfort it provides it may last up until the preschool years. As my child turned three and still sucked her thumb I wondered if that were normal. My other children either did not suck their thumbs at all or not past a year old. I envisioned my preschooler in Thumb Suckers Anonymous introducing herself as “Hi, I’m Kara and I suck my thumb.” The time has come to admit that my child is a thumb addict. There are days … Continue reading →

Pacifier Lover vs. Thumb Sucker

The truth is, you don’t really have a choice in the matter. I don’t think it’s possible to force your baby to start sucking the thumb, or stop for that matter, but here are my thoughts after having one of each. My daughter, from about the time she was 4 months old found her thumb. I remember how cute I thought it was. I remember still trying to give her a pacifier instead. But, she was over it. She wanted nothing to do with it after she found her thumb. Now, she is 4 and a half years old, and … Continue reading →

Thumb and Finger Sucking—Problem or Not?

Time and again I have heard the debate over thumb sucking, finger sucking and pacifiers. I have heard parents who worried about how to control and stop it in babies and older children, as well as the debate over which form of “sucking” is better for a child (or worse.) I cannot help but wonder if this is really a big problem, and what is behind all the worry and concern? Some parents encourage infants to suck on their thumb or fingers instead of a pacifier because it is natural, less management and it allows the child to learn to … Continue reading →

Older Kids Who Suck Their Thumbs

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“Is that thumb good?” the woman asked. “No.” replied the young girl. Then everyone laughed. The thumb sucker was about 12-years-old and the woman asking the question went on to say very loudly that her daughter had sucked her thumb until she was 21. “We tried putting everything on that thumb but she just kept right on sucking.” I felt sorry for the kid, she was obviously embarrassed and the adult who did the embarrassing should have known better. Especially since we were standing in an area with about a dozen people within earshot of this comment. When I was … Continue reading →

Ask a Baby Blogger: Why Can’t You Breastfeed a Baby on a Schedule?

Question: I always hear about how you’re supposed to breastfeed on demand but I have a problem with this. First of all, I feel like the baby needs to work on my schedule, not me being a slave to the baby. Second of all, I don’t think it’s healthy for babies to “snack” like that. Doesn’t that just set them up for bad eating habits later? Thirdly, I think it spoils a baby to respond every single time they cry. And finally, if my baby is on a schedule won’t he sleep through the night better? In responding, I have … Continue reading →

The Things She Says

I have a very talkative preschooler.  She is my fourth child so I felt I knew the path of a chatty little one.  However, she has far surpassed my other children in her ability to use her mouth on a nonstop basis.  If I walked as long as she moved her lips, I would be Twiggy.  If I slept as long as she moved her lips, it would be considered a coma.  As I type this I can hear her talking nonstop to her sister.  Our ears all get so tired we have to pass her off like a heavy … Continue reading →

Have You Heard of the Pacifier Fairy?

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A part of me thinks that as parents, we really have way too many make believe creatures. In fact, it exhausts me a little bit. The Easter Bunny, Santa Clause, The Tooth Fairy, etc. all have a part in most everyone’s childhood. But, a small part of me feels bad telling those little lies to my kids. But, then I get over it, and hide those eggs, or fill those stockings. But, I heard of a new fairy a while back while talking to another mama friend. The pacifier fairy. She told me that is how she finally got her … Continue reading →

FHE with Small Children-Setting Goals

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Have you ever thought about teaching your little ones about setting goals? I don’t think I ever really learned the value of goal setting until I became a missionary. I’m sure in my life up until that point, I had set goals and achieved them, but until my mission, I didn’t appreciate how setting goals can be life changing. We decided to have a family home evening with our little ones on how to set goals. It was a VERY simple lesson. We have been working with our oldest daughter, who is almost 6, on encouraging her to stop sucking … Continue reading →

Unthinkable

It’s easy to see why parenting and paranoia go hand in hand. Between bullying, natural disasters, stranger danger, and suicide, parents have a lot to contend with when it comes to protecting their offspring from the world’s perils. However, just when you thought you’ve reached your capacity for worrying, along comes yet another reason to fret. The latest concern for parents with young children: being diagnosed with cancer… just nine days after your spouse is given the same news. It seems unthinkable, right? Wrong. Just ask Nathan and Elisa Bond, who made headlines recently when they were both diagnosed with … Continue reading →

Rewards

Do bribes work? Would they work on you? Have you used bribes with your children? Is offering cash or items for a behavior or grades a bribe or a reward? I love the bribe system. My parents used it a lot. I loved that I got stuff out of it and didn’t really have to change my behavior at all. Sorry Mom and Dad. When I was about six my neighbor, who was my sister’s age, stood in her kitchen and taught me how to burp on purpose. I embraced this talent and used it all the time. I used … Continue reading →