Conference moira::parenting

Interesting that this appears to be the only topic related to thumb sucking
and it has no notes in it!  From my jaunts in and out of PARENTING, I know 
this topic can become somewhat heated (perhaps the topic got too heated and
was subsequently removed?) but, alas, my note is not to discuss the pros and
cons of thumb sucking but how I might prevent the subsequent condition of my
son's thumbs as a result of his sucking.

My wife and I made a concerted effort not to cajole our son (Brendon, 3 1/2
years old) into or out of thumb sucking -- if it happened, it happened.  Our
belief was that eventually he would grow out of it, so when he took it up it
did not disturb us too badly.  

Unfortunately, his appetite for the thumb has reached a point that his thumbs
are now red, blistery and sometimes painful and we now believe it is in his
best interest if he cut this habit to a minimum, if not completely.  Unfortu-
nately, he does not seem to see things the same as we do, hence the dilemma.

I brought the topic up recently when I took him to the pediatrician for a
combination of chicken-pox & strep-throat (and, of course, the thumbs).  At
the time, because he just pulls bandaids off when he wants to suck, we had 
his thumbs wrapped in gauze and tape.  However, because of the lack of air 
and the abundance of moisture, not only were his thumbs blistery from his
sucking, they were _covered_ with pox.  I was given a perscription for
Bactroban (a miracle anti-bacterial ointment I might add), told not to bandage
them any longer, and it was said they may want to see him again once the pox 
were clear.  This is where we stand today.

Ideas?  

-Andy

When I was around 4, my parents decided that it was time for me to give up my
beloved finger.  Coincidentally, they also decided it was time to move me out
of my brothers room and give me my own.  They decided to take advantage of the
situation and bribe me with a promise of my own room as soon as I gave up
sucking my finger.  They assumed it would take weeks, even months, since I 
seemed SOOO attached to it.  

According to my mother, I gave up sucking my finger that very night.  My poor
parents had to really scramble to get that room ready for me in one short day!

- Carol

PS - I have my suspicions this story has been at least slightly exagerated
     over the years.  But it may be worth a try.

We have some bandages over here that are just gauze and let the air through.
They are like a long tube tied in the middle and are rolled up .  One end
goes over the finger or thumb, then the roll is unrolled like a sock over
the other part.  The left over part of the roll is cut on both sides and then
tied around the wrist to hold the bandage on.  I know you can get them in the
US because I bought some last time I was travelling for my finger.

I used these to keep a plastic splint from rubbing against a broken finger.

It may give his thumb a chance to heal at least until he stops.

My sister did this until she was about 6 and permanently deformed her thumb
(it has a lump on it).  A friend of mine did it as a child and caused a nail
to grow improperly (partly occluded by skin).

Cheryl

    I sucked my thumb until my teens. I have no lasting scars except the
    memories of growing up worrying that someone would find out. 

    I don't ever remember having a blistered thumb but I do remember
    a large callous. I thought for sure it would remain there the rest
    of my life. It didn't.  My right thumb looks just like the left in
    every way. 

    I think taking the comfort of a thumb (or any other soothing item)
    away from a child is cruel and unusual punishment. Attempts to 
    restrict it's use in public would be fine, but what happens in 
    private should be left up to the child.  I understand that you are
    concerned with the blistering. It may be that a callous will eventually
    form and there will be no need for worry. 

    Is your son bothered by the blisters?  Are they causing health
    problems?  Do they really have to be treated?  Again, if there is
    an agreement between you and your son when it's appropriate to
    suck his thumb, it may cut down on the time he has his thumb in
    his mouth thus lessening the blisters.

    My and my parents biggest worry with thumbsucking was my teeth.
    I started showing an exaggerated upper bite. Once I found this out,
    I began sitting in class with my thumb pressed firmly against the
    outside of my front teeth. It seemed to do the trick. While braces
    would have been preferred, it just wasn't an option available to me. 

>    Is your son bothered by the blisters?  Are they causing health
>    problems?  Do they really have to be treated? 

As they become blistery, they burst and become painful.  At times, he may not 
use his thumbs for such hand uses as picking up his toys because it is too 
painful.  Instead, he will attempt to use his fingers or ask for assistance.  
He often sucks his thumb in his sleep so he will wake in the middle of the 
night from the pain of doing this.  As a result of his waking and subsequent 
crying, the entire household is disrupted (I do not mention this out of anger 
or animosity, just to inform).  

So, in answer to your questions, I believe the answer to all the above is 
"Yes".  

-Andy

    
    I was a thumbsucker as well, up to the age of (I think) 10.  They tried
    everything, even put that real hot stuff on my thumb to discourage me,
    it didn't work.  May it does, however, explain why I like hot food.
    
    
    Mike

Wow, you seem to have a more severe case of thumb sucking than most.
I remember my sister Jean sucked her thumb a lot and it caused some 
problems with her thumb - callouses, blisters, raw skin, etc.  I don't 
remember what the final cure was, though I do remember someone getting 
the stuff on their fingers that burned your mouth if you put your finger 
or thumb or whatever in there.  That may have been for someone's nail
biting habit though.  I think you wouldn't want to put that on raw skin.
My step-daughter still sucks her thumb - she's seven.  Mostly it is during 
the night while she is asleep, or when she is tired or unhappy, but when 
she does do it absent mindedly in public, I'll quietly ask her to stop.  
Other than that I don't try to discourage her anymore.  I used to, but 
decided that it wasn't helping to discourage the habit.  Her thumb is 
not raw and blistered though, so I think you have a more pressing need to 
stop the habit.  Perhaps if you could find something less harmful to his 
health to replace the habit with ... ?  Maybe your pedi has some suggestions ?

Leslie

    Lindsay (14 months) sucked hers only when tired and hungry....i wasn't 
    too concerned and asked the doctor about it....doctor said she had 
    found a way to console herself and that showed independence...
    BUT....she is starting to suck all the time...little blisters and 
    a callous are already formed....i hope to god she stops....but i 
    don't want to be mean and force it or do what my mother says and 
    get gross tasting stuff to put on her...i guess i have decided to 
    wait.....if i distract her she stops...for awhile.....if she's busy 
    playing she'll stop....but then when she's done...pop back in
    instantly!
    
    Linda

    I have one that absolutely must have her pacifier once she comes
    into my arms from a hard day at daycare.   She now says 'binky'
    and knows that she will get it at some point, but wants it now.
    When I tell her 'no binky, it's at home', she freaks and cries.
    
    Pacifier parents, what are your experiences?
    
    Kathy

    
    I was a thumbsucker until Jr High, and skated by with no
    complications.. but yuo obviously aren't so lucky.
    
    Can you set up an agreement around not thumb sucking except at night?
    Bribery, persuasion, and some physical reminders like a bow on his
    thumb might be useful if this looks like an option.
    
    My 3 yr old was (is?) a pacifier baby.  At one point in time she got an
    ugly rash (caused by too much moisture unde the plastic piece of the
    pacifier) we were able to agree on Binky time outs in reteurn for not
    removing the pacifier completely.  after this episode ended, we've been
    able to extend the range of binky time, increasing it to the point
    where it's pretty much a nighttime only thing now.
    
    

    I'm almost wondering if the blisters on your son's
    thumb might be caused by something other sucking.
    Staph, Candidiasis and Impetigo come to mind. 
    Staph is always present, even on healthy skin.  
    But sometimes thing go out of whack and a breakout 
    occurs. An abrasion or break in the skin leaves it 
    vulnerable to many things, especially opportunistic 
    organisms like Candidiasis (yeast). As far as I know,
    all of the above are easily treated but sometimes
    stubborn when continually exposed to moisture.
    
    Jodi-
    
     

    My three year old daugher Stephanie has started sucking her thumb 
    lately, she was using a pacificer up to age 2 1/2.  She also carrying
    a blanket around with her constantly she looks like Lyons.  There are
    several kids in her pre-school that suck their thumb and carry a
    blanket.  I don't know if she is trying to fit in or what.  I asked 
    her the other morning if we could leave the blanket in her crib so she
    could be a grown-up girl, she told me she was just a kid, the blanket 
    went to school. I would just like some advice on how to deal with
    breaking these habits.  Me and my husband are in turmoil at times with
    were the blanket is and we can't leave the house without it.
    
    Regards,
    
    Karin
    

    It may be a new habit, or just another phase. See if you can get
    another of the same type of blankets so that you don't have to panic if
    one is lost or needs washing. Pay as little attention to the habit as
    you can - minimizing attention on it can sometimes help.
    
    Also think whether she's going through any new challenges or stresses
    right now. In our case, my 3 yr. old son immediately balked at sleeping
    in the "big boy" bed when his brother moved into another room and began
    first grade. So, I put him in his crib each night and try not to make a
    big deal of it right now.
    
    best of luck,
    Lynn
    

    My son has sucked his thumb since he was a baby (he's almost 4) and
    ALWAYS has his blanket with him.  This has caused some problems with
    his pallet (SP?) - his pedi says he has a raised pallet - which in
    turn has affected his speech.  Anyway, at his checkup a few weeks
    ago his pedi said "You may only suck your thumb in your bedroom."
    Period.  No Discussion!   And, by golly, it has worked.  His pedi
    felt that he should be the "bad guy" - therefore, whenever Matthew
    asks about sucking his thumb, we tell him "Doctor so-and-so said
    you can suck your thumb only in your bedroom".  It's probably not
    that serious of a problem for you (yet) but if it continues, having
    your pediatrician say they can;t do that(!) may work.  Just a Thought.
    
    Lila