Thursday, January 08, 2009

A New First

Even with 5 kids, an experienced Mom can have a "first." I officially have a thumb sucker. It started pretty regularly a month ago. I didn't want it to be this way (although it's freakin cute!) but I guess I have no choice because Sophie doesn't seem like she's going to change her ways. Now I see pros and cons to this. Let's count them.

Pros

  1. She soothes herself all the time when she's upset. Really doesn't need mommy all the time!
  2. The child has been sleeping through the night since she was about 3-4 weeks old but now she'll suck her thumb and sleep nearly 12 hours without waking! It's kinda nice early in the morning!

Cons

  1. Can't take it away from her when she is older.
  2. Everyone I know that has had a thumb sucker or was one still does it. I know 2 adult friends that suck their thumbs. They immediatetly take it out of their mouth when they see you staring at them. lol

A bit of a tie there . lol So has anyone else had a thumbsucker. What should I expect with this? Do they give it up easily or will it drag on? She's not even 3 months old yet and she's already picking and choosing what she wants to do. I don't think I get a choice in this matter!

5 comments:

Meg said...

Ugh...the double-edged sword that is thumbsucking. Our Z is almost 4 and has been hooked on the thumb since she was a baby.

We haven't tried to wean her yet--we're hoping peer pressure will do the trick once she hits kindergarten.

Bird's Eye View Photography said...

Niether of my boys were... but I was until I was 9! IT cause major issues for my mouth and I had to wear braces for 4 years!! If you can get her to stop... do!

I would talk to the pediatrician about it -- they have lots of tricks!

It is cute though!

Jenn said...

My brother was a thumb sucker. My Mom tried everything to break him of it, even that awful tasting stuff they say to rub on it. He'd just lick it off and then keep sucking. He did eventually grow out of it (although I can't remember how old he was when he did), but I agree with PP and if you can get her off of it, I would because I also have a cousin who sucked on her index finger and she has major teeth problems because of it.

Anonymous said...

Sam was a finger sucker. I loved it, he self soothed so nicely. Then when he got his top teeth in, he stopped one day, cold turkey.

Leslie said...

Ryanne sucks 2 of her fingers. She's #5 as well and we've never had a thumb/finger sucker until her. =)