I am so tired of seeing my little boys sucking their fingers and thumbs!!! We have finally decided that NOW is the time for them to stop. So, we pulled out our finger guards
and thumb guards
. These things worked like magic for our older set of twins. One was a thumb sucker and the other was a finger sucker. We put the guards on them for ONE month and that was the END of the thumb/finger sucking for them!!!! Yay!!!!!
So, on to the younger set of twins….we gave the guards a shot with them last year. After one month, JI had stopped sucking his fingers. However, TJ was a different story! He would suck whatever finger was not in the guard. So, we took the guards off JI and put them on TJ. Unfortunately the peer pressure proved to be too much for JI. When he saw his twin sucking his fingers (that weren’t in the guard), he started back up again.
So, our new solution is to put both a finger guardand thumb guard on both of TJ’s hands…yes, four guards total. (Take a close look at the pic below.) We already had two thumb guards and one finger guard, so we decided to purchase another finger guard so that TJ would have one for each hand. They are a bit pricey, but I figure it is way cheaper than having to pay for braces!!!
Besides I have had proven results with 3 out of my 4 finger/thumb suckers {if you don’t count the peer pressure relapse!} 🙂
You can read more about our past experiences with the thumb guards and finger guards by clicking the links below:
My first post with details about how we got ourselves into this whole thumb sucking ordeal. (Now that I look back at it, the post is kinda funny…well, not that funny since we are STILL reaping what was sown) 🙂 Plus, I have more details about our awesome success with the guards for our first set of twins.
The second post was an update from our first attempts at the guards with the younger twins. It showcases our progress (with JI) and lack of progress (with TJ) and how we tried to remedy it.
The third post is about JI’s peer pressure relapse.
I will keep you up to date with our current progress on my quest to STOP the last of the finger and thumb suckers in my house!!!! 🙂
READER COMMENT UPDATE: I was informed by a reader that there is another product called “Thumbuddy To Love” that can be used to help with thumb-sucking. It seems to be a book and a coordinating thumb puppet with the character choices of either Ballerina Sue
or Fireman Fred.
Though I am not sure if it would work with my son, I really like the concept and idea!!!
Homemade Easter Bonnet (made w/a paper plate & bowl)
Sergine
-Starts to cry- xDD Omg I’m 19 and I never left that habit..I only suck it in the facility of my house ( I don’t want other college students laughing at me) I quit for a year while I was 16 and I’m right back to it..Oh lord this is a struggle and I feel so embarrass.
Mama Jenn
I would imagine that even the small size would be a bit too large for a 12 month old. They would probably be able to wiggle their fingers out of the guard.
Rosanna Edison
My son is only 12 months and is a finger sucker, do you think this would fit his tiny hands?
Jennifer G.
We used a finger guard for my son and it worked like a charm! I’m hoping for the same success with my daughter! Good luck to your family! 🙂
Melissa: Mother to 3 Little Sp
Now how do we curb it early on? My daughter is just starting to suck her thumb and I do not want her to continue with that habit! HMMM
TOLIVER FAMILY
Hi There…just found your blog today! We have lots in common! One of my twin girls is trying out the finger guard…blogging our progress…ten days in now…I’d love to know how this ended for you!
http://toliverfamily.blogspot.com
Kerry_Kid Giddy
I also make thumb covers and finger covers that are made with soft cotton, giving children the ability to move their fingers and use their hands in a normal everyday way.
http://kidgiddy.etsy.com
Thanks for taking a look! -Kerry
Melissa: Mother to 3 Little Sprouts
Now how do we curb it early on? My daughter is just starting to suck her thumb and I do not want her to continue with that habit! HMMM
care-in
My oldest daughter sucked her two middle fingers up until last fall (she was 5) when she broke that arm. We realized how she didn’t even miss it. She didn’t go back to it either…we got lucky.
My youngest dropped the paci at Christmas and so far hasn’t taken to fingers or thumbs.
I once taught a child who would come to school (in first grade) with the thumb guard and she still sucked her thumb with it on.
Elise
I have never heard of thumb and finger guards. So far, neither of our children have been thumb, or finger suckers. But, we only got rid of Savvy’s dummy (Aussie word for pacifier)a few months ago. She only used it at night to go to sleep, but we had talked about it for a while with her and decided it was time.
The homemade Easter hat is delightful and to think it is made from a paper plate and bowl. It turned out so well.
Ticia
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! Jeff didn’t think this is as funny as I did. However, I found it hilarious and suggested it for Superman, he did not agree.
Debbie
Selena was a thumb sucker. I notice now she is breaking herself from it. Occassionally in the wee hours of the morning I will still hear her sucking a bit but that is the only time.
By the way I did get your gift, those cards are great! I have three pass it forward packages to get out, so I will post on these this summer. I haven’t forgotten.
Jennifer G.
We used a finger guard for my son and it worked like a charm! I’m hoping for the same success with my daughter! Good luck to your family! 🙂
Coby
Those pictures of the thumb are making me laugh out loud! It just strikes me as hilarious…
and a worthy investment! I have 3 year-old twin boys, and one is a thumb-sucker, and the time to break him of it is drawing near…