[angel0772001]

Ok my son just turned one and so I broke him from both the bottle and paci at the same time. Well now he's trying to suck on his thumb... what should I do? Should I give him back his paci for a little while longer? I refuse to let him suck his thumb. I did that and it took me till I was in 6th grade to break that habbit.

[jmjoseph]

Our pediatrician told us that our son(s) would give up the pacifier in due time. They are better than the thumbs. One year old is still quite young. I wouldn't worry about the pacifier for now. You can always give him incentives to stop later.

It's really no big deal right now. I was worried too, but it's all over now.

Good luck.

[angel0772001]

My daughter was 18 months when she started walking and she go curious to the trash can so she would throw her paci in the trash and I just didn't buy anymore and she was fine with that... but he is completely different. The only thing is my boyfriend don't want me to give him back the paci. He wants me to put the nail no bite stuff on his thumb nails so it will be nasty and he won't want to suck on it. What do you think?

[answerme_tender]

Tell your boyfriend you're the mama. Remember he is only 1yro and giving him back his paci seems less harsh then no bite nail stuff. Look how well you did with your daughter, you will do just fine with your son.

[jmjoseph]

I think that giving up the bottle AND the pacifier at the same time is confusing him, and not allowing him to satisfy his oral fixation.

I think if you ask any doctor they will tell you that it's quite early to be making him go without.

Why is your boyfriend pushing this?

It's really not a big deal at this point. Trust me. I had to come to terms with it too. For both of my sons.

He'll give it up in no time. Quicker than the thumb.

[angel0772001]

Well right now he's on the NUK sippy cups so I'm having to slowly taking him off the bottle. They are the soft nipples.

[angel0772001]

Well I REALLY REALLY don't want him back on the paci so I will see what happens. If he keeps trying to suck his thumb then I will do something about it but so far today he just sucks on it for a second and I think he realizes it doesn't give the same effect as the paci and then stops

[jmjoseph]

I found these sites:

Pacifiers and Thumbsucking

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry - AAPD Publications

Thumb Sucking vs. Pacifiers

Help Children Stop Thumbsucking: 9 Tips

Pacifiers and Thumb-Sucking - FamilyEducation.com

Pacifier vs Thumbsucking [Archive] - MotheringDotCommunity Forums

Bottles, Pacifiers & Thumbsucking - Toddler Health Article

Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking | Gather

There are dozens more. As you can see, this topic has been an issue for years, and will be for many, many more to come.

Good luck.

[Himalmom]

I would wait a bit before you help him to stop thumb sucking. Tt really effects the teeth when the permanent teeth start to set in. Age 3 is a good time to help your child stop thumb sucking
Since I was a thumb sucker and now a myofacial therapist, I know a bit about thumb sucking. There is a great product that can help a child stop thumb sucking in a fun and positive way. It is called Thumbuddy To Love. It comes with a thumb puppet and success chart and story book. Here is the info how to get it. http://www.thumbuddytolove.com or you can get it on Amazon. Don't wait buecause thumb sucking can change the whole shape of the mouth and push out teeth. As your dentist.

[angel0772001]

Well I just thought I would update everyone on the thumbsucking and pacifire breaking. He has not had a paci since the day I took it away from him and he isn't really putting his thumb in his mouth either. He will every once and a while but then takes it out quick so I don't think he wants it. Im just glad I didn't have to give in and give the paci back or have a thumb sucker either. Thank you everyone for the advice :)