Claire is a big time Finger Sucker, all day long.

Left Hand, middle 3 fingers. UGH! She has a rash around her face from doing so (seeing a dermatologist next week).

She's 25 months old and would really like to work with her to stop this gross habit.

She stopped for about a week (she had stiches in her finger from a cut), but when they were removed, went back in

Any Suggestions?

If i were you, i guess i would put vinegar on her fingers. Or I know there is some stuff you can buy, it's like fingernail polish, that doesn't taste very good. It's used for thumb suckers.

Good luck.

I used this...
http://www.whatshebuys.com/90312.html

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Mary

I would let it go, if substitutions don't work. I wouldn't put anything on her fingers. It's a comfort thing, and she needs it now. She'll grow out of it. Just try to keep her hands clean and busy, but don't stress over it. I sucked my thumb when I was little. I would wake up in the most terrible pain because my dad would put hot sauce on it. I got it in my eyes, everywhere. To this day I throw up when I smell hot sauce. Same w/vinegar. If it's not a health hazard, no big deal. I grew out of it with no teeth issues.

My suggestion will be to offer her some private attention to her, and to actually remove her fingers from her mouth, without scolding, and use those hands for something more fun or try to get her fingers replaced with a lovey or incredibly soft material, something that can eventually be let go of, thrown away, or said goodbye to. Maybe take the hands that are in her mouth, wash them and dry them then caress her cheek with a lovey/blankie. She can only have the lovey if she keeps her fingers out of her mouth because they're wet and slimey and loveys don't like wet and slimey.

Her fingers are with her for life. And thumb/finger sucking doesn't always stop on its own. In fact, I bet half the time it goes on to an age some parents would rather not share with you since I know 1 who went until 8 yrs. and another who thumbsucked - in public - all the way to 13. Bleh! Her teeth did require braces, the 8 yr old has better teeth than I do though. Ya never know!

I would have to be on the side of Try to stop it now. Sooner than later. It will ruin her teeth eventually if you don't stop it. Also my neice is a finger sucker and has gotten a bacterica infection almost every 3 months due to this. Also it seems it is worse in the summer time she gets them more frequently. I would talk to you Ped about it to see how you can get her to stop also maybe some cool gloves would help.

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