I really must respond to the issue of thumb sucking.  The issue of thumb
sucking as being used to meet an unfulfilled need has been around for a
long, long time.  When my middle daughter was a baby (she's now 17) the line
was, if they sucked their thumb they were missing out on attention, time at
breast whatever!  She happened to be a thumb sucker and boy did I feel
guilty.  One day while my 3 year old was at preschool I spent the entire
morning letting her breastfeed.  She was more than willing to comply. ( This
same daughter latched on within an hour after birth and barely let go for
the first three days.)  After 3-4 hours of breastfeeding, I had to go to the
bathroom.  I set her down and what do you think she did immediately?  Popped
her thumb in her mouth!  from then on I decided that if she could find a way
to satisfy her sucking needs on her own it was fine with me.  She breastfed
until 2 1/2 often wanting to stay L-O all night long.  When she weaned she
only sucked her thumb at night, I never saw it.  She stopped sucking her
thumb at 8 years when she started orthodontia work for a classic thumbsucker
mouth.  Some children have really strong needs to suck.  Beating ourselves
up for not meeting their needs is counterproductive.

I do believe that some children suck their thumbs due to unmet needs, but
not all children.  My oldest had a boyfriend who sucked his thumb at 17.
I'm sure he still does to this day.  His childhood was very unsettled, much
like the one described in an earlier post.  He did it openly at our house
when he was tired or watching TV.  While we never ridiculed him, we were
privately amazed.

I do think it shows an inner strength to find a way to comfort oneself.
After all we all must find a way to do it sometimes.  But if your child is a
thumb sucker and you are doing the best you can to meet their needs, stop
feeling guilty.  We're only human.

Another issue to consider with thumb sucking is allergic
babies/children/adults.  Any of you have allergies that include an itchy
palate?  Thumb/finger sucking can really soothe the itchy palate.  I wonder
how many of these thumb suckers are really soothing an itchy palate?


Denise Parker, BA, IBCLC (La Crescenta, CA)
To Avoid Criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing