Gentle ways to discourage finger sucking?

My son just turned 5 in January. Since infancy, he has sucked on his first two fingers when he goes to sleep. We talked to the dentist about it a year or so ago. She said it would be good to try to help him stop by the time his adult teeth come in. He hasn't lost any teeth yet, but I know it's not too far off. I've started talking to him about the fact that it can hurt his teeth and suggested he try something else to help him go to sleep. He understands and has thought about it, but it's just such an ingrained habit. He is somewhat of an anxious kid, he's a worrier and a thinker, so I don't want to prevent him from doing it (like with a cover on his fingers or something). Has anyone had success in discouraging it in a gentle way?

Re: Gentle ways to discourage finger sucking?

DD is 4.5 and she made it her new years resolution to stop sucking her thumb during the day (in the car, while we read books, while watching tv, etc.) and to just do it at naps/bedtime. I bought a thumb cover but she only used it once or twice. We had a reward chart and for every day she got through following the "no daytime sucking" she got a sticker and got a prize after 15 days or something like that. It worked like a charm, she snapped right into action, and she, too is a worrier and thinker so I was petrified what she'd be like without her soothing thumb We went to the DDS this week for a check-up and he told her she was doing great and to start trying to not sleep with it and she's totally motivated to do it, we'll see how that goes

Re: Gentle ways to discourage finger sucking?

Posted by melbalalala

DD is 4.5 and she made it her new years resolution to stop sucking her thumb during the day (in the car, while we read books, while watching tv, etc.) and to just do it at naps/bedtime. I bought a thumb cover but she only used it once or twice. We had a reward chart and for every day she got through following the "no daytime sucking" she got a sticker and got a prize after 15 days or something like that. It worked like a charm, she snapped right into action, and she, too is a worrier and thinker so I was petrified what she'd be like without her soothing thumb We went to the DDS this week for a check-up and he told her she was doing great and to start trying to not sleep with it and she's totally motivated to do it, we'll see how that goes

Re: Gentle ways to discourage finger sucking?

DS has been sucking fingers from in utero, in every ultrasound!

The bitter nail polish does not work. My kid said it tasted good!

I tried gloves when he was sucking most often (like watching TV).

Wrapping my kid's fingers with sports tape did work... Beautifully & totally broke the habit (though he now bites his nails)

I'm not a "gentle" transition type though...

Gentle ways to discourage finger sucking?

i used to do this. there are pictures of me sleeping with my 2 first fingers when i was 8 lol my mom tried taping my fingers, putting salt and pepper on them...but nothing worked. (could be why i dont like salt and pepper now lol). eventually i grew out of it. my teeth were fine.