https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:58:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mavala-stop-amp-thumb-sucking#post-2284457 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 10:23:48 +0000 Freckles 2284457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is almost 3.5 years old and a major finger sucker (in utero too!) We have finally been able to limit it to bedtime, but it took us a while to get there. I tried the nail polish for nail biters (recommended by my ped) and it worked for only one day. As soon as she put her finger to her lips she took her hand away. She was able to suck through the nasty taste and by the time it was time to reapply she would fight us on it. I gave up on using it. I am concerned bc at 3 I noticed her bite being affected.</p> <p>We eliminated car seat sucking by bringing her books and toys to keep her occupied. I really had to emphasize that she was a big girl now and that if she wanted to continue this, then she wouldn't get to enjoy big kid treats. </p> <p>We now have to figure out how to eliminate evening sucking and may have to go the bandaid route. It's so hard bc you don't want to take away their source of comfort yet you know it's in their best interest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mavala-stop-amp-thumb-sucking#post-2284431 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 09:09:00 +0000 birdofafeather 2284431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haven't tried it as row still sucks her 2 fingers for comfort but our dentist said last year that they don't worry about it until 4-5 for finger sucking! So I've pushed it out of my mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mavala-stop-amp-thumb-sucking#post-2284425 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 08:56:55 +0000 matador84 2284425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I recently asked our ped about LO's thumbsucking at his well check and I feel like the advice was great! She said designate a thumbsucking chair. Not as punishment, but put it in the most boring place in the house. So if they want to suck their thumb, that's fine, but they have to do it in the chair. Eventually she said they drop the habit. I'm working on it now and LO is a serious thumb sucker and it seems to be helping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mavala-stop-amp-thumb-sucking#post-2284388 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 07:04:04 +0000 Smurfette 2284388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: no advice on thumb sucking but where did you find Bubble Gippies band-aids? R would go crazy for those. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mavala-stop-amp-thumb-sucking#post-2284385 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 06:50:16 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 2284385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Perhaps I'm lazy, but this is a battle I'm just not going to fight with LO1. One of my brothers and I were both thumb-suckers - the other didn't thumb-suck or take a pacifier - and the brother who did it didn't stop until he was about 4.5. He was also the only one who never needed a retainer or braces!</p> <p>I just figure that dental work is one of the costs of parenting, assume that he will need a retainer/braces/whatever whether or not he sucks his thumb, and let it be. But again, I am usually the "path of least resistance" parent ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mavala-stop-amp-thumb-sucking#post-2284365 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 03:38:36 +0000 regberadaisy 2284365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has your dentist said that it's actually affecting her teeth? DH niece was a serious thumb sucker, like it never left her mouth. At her 3 year dental they told her she needed to stop because it was visibly starting to push her upper teeth out. I don't know what they tried but I know it took a while. Even now at 5 she still occasionally does it for comfort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mavala-stop-amp-thumb-sucking#post-2284362 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 03:30:06 +0000 shopaholic 2284362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sandy: yes! K was sucking her thumb in utero all the time in my U/s pics too! I didn't realize how bad the taste of this product was before bedtime. She DID ask me for Bubble Guppies band aids for both thumbs but told me they were "owies" and I just figure she finally was liking band aids. But then she wanted them off. She's never been a fan of wearing band aids, but picked some Sofia the First ones tonight at Target too. I might try the band aid + reasoning with her again. DH doesnt want me trying the Mavala stuff again for awhile if ever. Thanks for sharing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mavala-stop-amp-thumb-sucking#post-2284359 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 03:04:24 +0000 sandy 2284359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no idea what that product but my LO was also a thumb sucker - even in utero! We didn't worry about it until she was about 2.5 bc we didn't want it to affect her teeth/palate. She only did it at bedtime and she was such a great sleeper I didn't want to mess with it.</p> <p>At first we put little mittens on her hands. She's a very compliant child though and never tried to take them off bc we explained that they were going to help her not put her fingers in her mouth. She did have trouble falling asleep the first night or two but still slept through the night fine. After a few weeks we tried removing the mittens but it was such an subconscious habit that her thumb would drift to her mouth and she would suck her thumb. So we moved to bandaids and those were great reminders for her not to put her thumb in her mouth. It's been over a year now and she doesn't suck her thumb at all. But for awhile there I was buying a ton of bandaids. She really liked the ones with different characters and picking them out at bedtime. </p> <p>That's what worked for us. If you're worried about the bandaids coming off, I know they have the super tough strip ones that are super adhesive and don't slip off. I have a box of those for my feet bc they really don't slip or move.</p> <p>I know lots of people have no issue with letting the thumb sucking resolve itself naturally over time...so don't stress too much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mavala-stop-amp-thumb-sucking#post-2284354 Sun, 06 Sep 2015 02:32:35 +0000 shopaholic 2284354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At DD's first dentist appointment about a week ago, the dentist seemed concerned about her thumb-sucking habit. It is a self-soothing thing that she uses to fall asleep, and sometimes throughout the day when she is a upset, nervous, or tired. It is not constant and the thumb falls out as soon as she's asleep, so I haven't been too worried.<br /> I did try to discourage it for awhile by reason and telling her not to suck her thumbs, but it kind of became a tease or game to her. I tried to bribe her with pretty nail polish, but then she'd tell me to take off the nail polish when she wanted to suck her thumb. I tried band-aids, but I got nervous when they came off in her sleep and worried she'd swallow one.<br /> So, the dentist recommended Mavala Stop and I bought it from the office. OMG! First night trying to use it and it has been TOUGH! DD is drooling and spitting all over the place. She drank so much milk and water, she had to pee twice before she could fall asleep. After midnight, I finally used nail polish remover and washed her hands and brushed her teeth and tongue again so we could try to get her to sleep. She went to bed holding a washcloth for all her spit and drool. :crying: DH thought it was cruel. </p> <p>Has anyone else tried this Mavala Stop product with good results? There are over 3,000 reviews on Amazon and 4.5 stars, but I'm worried about some of the reviews for 2 year olds. At the same time, the dentist seems to want us to curb this habit asap. </p> <p>Anyone successfully stop thumb-sucking around 2.5 y/o? Tips? </p>