https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 30 May 2026 06:45:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-nervous-habit-advice-needed#post-2393711 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 14:04:11 +0000 lady grey 2393711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: thanks! I'm not so much worried about the thumb sucking as I am about the face scratching. Maybe I can offer him a small lovey or something to hold so he isn't rubbing his face raw! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-nervous-habit-advice-needed#post-2393132 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 22:40:56 +0000 PinkElephant 2393132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD also does this (not to the point of skin irritation though). She's 3.5, and we've gently discussed it a bit - like that she gets the bump on her thumb from doing it, and how she gets germs in her mouth that way....talking (not shaming, just mentioning why it's not a great thing to do) seems to have made her aware that she does it and reduced it a bit. The other day she was upset and told me she wanted to suck her thumb. I told her of course she could but asked her what might be a better idea to make her feel nice if she was, say, at school. She thought of rubbing her stuffed dog and sitting on my lap as two alternatives that made her feel good. </p> <p>For a younger child you could just say "I see you're sucking your thumb; do you want to have a rest/smuggle/etc.?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-nervous-habit-advice-needed#post-2393121 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 22:24:27 +0000 lady grey 2393121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the last few months my 2.5yr old will rub/scratch his face while sucking his thumb. Mostly when he is tired or overstimulated. It seems to be some kind of nervous/self soothing habit. He scratches so much that he breaks the skin sometimes. </p> <p>Has anyone ever dealt with this? I've heard it best not to tell him to stop because that could make it worse. Need tips for what to do, if anything! We already keep his nails super short and put aquarphor on his face before sleeping. </p>