Hi all!
Just wondering how many of you moms have weaned out the babies completely. With lot of apprehensions I tried on friday. Lekha stopped taking BM completely without any fuss. I was happy about it. But I faced a lot of problems for last 3 days. But today I am feeling much better. My breasts were swollen and were rock-hard. I ended up having fever. Then I met my gynec. She gave me estrogen tabs. Also, she suggested me to stuff cabbage leaves inside the bra. I just wanted to share it with you all as it might help a few of you.
One more concern. Lekha is sucking her thumb a lot. Should I worry about it now ??? Hetal replied. Toddlers suck their thumbs because it's comforting and calming.Your 1 year or 2-year-old probably practiced this habit while he was still in the womb and perfected it as an infant. Now he turns to his thumb when he's tired, scared, bored, sick, or trying to adjust to challenges such as starting daycare or preschool for the first time or enduring long car rides. He may also use his thumb to fall asleep at bedtime and to lull himself back to slumber when he wakes up in the middle of the night...
Don't worry too much. Although you may fret that thumb-sucking is hurting your toddler's teeth or jaw, children can safely suck their thumbs until age 3 or 4, according to the American Dental Association. Keep in mind, too, that not all thumb-sucking is equally damaging; experts say it's the intensity of the sucking and the tongue's thrust that deforms teeth and makes braces necessary later. Kids who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than children who suck aggressively. So watch your toddler and analyze his technique. If he sucks vigorously, you may want to begin curbing his habit earlier, say when he turns 3.
Let it go. Punishing your toddler or nagging him to get his thumb out of his mouth won't help, because he probably doesn't even realize he's doing it. Techniques such as putting elastic bandages on his thumb/some kind of oil or bitter taste food will seem like unjust punishment, especially since he indulges in the habit for comfort and security.

Plus, as is often the case with 1 to 2-year-olds, pressuring him to stop may intensify his desire to do it even more.

In any event, kids usually give up thumb-sucking when they've found other ways to calm and comfort themselves. so you might find something that gives your baby/toddler comfort and support;that he will look upon whenever he gets disturbed.
If your toddler tends to suck his thumb when he's hungry, for instance, within a year or two he'll learn to simply open the fridge and look for something to eat, or ask you for a snack instead.right now he cant ask so he will suck thumb,,so try offering him, if at all he is interested in eating.
Bait and switch. If you can identify times and places when your toddler is particularly likely to suck his thumb — while watching television, for instance — you might try giving him a substitute, such as a rubber ball to squeeze or finger puppets to play with so that he releases his pressures or anxiety/emotions thru it, instead of sucking thumb.
one thing is sure, never try to remove or concentrate on his thumb sucking activity, instead offer him something that interest him or calms him/diverts him.
If he tends to suck his thumb when he's tired, you might consider letting him doze for longer in the afternoon or moving up his bedtime a bit. Or if he turns to his thumb when he's frustrated, help him put his feelings into words.teach him sign language,,lots of books, sites are available for the same.

The key is to notice when and where sucking occurs and to divert his attention by offering an alternative. Together, you and your toddler can find solutions that will — eventually —help him kick the thumb habit.

hope this was helpful,,i dont see nething else that makes a toddler suck his thumb upto 2 years of age.

good luck !
Smile replied. Hi there,
I am smile. I browse this board a lot but couldn't find time to participate or write. My son Savir is 13 months old. He started sucking his thumb from his third month. Still sucks, when he is sleepy or hungry. He goes to sleep only by sucing his thumb. We tried neem ka tel, around his 6th month. But no use, he would lick that and start sucking again. I wanted to write about this in a very long time. Thanks, you've put this concern. I spoke to his ped, he said bordom is the reason, that babies start sucking their thumb. Some of them suck just to pacify themselves. Some due to fear. Savir sucks to pacify himself. He goes to sleep and he doesn't wake up in the middle of the nights. there are many advantages, but I am worried about his teeth. the doctor said there is nothing to worry about his milk teeth. the problem arises only when the milk teeth fall and real teeth comes. So before that it has to be stopped. We r trying to put bandage but his takes it out by pulling it with his teeth. Any suggestion is welcome. We r worried.People say it is better to stop them as early as possible.