Thumb Sucking Sore in My 7 Month Old

Updated on February 13, 2009
B.S. asks from Los Angeles, CA
7 answers

My seven month old daughter just started sucking her thumb a few weeks ago. She has had a strong gag reflex since birth and wouldn't tolerate anything but my breast in her mouth until she found her thumb. She loves it! She has given herself a red sore on the base of both of her thumbs and I'm worried because she is not giving her hands a chance to heal. Even if I pull her thumb out of her mouth during the day, she sucks at night and during naps. (It's been amazing because she is sleeping through the night now that she self-sooths.) Anyway, does anyone have advice about how to treat the sores on her hands? Should I just let her keep sucking and will they turn into calluses? Or will they get infected if I don't get her to stop? I don't want to put creams on them because I'm scared she'll ingest them, same with a band aid. Help?!?!

Thanks!!!!

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Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi B.,
I know exactly what you're going through...I have 2 daughter 4 and 1 who are hardcore thumbsuckers! I also love that they can self soothe when they need it!
My older daughter got sores...and I have the best treatment! Put lanolin on the sores. The same lanolin that you can use on your nipples when you are nursing. I would put a thick coat a couple times a day...and it would heal pretty fast. It creates a barrier...helps heal and it's totally non toxic and doesn't really have a taste. I used lanolin on myself when I was nursing...and have found that it is also great on chapped lips!

Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son has been sucking his thumb pretty much since birth and has the same type of callous on his thumb. The doctor said it will heal/go away once he stops sucking. He told me it was strictly cosmetic, might take a year or so to heal, but not to worry about it. Hope that helps.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.Z.

answers from Los Angeles on

Got the same thing cookin' with my 9 month old. Wash her hands frequently and rub a liitle extra virgin olive oil on the red bumpy sore. It'll make it go away.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'd try nipple cream. Super-healing and she can suckle it off. :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Well, I don't know about trying to treat it but I will say that I have an 8 yo that was an avid thumb sucker until about 6 (although secretly much longer I'm quite sure). He still has a big callous in his thumb just under the knuckle. I wonder whether it will ever go away! But it never became infected or caused any problems, just the callous. (The dental problems we are having with his now narrowed mouth is another story!)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

find classical homeopath in your area. good individually selected remedy will help.
good luck,
V.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Chapstick!
good luck
R.

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