Posted by Amy Thu October 16, 2008, 4:40 pm
Alex has had an oral fixation since he was very little. A lot of babies do and use pacifiers or suck thumbs to be soothed. Most kids grow out of it, or they transfer that necessary stimulation to other things, which has been the case with our kid. Alex has never been traditional in that he didn't take to a pacifier or his thumb. He sucked on a blanket, probably from about 6 months 'til shortly after he turned 3. Eww...that blanket got nasty. I had to wash it often and even had a smaller replacement made (these were crocheted blankets from a relative). He couldn't just love and cuddle the blanket, he HAD to chew and suck on it, especially to calm down (e.g., he used to cry for his blanket first after hurting himself...before mommy!), while watching tv or trying to fall asleep. We finally rid of the blanket back in January because I noticed his teeth were shifting. I know...they're baby teeth, but I just wanted to nip this in the bud. Plus, he seemed to get sick a lot and I wondered if it had to do with the blanket, eww. So, needless to say, we have SEVERAL pictures of Alex with his blankie from the past few years
I guess the thought didn't really cross my mind that he'd want/need to replace the sucking blanket habit with another oral habit, ugh. Basically Alex has been biting his nails for the past several months. He doesn't even seem to realize he's doing it half the time (until I bring it to his attention). He just cannot help himself. So gross...the germs, aah! I can't remember the last time I cut his nails. I've made some threats (pretty red finger nails, the yucky tasting stuff on the nails) and other things that I'm not so proud of to get him to stop. I feel like I've educated him as much as I can at his age, but he's got to WANT to kick the habit!
Someone suggested sugar free gum. So, now I feel like we're replacing one habit for another, but I thought it was worth a shot to let him have in moderation. He's had gum just a few times and it's a treat to him. We went in search of sugar free bubble gum today (I actually went to Wal-Mart and ONLY purchased that...can you believe it? Only spent 80 cents there...that was a first!). He was very excited. I think we'll probably try to stick to no more than two pieces each day. We'll see how it goes. Now, if I could just get him to chew with his mouth closed, haha!
Comments
Shannon - Tue June 30, 2009, 12:12 am
I found your site discussion while searching for possible effects on my daughters teeth who also sucks on her "boo" blanket. She has had this habit since she was less than a year old. While she never took to the pacifier or the thumb, she sucks on the satin edge of the blanket when she sleeps and during times of need. I was always told to not try to rid her of the habit because she would eventually do it on her own. She turned 5 last week and all the information tells me to let well enough alone because her habit isn't hurting anyone. However, I am very concerned about the health of her teeth or gums. Her dentist assures me that it will cause no damage, but I am not sure that I am satisfied with this. There are very little cases online that discuss children sucking on blankets, which is obviously different than the pacifier which there is more than ample information on, and your post was the closest thing I could find similar to my daughter's satin addiction. Did you gain any advice regarding the teeth during your endeavor.emily mcd - Mon October 27, 2008, 6:35 pm
Amy, every time I read your blog, I always think, "She is such a great mom! What a great family!" And, while I have no parenting advice whatsoever to offer, I will say that I love how you are always thinking outside the box for solutions and always finding creative, fun things to do. I just am so impressed! :) You rock!Kara - Sun October 26, 2008, 12:11 am
boy, you'd think with as many kids as I have that I'd have some brilliant solution...nope! i have 2 nail biters actually. Anna and Evan. They each of totally different personalities...very opposite ends of the spectrum. My husband kicked the habit a few years ago and he said by FAR this was the hardest habit to kick, over tobacco or alcohol!Just pray...that's all i got..just pray over his little fingers :)
love ya!
k
