Thumb sucking help

[jenners26]

My son is 18mo, and has consistantly sucked his left thumb, basically since birth. In the last couple of weeks, his thumb has become red and swollen, and I'm concerned it's becoming infected.

I totally refuse to put any of those foul tasting drops on it. I've tried offering a pacifier in place of it, and we've tried encouraging him to suck his right thumb, but he has no interest in either one!

Does anyone have any gentle suggestions to wean him off his thumb? Or ideas of creams, etc. I could try to take care of the redness?

TIA!

[azmomtoone]

You can put lanolin on it to help protect it. If he's still nursing, squeeze some breastmilk onto the area first to help it heal, then cover w/ lanolin.

[galincognito]

i would also suggest lanolin. it's worked well on my own hand when i have skin issues from my hand being in water too much.

[LizLizard]

Yeah, lanolin works great.... that's what we've used with my 3 year old when her thumb gets red. I wish she would stop, but I know it's something I really can't control and I won't do the drops either.

[LiLStar]

maybe to get him to reduce the amount of time spent sucking you could offer lots of fun hands on activities? Play doh, sand box, anything that can't be done with a thumb in his mouth.

[jenners26]

Awesome! I'll try the lanolin! Thanks for the suggestions! He only sucks it when he's going to sleep/sleeping, and it's still really red and swollen! It doesn't seem like it's hurting too much though, so hopefully we've caught it before it gets bad!

Thanks!!