Thumb-sucking causing agitation and sleeplessness

[noramama]

Hi Mamas,

My lovely 3.5 month old baby has just discovered her thumb, and though she LOVES it, it seems to keep her up, agitated and ornery. At first I'd thought this would be a great way to help her soothe herself when she wants, but it often does the opposite. Now I'm wondering what I can do to help her sleep peacefully. Any suggestions? Is this a phase that will pass?

We practice attachment parenting, and she's almost always on me (and often breastfeeding), so I don't think she's sucking so vigorously because she's lacking mama time. Still, I wonder how to help her actually feel soothed with the thumb (or an alternative).

A little background: She was born 4 weeks early, but quickly packed on the pounds - she's now 15 pounds, and really healthy and generally happy. Fitful sleeping, though, is definitely making her less happy...

Thanks so much (I'm new here and grateful for help),

J.

[kayabrink]

My 4 m.o. dd was doing the same thing a few weeks ago. She now seems to have mastered the thumb and it's not waking her anymore. She just got over it by herself, but when she was trying to figure out thumb-sucking and it was irritating her, I sometimes held her hand for her (it seemed to pop out of her mouth because latching on to a finger is very different from latching onto the breast, I guess).
So yeah, it will get better on it's own. Only now my dd "sings" every time she sucks her thumb (kind of like low-key yodeling- not crying or distressed, more like, hey, look what I can do!). Yep... that's pleasant.

[tracysroberts]

My little guys also was frustrated with his thumb when he was first figuring out how to use and keep hold of it. He was so precious in this learning phase. It will pass, just be there for support as with all things they learn to do. That I really want to do this, but it is really hard stage will pass.

[NSmomtobe]

I wonder if it's a sign that she's teething and that's the cause of her distress.