Advice on breaking thumb sucking habit?

[UlStED]

Both my 5 1/2 and 3 year old are strong thumb suckers and their teeth and upper palate are getting very malformed. Does anyone have any advice on how to help them stop? It seems that the more we point it out / take the thumbs out, the more they do it. Thanks.

[goldilocks]

Friends had good results with thumb guards though their kids were older. Not sure how well they work with 3 year olds?

[Peachpie]

My children used dummys. I wonder if there is any mileage in weaning onto a dummy first? I don't have direct experience. Two of my sisters sucked thumb/finger and both decided to stop themselves, one around 6 and the other as a teenager!

[talfourdite]

Hi, I have sent you a PM on this.

[sweetgirl]

How about painting their thumb nails using, I actually can't remember what it's called but it's a varnish used to help you stop biting nails.

It tastes disgusting....

Paint their thumb nails whilst their asleep....

Just a thought

[sweetgirl]

Hold on, I think it's called stop n grow!

[Passiflora]

Do they suck their thumbs at nursery/school? I'm sure they don't but have a word with their teacher to discuss a plan forward.