Re: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!?

[Jo Slamen]

Thumbs allegedly don't affect teeth unless still in use at the age of permanent teeth coming through.  My teeth are straight (no orthodontic work) and I was a thumb sucker - so much so that I had a callous on my thumb as a young child - stopped when I started primary school.   My almost 4yo also a thumb child - his baby teeth are pretty ok looking and I find his thumb use is still useful for going to bed and getting him to sleep.   Would also imagine trying to swap baby to a dummy probably won't work.  I would relax about the thumb - does not indicate any emotional problems and it's likely to be in use for comfort rather than teething too, I believe.   And just to add some personal bias I think thumbs look better than dummies too!   Jo Slamen  ----- Original Message ----- From: J Stewart To: ozmid Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] thumb or dummy!? Dear List(s)!   Just looking for a little bit of general advice on an old debate! I have a six month old baby cousin [very cute!] she has taken to sucking her thumb as she is starting to get some toothy pegs! and her mum is not in favour of giving her a dummy. I was wondering what opinions are on this? I would think that sucking thumbs could effect tooth development and the direction/position in which they grow, as well as forming a hard to kick habbit in todlers, but have also heard interesting points against dummies.   Any thoughts!?   Thanks in advance! Jessica.