I would have to agree with the genetic aspect. My mum needed braces as did I (not a thumbsucker) and my next sister also not a thumbsucker but the brother who was a thumbsucker had great teeth. Then my daughter who sucked until around 8 yrs old also needed braces and surgery for an oral cyst. Must admit, by that time I wished the thumb was a dummy so I could throw it away. I was dead against dummies but now, am not so sure. Thumbs also get really dirty by the time the child becomes self-propelled. Judy
>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 24/02/2003 7:23:11 pm >>> Hi, My son, aged 4.5, was seen sucking his thumb on ultrasound at 18 weeks. Nearly 5 years later, he's still going.... much to our delight! Never had we had dummies for our last two, as our oldest had lots of trouble getting rid of hers. The youngest prefers to suck nothing, and that's cool too. Both boys were breastfed beyond 14 months. But Nathan still sucks his thumb, and with the other hand holds his earlobe, when tired. His teeth are perfect, and it is something he cannot lose at the shops or anything. He only sucks it late in the day, near bedtime, which is fine by us. My cousin is a dentist, but earlier in life was seen forever with her thumb in her mouth. She ended up needing braces (as did her 5 non-thumb-sucking sisters) and swears to this day that it was genetic, not thumb-induced. We love non-dummy households! And thumbs are fine by us. It's just one of those things (like co-sleeping) that people think we are strange for supporting - but each family is individual and so is each child, so who are the experts here? Seeya Janine ********************************************************************** This e-mail, including any attachments sent with it, is confidential and for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). This confidentiality is not waived or lost if you receive it and you are not the intended recipient(s), or if it is transmitted/ received in error. Any unauthorised use, alteration, disclosure, distribution or review of this e-mail is prohibited. It may be subject to a statutory duty of confidentiality if it relates to health service matters. If you are not the intended recipient(s), or if you have received this e-mail in error, you are asked to immediately notify the sender by telephone or by return e-mail. You should also delete this e-mail message and destroy any hard copies produced. ********************************************************************** -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
