Taylor is 2...and has been since July 28th. Since I'm a horrible blogger and NEVER posted about her 2nd birthday, you might not know that. And with the age of 2 come some transitions, among other things. Transitions that need addressing are potty training, kicking the thumb-sucking habit, and moving to a big bed. To be honest I really haven't tried very hard at all with the first two and am just now toying with the idea of the third. There is no rush to get her out of her baby bed and she doesn't try to climb out (not that her short legs could reach), so I kinda want to leave her in there for as long as possible. So what do I do first? I don't want to try too many transitions at once or too early. And as far as the thumb-sucking goes, where do I begin? And what are some different methods that some of you have tried and found successful? I might try this little doll called "Thumbbuddy to Love" but not sure. We have everything we need for potty training, I just haven't really put forth much effort. Soooo, this is where I need your advice/opinions - not to be confused with stories of you bragging about how it was sooo easy with your own children...kidding...kinda ;) But really I would like to hear (or read) how you other Mommy's have done it. Ok, go ahead to the comment section and type away...especially those of you with former thumb-suckers. :)
10 comments:
All I can say is the big bed will more than likely be the easiest to do, so if you're anxious to get one thing done, I think I'd start with that one. I agree, though, that you're really in no hurry for it. My sister is struggling with her little thumb-sucker right now who is 4 years old. I think they started with reminding her during the day to try not to, etc. and now they are working on night time. Potty-training is a big step that might not be bad if you think she's ready for it. Good luck!
I agree with the bed thing, Bailey was two and she was excited about a big girl bed and did great. She has just now stopped sucking her thumb this week. I think it might be a little hard at Tay's age to get her to stop because it is so unconscious and cognitively I don't think they can remember that long at a time what they are supposed to do. Bailey's dentist said that as long as they are done by 4 1/2-5 that is when the palate makes permanent changes and until then the teeth will return to their normal place on their own when they quit. My vote - bed, potty, then around 4 the thumb:)
Elena's dentist said that her nighttime thumb sucking wasn't a bit deal until she started getting her big teeth. We told her that when she lost her first tooth she had to stop sucking her thumb. She was five and since we'd talked about it for a while, she was fine with it and just stopped. She did tell us a couple of nights later that we needed to put her silkies away because they made her want to suck her thumb. I've seen her sucking her thumb a few times in the middle of the night during deep sleep. Not sure if that is helpful at all. Just wanted to point out that older might be easier. Have fun!
The only thing we've accomplished from this list is sleeping in a big girl bed. We were moving so we decided that she could make that transition when she moved into her new room. Emmett was on the way so we had to make this change. It made me sad, the whole growing up thing. If I remember correctly,(that's a big 'if')the first night she cried alot to begin with but then it wasn't a big deal. I think it does help to have sort of a build up to it to let her know what's coming.
On the other stuff, I haven't had thumb suckers. My babies like pacifiers. As far as potty training goes, I'm checking these comments myself. We bought EK a little potty a good while back. She peed in it the first day. My thought,"I have a very advanced child." (not really) Anyway, since then she just isn't interested. I read an Elmo potty book to her. I said,"Don't you want to use the potty like Elmo?" Her response..."Wet's get annudder book." Can't say I've been too proactive.
BTW...I was looking at your blog the other day. EK saw a picture of Taylor. She said,"I wuv her. Her's my best fwiend." It was so sweet.
I just read back thru this and I am no help here. Sorry :)
I was in the same boat you are in and to be honest things will happen in their own time. It is not like transitioning from formula to milk or from bottle to sippie...these are major things in their little worlds. Kait wanted NO part of a big girl bed until after her 3rd birthday...the same goes with potty training. As Kait only sucks her thumb at night that one is the least of my worries. All kids are different but as you know if you push usually bad things happen.
WARNING...This is long:
We went throught the same thing earlier this year. I was so worried about all the transitions at once: potty, paci, and big girl bed. We kind of went cold turkey with all three.
1. Paci - We cut off the tip one night in April and told her it broke and that was that. I just up and decided to do it one night. Sorry I don't have any advice on the thumb...you can't cut it off.
2. Potty - She began wearing pull-ups right before her 2nd birthday in February. We worked everyday for a few months on going to the potty. It was hard work but we tried to be consistent and worked on it constantly. She was doing good, but she would get lazy and would rely on her pull-up if need be. One day in May, I told her we were done with pull-ups and put her in big girl panties. She had maybe two accidents and didn't like the way it felt and she has been wearing big girl panties ever since. I really think that they can become too dependent on pull-ups and that it can slow down potty training. My sister took this advice from me and her daugther (my niece) was also potty trained right after she turned 2.
3. Big girl bed - this was easy for her, but this was the last transition. We just told her that she was a big girl now and that it was time to sleep in her big girl bed. She started sleeping in it in June and she loves it. She still has her blankee at nite-nite time and she will have it as long as she wants. I don't see a problem with her still having her blankee.
I hope any of this helps! Wow, I should have done a post as long as this is!
I just wouldn't rush anything. We always had to move ours out of their beds because of siblings, but both the boys adjusted well and quickly.
Potty training, ugh! BOYS! My oldest was the hardest. The younger one will do it as long as there's a treat afterwards. :)
As for thumb sucking, Tristan (my oldest) was a finger sucker, and I really worried about it. I've heard the stuff you put on their fingers doesn't work, so I never tried it. His dentist said if it didn't stop, there is an implant you can put in their mouths (or something like that). Imagine our surprise, though, that he came home from a friend's house one day and never sucked his fingers again. We were afraid to ask why he wasn't because we thought it might induce the behavior. Finally, after a couple of months, we asked why he stopped. He said his friend said something to him about it and told him it was gross. Easy peasy! Too bad, it's not always that easy. Our little one, Asher, is a finger sucker too. He doesn't suck as much as Tristan did, but he does suck his finger. Don't know how we'll cure that one!
Good luck with all your tasks! Wish I could be of more help, but I'm still learning, just like you!
I agree with Annie & wouldn't rush things. My pediatrician said to keep babies in their cribs as long as possible! The only reason they need to transition to a big bed is when they are old enough to need to get out to go potty or if they are getting out on their own. Since Tay is doing neither of the two, I'd chill on the big bed! Actually, I wouldn't stress on any of the three! I think I'm ultra laid back, so my advice may not be the best. But, I mean, they're only little for such a short time...why rush them into big kid world before they're ready!!
I haven't had thumb suckers. And I agree that the bed switch is a piece of cake. For potty training, we used the Three Day Potty Training method and loved it. I won't brag, but let's just say it worked and we will be doing it with #2 (not poop- the second child).
right there with most everyone. both bigger kids transitioned to big beds because of younger siblings and they did great. elle had about a week of getting out of bed, but grady had no trouble. (and they both went from crib to full size bed?!) elle was potty trained in no time; we are in the beginning stages with grady. my opinion is that they will do it when they are ready and if you try to force it, it will just take longer. we have a potty out, talk about going, and i just keep telling him when he is ready, we'll put it in the potty and not wear diapers anymore. elle was trained in about a week and has had maybe 3 accidents to date. i have three thumb suckers... well, just two now. elle just now stopped a couple months ago (she turned 4 in may). the dentist wasn't worried about it until her last check up and we were encouraged to try to stop. once again, i think they will stop when they are ready and it's nearly impossible to try to stop something like sucking a thumb when the kid isn't on board. trust me on that one. i agree with what kim said about it being unconscious. most of the time, elle didn't even know she had her thumb in her mouth?! well, hope that helps. not that it's much different from what everyone else wrote... glad taylor missed you.
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