Mommy Octopus

This New Year’s one of our resolutions has been to get our 2 year old to stop sucking his thumb.  Being cold, flu, and the dreaded stomach bug season, the last thing I want my toddler to do is to stick his fingers in his mouth after being in a store or play area.

We have committed to getting him to stop thumb sucking for good this year!  We had great success using the TGuard Fingerguard with our now 8 year old, so we knew exactly where to turn now that it’s time to stop our thumb sucker.   With the help from our friends at TGuard, we have been tackling this thumb sucking resolution with great results!

What is TGuard?

TGuard is a soft, flexible device that has been recommended by dentists, orthodontists, and pediatricians for over 20 years to help stop the thumb sucking habit.  With consistent use, the sucking habit can be broken in 4 weeks or less with the aid of TGuard products.

TGuard is currently offering the TGuard Aerothumb, TGuard Classic, and the TGuard Fingerguard, each uniquely designed for incredible results.  Each device design is comfortable, ventilated, and secure.

TGuard Aerothumb is the newest in the line of products, with an improved-design and over 95% success rate!

If you have a finger-sucker, Fingerguard will be your choice.  Fingerguard works on any 2 adjacent fingers to stop sucking fast.  When worn correctly, Fingerguard has a success rate of over 95% as well!

 

To use, you simply follow the instruction sheet and slip the device over the hand.  Double check fit and then add the bracelet as shown in the instructions.  The bracelet has to be cut to be removed, so little ones can’t just pull it off.  Each kit comes with 30 bracelets, and more can be bought on their website if you happen to need extra.

How it Worked for Us:

Before you start, you want to make sure that you and your child are ready.  For us, that meant making sure Simon was healthy, not teething, and not having any other major changes in his life.  Once our TGuard Aerothumb arrived, unfortunately he had a couple back to back colds and ear infections AND got his 2 year old molars, so we had to put it off a bit.  Finally we’ve been able to give it a try!

Being a curious 2 year old, he thought it was neat to have this device on his hand…. at first.  He was able to eat, drink, bathe, play, draw, and anything else he wanted to do without hindrance.  The only setback we have had was at nap time.  This is where consistency and using other methods to self soothe can come in handy.  Normally we would read a book, snuggle a little, and he would suck his thumb as he drifted off to sleep.  Instead, we read a book, snuggled a lot, and then he asked for the Aerothumb to come off.  I told him that it was staying on and he seemed a little surprised.  I rubbed his back, told him he was a good boy, and gave him his stuffed animals to hold onto.  It took much longer than normal for him to fall asleep the first time.

If I remember correctly, when we used the Fingerguard on my daughter years ago, she didn’t nap the first day.  For children, the device can be a different experience, and they have to develop new ways to self-soothe.  After a day or two, it took less and less time to nap or go to sleep at night, as long as we were consistent.

Our Thumb Sucking Results:

We haven’t used it the full 4 weeks yet, but we are seeing major progress!  Simon hasn’t been putting his hands in his mouth as often, so I’m super happy about that!  Less hands in mouth = less germs!  That’s a win-win!!

I really like that the TGuard Aerothumb doesn’t get in the way of his normal activities as a very active 2 year old boy.  He can even ride his little bike with it on and no problems.  I also appreciate that the TGuard knows kids can be a little sneaky and has designed the device in such a way that it can only be removed by cutting the bracelet, when used properly.

I know we will stay consistent and he will be completely thumb free very soon.  It worked brilliantly for my daughter with the Fingerguard and we are looking forward to complete success with the Aerothumb as well.  I highly recommend TGuard products to anyone trying to break a finger or thumb sucking habit.  For more information on the TGuard line of products, please visit the TGuard website.

TGuard Coupon Code:

If you’d like to try a TGuard product with your children, head on over to the TGuard website and learn more about the products.  At checkout, you can use code mommyoctopus18 to save 10% off your purchase!  You won’t be disappointed.

If for any reason you aren’t happy with your product, TGuard offers a 30 day money back guarantee!

Big thank you to our friends at TGuard for providing Simon with his Aeroguard that we received in exchange for posting.  All opinions are our own.