This is probably for the older members…
A bit of background for why I ask this question: I’ve been reading Stephen King; I’ve read Cujo, The Stand, and am working on The Shining. And in each of these books, King seems to characterize most of the kids as being thumbsuckers. These books were written in the 70’s and 80’s.
I don’t see kids sucking their thumbs in public all that much. Pacifier use among toddlers and preschoolers seems more prevalent.
So has anyone noticed a decrease in thumbsucking through the years?
Come to think of it yes. I sucked my thumb till I was 26 with a fluffy blanket, and only stopped as I was breast feeding my eldest and didn’t have my thumb free. I’d be still sucking it otherwise, and enjoying the comfort, better sleeping etc…I can’t remember the last time I saw a child suck a thumb x
It probably has something to do with research on how thumbsucking can make a kid’s teeth grow weird past a certain age. Pacifiers can do the same, but it is much easier to get your kid to stop using a pacifier - you can just take it away, while you can’t exactly take your kid’s thumb.
This is an interesting question.
I don’t remember using a pacifier when I was a baby/toddler but the first memories I have are beyond the age of pacifier use. I have been and still am a thumb sucker.
My sister is 5 years younger than I am but I don’t remember whether she used a pacifier or not.
And, although I have not been around my nieces, nephews and other relatives that much, I can’t recall whether they used pacifiers or not. I am ging to have to ask my sister about their use.