Nine years of helping children to stop sucking

By Jo Bates, our founder

Time really does fly. It seems just like yesterday that Thumbsie was started at my daughter’s school gates. But, incredibly, last month Thumbsie® celebrated its ninth birthday. Thats nine years of helping children to stop sucking their thumbs and fingers.

Like all products, Thumbsie® started as an idea. My daughter, Izzy, was struggling with a thumb sucking habit and I couldn’t find an effective product to help her quit. By discussing this problem with fellow mums and dads, I discovered an all-important “gap in the market” and have never looked back.

I’m so proud of all that the team and I have achieved since 2013, but we take nothing for granted. Indeed, 2021-22 has been one of our busiest and most innovative years.

Penguin Thumbsie® Thumb Guard

£9.95

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We’re especially proud to have launched our new green mailing bags, which are made of 100% recycled materials with biodegradable additive. We also ensure we use less packaging wherever possible. And, on top of that, our popular Thumbs Up For Ted’s Thumbsie book is printed by one of the UK’s only certified carbon balanced printers.

It’s not just in our packaging that we are demonstrating our commitment to the environment. We’ve also been running a special spring giveaway. Throughout March, we have been giving away a pack of wildflower seed bombs along with every order of two or more Thumbsise®. It’s been a delight to see the reaction this scheme has received. We’ve really loved reading your messages. Keep planting those seeds!

Over the last year, we have continued to be recognised as a thriving and successful business, winning silver at both the MadeForMums awards and the Best Business Women awards.

And I’ve really enjoyed entering into the world of mentorship, acting as a Duke of Edinburgh Assessor for Izzy’s friend, Ruby.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the amazing support we receive from you: our customers.

Since the very first day, children have been at the very heart of Thumbsie®. It’s great to hear that so many kids enjoy the responsibility of choosing their own design. It’s that sense of inclusion and ownership that makes Thumbsie® such a success in helping children to stop sucking.

One of my favourite parts of the job is reading about how Thumbsie® has changed children’s lives. I truly love reading your success stories and seeing all the photos we receive for #lovemythumbsie; do keep sending them in.

Here’s a selection of just a few of the recent messages we’ve received:

“We love the Thumbsie! Our son is taking responsibility and wanting to wear it to stop sucking his thumb. He picked his own design which has helped a lot. Thank you!” Anna

“Our daughter loved them – she even renamed them ‘thumbnozzles’!” Richard

“The only thing that has worked to help my daughter stop sucking her thumb. Very well made and she loves the fun designs.” Kate

“Our kids love the designs, and they had an instantaneous impact on them stopping sucking!” Nick

So, what next for Thumbsie®? Well, we are so proud of the community we have built, and we intend to keep developing that over the coming years. There really is nothing better than seeing a child overcome a frustrating, and sometimes damaging, habit.

I love my job as much today as when I started nine years ago. I love searching for new fabrics and designs which children will love. And we regularly update our selection of fabrics. Currently our newest – and most popular – Thumbsie is this cute Koala Bear.

Thanks again to all our loyal customers – mums, dads, and above all, the thousands of children who have stopped thumb sucking with the help of their cool, fun and affordable Thumbsie®!