Barbara Wilson-Clay writes:

>I swear I don't make these things up, and I AM talking about neonates, not
>older kids (who may have other things going on if they suddenly take up
>digit or pacifier sucking).

The "other things going on" are that they've been weaned.  It is neither
rare nor unexpected for a child under the age of 6-7 years to take up thumb
sucking once they have been weaned from the breast, even if they were nursed
for 3-4-5 years.

Research has shown that the act of *sucking* is soothing and pain-relieving,
and lowers heart rate and blood pressure and respiratory rate.  This is true
whether one is a neonate, a toddler, or an adult.  Sucking on something is
*calming*.

Kathy Dettwyler

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