It would certainly seem that some babies just have MUCH higher sucking needs
than do other children.  My 1st son was latched on and/or thumb in mouth for
the first six months of life.  He never did seem to come up for air.  Good
thing he was first and I had no other reference for "normal" behavior!  [The
next one slept 2 hours btw feedings and I checked every 10 minutes to see if
he was breathing because he seemed so autonomous by comparison!]  At any
rate, the first child breastfed til nearly 3 yrs of age and was most
assuredly weaned prematurelyfor his needs.  He continued to suck his thumb
until he was at least nine and, ironically, is the only one of my children
(the others weren't weaned until 5.5 yrs) who does not need any orthodontic
work!  His thumb always went way back to the "S" spot and his palate is
textbook normal - or is that reference.  No answers here, just more
questions...

Gretchen Andrews, BA, IBCLC
private practice, Redlands, So CA, USA

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