HI all, Alright - I confess - I sucked my thumb till I was in second grade, when I got disgusted and made my sister hide my "lovey" to help break the habit. Now I know that my palate was stuck; I was bottlefed on a schedule; needed several years' orthodontia for a wide overbite and narrow palate, and recently had manipulative treatments that AT LAST aligned some of my facial bones. Looking back through the analytic eyes of an LC, I was probably trying to rearrange my palate and cranial bones from the inside, trying to get more food, and trying to self-comfort in the days of "don't pick them up, you'll spoil them." Probably in that order. I firmly believe that a higher-than-normal "need" to suck - you all know these kids (I had one too) - is a symptom of a problem that needs to be addressed. The answer is not to plug them, but to find the problem and the solution. Some need more food (most of them, usually). Some babies need much more skin contact and massage. (this was the answer for my daughter) Some need some manipulative treatment for bony misalignment. Some need oralmotor therapy to help organize muscle contraction patterns. etc. etc. I still contend that there is no biologic need for pacifiers. If someone thinks a baby "needs" one, the cause should be carefully investigated and remedied. Nature's pacifiers are called "breasts" which are conveniently attached to "mothers." Linda Smith, wearing a light gold "Something wonderful to grow on" shirt from Diana Designs today, and nearing the home stretch in my Breastfeeding Shirt-a-day celebration of world breastfeeding week that stretched to a month. Dayton, Ohio.