A Thumb’s Up for Thumb-Sucking?

A recent study says there may be a link between childhood thumbsucking and fewer allergies in later life. Should you encourage it?

It’s a sight that rattles the nerves of some parents: a child who loves to suck his thumb or bite her nails.

Turns out it’s a self-soothing behavior for these children – and here’s some news that might help soothe the nerves of their parents, too.

A recent study, published in the July issue of Pediatrics, says there may actually be a positive to what many parents see as bad habits. The study, part of a long-term research project in …read more