What I would mean by what you are saying is that I want to be pampered and cared for. I think there are ways to get that as an adult without the thumb sucking (I had braces when I was 29/30 and checked after I got them off and my mouth was no longer the same mouth as when I was 3-4, was not "mine" anymore :-( My husband pats my bottom every night before I go to bed. It's a ritual, kind of taking over from the good night kiss adults sometimes give children. Too, because our heights are different, I can stand on a step or he in front of one and look at the other and we "assume positions" for a hug :-) We have found that we fit together well if I'm on a step so now we make a game of looking for steps everywhere, LOL.

Talk to your husband, see what he likes (backrubs? hugs?) in the comfort department and let him know what would feel good to you. It doesn't have to have anything "childish" about it, that's your own wording and memories and thoughts getting in the way again. My husband loves having his head in my lap while I pet it (he's bald so I can't very well pet much hair :-) but that's not one of my things (me with my head in his lap). You can get whatever care you want now by asking for it (I hope) and extending the same to others. We all need touch and care, all our lives. I learned about touch really really late, in my 50's, when rubbing my stepmother's (in her 80's) back. Took me back to being 5 and 6 with her and healed a whole lot of things.