Hey there Questioning Little. I guess that everyone who is drawn to 'little' things, does so with a unique interest. It's clear that not everyone who enjoys diapers is regressive, and may simply have an attraction to the diaper...the same could be said of anything I suppose. A pacifier is not an awkward thing to have in your mouth, in fact it can feel quite relaxing to just mindlessly play with one in your mouth, but that doesn't necessarily indicate an oral fixation or mean that you are a little.
to help out a bit, I describe my self as having a little side, and at times I have a strong desire to behave little.... When I respond to that desire, I feel a completely different sensation and my thinking shifts considerably to the point where my experience and the sensations I have are very much like a little or toddler. I feel much quiter, more timid and vulnerable...definitely more clutchy and needy. I have a heightened sence of things going on around me, and become much more interested in exploring. The other thing is that I become very attuned to my feelings and to physical sensations. It is a very unique experience, and quite different from just playing a game.
It's not as though I lose complete touch with reality or my adult self, though these can slip quite a way into the background during a deep regression, and I admit that entering a bit of role play does certainly encourage the regression...therefore, things like diapers, pacifiers, teddies etc. while feeling appropriate during regression, also act as triggers.
So I hope that helps a bit, just saying that for me there is no mistaking the little side....but then this is something I've been familiar with as long as I can remember. An interesting side note about 'stuff' I recently bought an awesome pair of Spiderman Pjs which were very kid like, and while I really like wearing them, they fail to trigger my regression :dunno: ... clearly they don't fit the 'age appropriateness' of my little side..... could be like your paci for example, something you just enjoy but not necessarily triggering anything.
Well since I'm on a roll here....hahaha. The other night I was watching a show about transgendered kids, and it struck me while watching this little boy who was given the freedom to fully express himself as he desired (as a girl), that there is a great similarity here to the way I've always felt...not any desire to assume an alternate gender, but in the same way, an alternate 'age/personality' The happiness he displayed in his freedom exactly mirrored the way I have felt even from the time I was a little kid....alternately, the sadness, shame and frustration of constantly curtailing that desire.
The bottom line I guess, is that none us need worry about fitting a stereotype, we are who we are, and ought to be free to express ourselves as we wish (barring anything that might be harmful to others)
So enjoy your paci and if that happens to draw out any alternate feelings then that's wonderful and go for it. Otherwise "don't worry, be happy"