Hi There,
There is some research that looks at the health impact of breastfeeding
beyond 1 year and yes, some studies have found that children who have been
weaned are more likely to be sick (and in a developing country context, more
likely to die). There has also found to be an impact on cognitive
development. The research looking at the health of mothers is quite
significant, especially when it comes to breast cancer and hip fracture,
women up to halve their risk of breast cancer by breastfeeding each of their
children for 2 years or more, women reduce their risk of hip fracture by 2/3
by breastfeeding each child for >1year.
As to other effects, I'm in the process of writing up my study of the
experiences of women and children of breastfeeding beyond 2 years...107
women, 114 children in the study. It's going to take me a while to get it
all done but I am picking away at it! I have already presented some of the
results in Australia and will be talking about the study at the NZLCA in
Christchurch in May! The study asked the children what they thought about
breastfeeding, as far as I am aware this is the first time that the opinion
of the actual breastfeeders has been considered.
Karleen Gribble
Australia

We know that nursing up to a year really helps mom and baby i=
> n=20
> so many ways.  But how does it affect older children and moms? I was=20
> unable to find any studies in the US on the topic.  Women here must=20
> be "closet nursing," or noone has decided to research it yet?
>    Has anyone come across research that shows how prolonged breastfeeding=
> =20
> affects kids and their parents?  I have only heard anecdotal evidence=20
> about this subject. I would love to hear what is happening in research=20=
>
> abroad as well.
>
> I can't wait to hear what you have to say.  Thanks,=20
> A hopeful nursing student.=20

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