In reply to Kim's question,
<< >Does anyone have a better term than "Extended" nursing?>>

Norma wrote, << How about: *The normal course of breastfeeeding* ?  >>

But Norma,, as I understand both Kathy D.'s research and also what I see
around me, bf until 4, or 6, is neither more nor less normal than weaning at
2.5.

(and while 2.5 is a long time for Joe American to be bf, I don't think most
of us in lactation land have it in mind when we talk about 'extended' or
'long term' bf.)

That's my issue with 'sustained' bf, too -- it sounds like moms whose
toddlers have happily weaned themselves have failed to sustain bf!

Winnie's suggestion of 'natural weaning' is nice in some ways, especially
when we are trying to focus on the weaning part of the process.  But in cases
like Kim's where we are trying to focus on the older child *not* necessarily
weaning right now,  it seems a backward way to refer to, say, a three year
old who -- while theoretically he may be in the weaning process, since he
eats solids and drinks OJ -- isn't weaning any time soon in the ordinary
sense of 'being done with bf."

I forget who suggested 'long term bf' but I liked that right away and have
resolved to use it.   Makes clear what you are talking about, and is value
free.    I like letting the preaching preach, and the definitions just be
definitions, as much as possible.

Elisheva

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html