Re osteogenesis imperfecta -- there are many different degrees of this
disease.  Many people with it survive into early adulthood, and often end
up dying from things like minor car accidents.

Re personal stories -- I have found it immensely useful to tell people my
personal experiences, both with bottle-feeding a baby with formula, and
with nursing until 5.5 years (different kids, obviously).  Many a mother
who is seeking assurance that she is *not* crazy for nursing her 2.5 year
old is very pleased to discover that there are regular folks out there who
nurse for 4, 5, 6, 7 years and longer.  Many a mother who has ended up
bottle-feeding a baby because of whatever circumstances is pleased to
discover that even breastfeeding advocates can be sympathetic/empathetic
and comforting and acknowledge her feelings of loss and grief, as well as
discovering that "once a bottle-feeder" doesn't necessarily mean "always a
bottle-feeder" (i.e., that conditions like "insufficient milk" may not have
been due to her body's inability to make enough milk, but rather to poor
advice.)


Just my humble opinions.

Kathy Dettwyler, Ph.D.