It certainly wasn't the "extended nursing" that caused the speech delays,
as children all over the world nurse for 2-3-4-5 years and all learn to
speak on time.  I would be very concerned about the neurological health of
a child who would put up with not getting to eat any solid foods until he
was two years old.  "Normal" babies will be demanding food between 6 months
and 12 months, and I don't see how it would be possible to keep solid foods
away from a normal, healthy child of this age.  Why did the mother do this?
 There may indeed be some fallout from not introducing solid foods -- if
that is in fact the culprit.  And if so, it isn't the extended
breastfeeding, but rather the lack of solids.  Inquiring minds want to know
more . . . .
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Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.                         email:
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Anthropology Department                               phone: (409) 845-5256
Texas A&M University                                    fax: (409) 845-4070
College Station, TX  77843-4352
http://www.prairienet.org/laleche/dettwyler.html