Extended breastfeeding causing osteoporisis?  Not according to what
I've read.  It's my understanding that the full research showed that
while some bone loss occurred during nursing, after weaning it
rebounded to better than before.  The problem was that the initial
publication of research seemed to indicate that nursing beyond 3
months increased the risk.  What really happened shows why we need
to read research carefully.
Supposedly those funding the research were insisting that some
results be published even though the study was not complete.  What
they had was the results from moms that had weaned before 3 months
as well as those still nursing.  Since the ones still nursing hadn't
rebounded yet, they did show some loss.  Hence the conclusion that
nursing beyond 3 months was a risk.  When the study was complete,
however and ALL the moms had been followed past weaning whenever it
occurred, all showed the rebound.
As we've seen by the recent postings about LCs facing breast cancer,
breastfeeding is no guarantee that some of these health problems
won't occur.  What it does do is shift the odds toward the side of
not getting the problem.
Whether in this case since the mom already has osteoporosis, weaning
would be appropriate is beyond my knowledge.  I hope there are
others who can address this.
Winnie

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