Very interesting questions you raise Kika!!!  As a LLL Leader I have not
seen that reason given for weaning, but then most Moms who continue
coming to meetings with toddlers still nursing are in it for the long
haul anyway.  I have heard of 'mainstream' mothers wanting to wean
because they had a boy and felt it was sexual to keep nursing.

Now personally, my eldest son nursed until he was 6.5 years old.  He is
now 7.5, and he very definitely remembers nursing.  And very fondly too!
I have asked him what his memories/thoughts are about it---

Basically, he sees them as a nurturing, soft warm place.  That nursing
meant I loved him!  The milk tasting good was a plus.  Nothing
whatsoever that my breasts are sexual...and why should he?  He has only
ever seen them used for their intended purpose.  And now that he has two
siblings who have/are nursing he sees them being used to comfort and
feed his siblings, in fact if the baby is crying he brings him to me and
says mommy I think he wants to nurse!!!

Now I should mention that by his own volition, he stopped nursing in
public at about 3.5 because he felt that his friends and 'people'
wouldn't understand him still nursing.  My daughter in the other hand
still regularly asks to nurse in public and she is 4.5, people don't
seem to be offended by her nursing still.  So yes I do think the general
public sees girls breastfeeding as 'OK' but not boys.  I already have
had a few strangers ask me if my 6 month old baby BOY is still nursing!

Robyn Roche-Paull
LLLL San Diego
******************
Mama to Morgan (7), Siobhan (4), and Tiernan (6 months old)
********************************************
Who can say what flows through the breast along with the nutrients and
antibodies?
Perhaps our children grow strong on memory, spirit, dream and story...
********************************************

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