I had also heard that many yrs back. Though I am not sure how accurate that  
is-- I thought I remember at a conference that this was no longer/ or wasn't  
true.(anyone know if that is correct?) Maybe once long long ago when  more of 
the world breastfed. I also like how you said "there are other ways to  do 
things than the ways we do them here in the 
US." This is so true! We only  seem to think the way we do things in the US 
is the right way.
 
What I use is the analogy of walking. Some babies walk early at 8 mths and  
some walk at 12mths and others at 16 mths all are within the normal range for  
walking. Now we don't/can't make the 16mth walk at 8mths nor can we make the  
8mth wait to walk till 16mths. Nursing is much like that, we have are  "early" 
weaners at 2yrs and then some fall into around 3yrs and then those  who don't 
wean till 4yrs or more. All ages fall within the normal ranges for  when 
babies wean. Now since I work with more new moms I don't usually talk about  past 
4yrs (unless they ask) only so not scare them when they are just trying to  
make it to 1 yr. So usually by saying how 2 yrs-4yrs  is normal then  nursing a 
1 yr old isn't such a long time. I also relate how for humans our  normal 
range of nursing  (K. Dettwyler says 3-7yrs) just as other  animals have an age 
range at which time their babies wean. It is just because of  our *cultural* 
that we think nursing a child x yrs old is not right or needed. I  also give out 
K. Dettwyler's A Time to Wean article out when moms want  to know more or have 
something to show others
_http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBMayJun95p86.html_ 
(http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBMayJun95p86.html) 
 
Kim Ann Lorber
mom to 4 breastfed boys
LLL Leader
 
 
 
In a message dated 4/15/2005 7:18:40 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

Yes, the  other thing I do is tell people that world wide weaning age is 
about 4  years old.
There are usually looks of shock, but it exposes expectant and  new 
parents to the fact that
there are other ways to do things than the  ways we do them here in the 
US.

Naomi  Bar-Yam


 

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