Kathleen,
      I think I must be the most misunderstood person on Lactnet.  Apparently
I'm not very good at expressing myself.....I did not intend to imply that
breastfeeding on demand (or cue) causes anorexia.  Good gracious, that would
be far-reaching!   Obviously any eating disorder is much more complicated
than merely a relationship to how a person is fed as an infant...  I was
merely referring to the phenomenon  I  have observed in my weight control
counseling that many compulsive overeaters/chronic dieters point to their
childhood and things related to feeding as contributing factors to their
current problems ----for instance--here's a personal example--my mother
always made me clean my plate.  I would have to sit there until I ate it
(occasionally for several hours), even if I hated it.  (Fortunately I like
most foods)--anyway I still feel compelled to clean my plate (or finish the
bag, the box, whatever--I can't abide leftovers.) --  There are several other
negative eating patterns I currently fight that started in my childhood
 (late childhood anyway--I don't remember my infancy)   Consequently I
STRUGGLE with my weight and body image issues--part of the reason I chose
Dietetics as a field of study was to learn about metabolism as it relates to
weight control. (--please don't think I am blaming my mother for my own
psychological problems---I believe each person is responsible for his own
behavior, but certainly interactions with parents  in childhood can influence
 adult patterns of behavior. )  A person who currently eats or overeats for
comfort ( or any reasons unrelated to hunger ) had to learn that somewhere.
 Obviously they can learn this behavior in many ways and from many causes,
some originating in adulthood...not just how they were fed as an infant.    I
can also see how a person (adult, teen, whatever) could begin eating
inappropriately (or not eating) to meet needs that are/were unmet in
infancy/childhood, INCLUDING not being fed when they were hungry because of a
rigid schedule.    But I can certainly also see POTENTIAL (NOT a proven
direct association) for learning inappropriate eating patterns from
consistently being given food as a panacea for whatever ails.  I definitely
think a child's needs should be met (all of them)--I just don't think
breastfeeding (or any type of feeding) is always the appropriate choice.  I
am also not saying it should NEVER be used for comfort----I myself comforted
Hayden several times at the breast today when he wasn't feeling well
--teething,gas,some nasal congestion, and nothing else was working. He had
been awake for over 6 hours and was exhausted.  He was finally able to sleep
after about 3 minutes at the breast, mostly non-nutritive sucking--I didn't
hear much swallowing (and only about 1.5 hours since the last feeding......so
you see, I can be flexible--I fed "on demand" and then some today, for
reasons other than hunger.  approx. every 1.5-2.5 hours all day)  It has been
an exhausting day for both of us, but I was MORE THAN HAPPY to meet his needs
today and any other day (or night--our "day" started at 4:30 am.)

***I officially apologize for any inference I made regarding feeding on
demand and eating disorders--please believe it was NOT intentional.  I really
really really hope I was clear this time.

Laura