If breastfeeding for two years is this psychiatrist's definition of
mental illness, I wouldn't go near him.  What else does he consider
"mental illness"?  Loving your children?  Eating scrambled eggs?

Is he aware that the Talmud and Koran enjoin mothers to breastfeed for
two years? Does he not know what goes on in most of the rest of the
world?  In the rest of the world where people seem to need psychiatrists
less--where children are often nursed for a normal period of time (3-4
years)?

If this psychiatrist is so ignorant of what exists outside the
cloistered confines of his mind, I would be pleased to discuss this
issue with him.

Perhaps what he said was merely some sort of provocative statement to
get the mother talking or to test some sort of response.  This is to
give him the benefit of the doubt.  But maybe *he's* mentally ill.

For the form:  Breastmilk is still milk and thus contains protein, fat,
carbohydrate, growth factors, and immunological factors, some in greater
amounts at 2 years than earlier.  And breastfeeding gives comfort and
love to the child, and comforts the mother and increases her self esteem
and self confidence.  You'd think a psychiatrist would prescribe
extended (actually normal) breastfeeding to his women patients.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC