>I am working with a mother who is currently nursing an almost 18 month old.
>About 3 weeks ago, she noticed a hard lump in her daughter's right breast.
>After conferring with the pedi, it was suggested that this was due to
>breastfeeding...

My very first thought was of Kathy Dettwyler's work, which puts our
biologically appropriate "weaning window" at from 2 1/2 to 7 years.
This baby is only halfway to the lower edge of the window.  Once we
redefine "extended breastfeeding" to mean children still nursing past
the age of 7 years, not children nursing past a year, we'll have a
better perspective about the utter normalcy of 18 month old nurslings.

Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC  Ithaca, NY

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