Dear Mr. Harder,

Ms. xxx sent me the url for your article on toddler nursing, and I am afraid
that your article misses some important points. I also feel that your
putdown of this mother who really only wants to do the best for her children
was rather unkind and unfair.

Perhaps a few corrections might be in order. In the first place, the CICH,
and the Canadian Paediatric Society (in an official statement) do not
recommend breastfeeding to 2 years. They recommend breastfeeding to two
years and beyond. UNICEF and WHO make the same recommendations.

You imply that, by continuing breastfeeding older children, Ms. xxx is
somehow impeding their development, but this is untrue. Children, left to
themselves, will wean themselves from the breast, on their own, at between
two and four years of age. Not only does this approach *not* make them less
independent or grown up, this approach of self weaning results in children
who are often far *more* independent who generally have greater self esteem.
This is because they make the step to stop breastfeeding in confidence and
when they are ready, and thus they are far more secure in their
independence. They have received what altogether too many children in our
society don't receive.

Of course, and overdependent relationship can develop with breastfeeding,
just as it can with toilet training, or any other aspect of child
development. But not just because the child is older than what we are used
to in our society. Once upon a time, and it is still true in some societies,
a mother nursing a 4 year old would not have caused the commotion that
occurred in the Y. Are you sure *we* have it right?  There are an awful lot
of unhappy neurotic people around.

You might be interested (though I suspect you won't be) in checking the
website http://www.erols.com/cindyrn/drjack0.htm and look up the info sheet
"Breastfeed a toddler--why on earth?" It might give you some perspective on
this issue.

Yours truly, etc

I don't expect an answer and certainly not a change of heart. The Sun has a
reputation for journalists who have opinions and not thoughts. Thinking
interferes with deadlines.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC