This is very interesting because this is what happened to me.  When my baby
was approx. 13 months of age, my husband suffered a stroke and developed a
very serious condition called CNS Vasculitis.  He nearly died and took alot
of my time at the hospital.  Because of this, my milk started to dry up.
One day, while my baby trying to nurse, she sucked out some blood.  It
scared me terribly.  I went to the doctor and she told me that since I had
very little milk, my baby had to suck very hard to get the milk out.  She
advised me to stop.  I was devastated.  I believe in baby led weaning and
this is not what I wanted.  I would also like to point that my daughter was
a thumb sucker and I was told several months later that this also might have
had something to do with her weaning.

Anyway, several months later (6 months, I believe)  I was holding my baby
and she asked out of the blue for num-num.  She had never asked before that.
I put her to the breast and I had milk.  Not very much, but I did.  She
nursed for maybe 5 minutes.  When she got milk out, she stopped.  She really
didn't like getting the milk.  I feel she just wanted to comfort.  Anyway,
since then, off and on she will ask to nurse.  She doesn't stay on for very
long and it's not everyday.  Sometimes she wants to just lay next to my bare
breast with her thumb in my mouth.

She has just turned 3 years old and yesterday asked for num-num.  I am very
pleased, even though it's not everyday and I really don't have the milk.
It's more for comfort for both of us.  Something that was a blessing to me.
This has given me a chance to say goodbye the way that I wanted it.  This is
my last child.

Anyway, hope this helps.  As we know, there are many reasons to
breastfeed--not just for nutrition.

Carrie
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