Hmmm, my SIL used to give her son a bottle of milk as she rocked him before
bedtime when he was 4 yo. Another SIL allowed her then 4 yo son to walk
around with a pacifier in his mouth all the time. I know countless children
who sucked their thumb or fingers at age 4 yo and beyond. Would anyone say
my SILs or the other moms were not good mothers based solely on the oral
habits of their children at 4 yo?

Here are some ideas for you:

A child's immune system is not fully developed until age 5 and breastmilk
provides the appropriate immune factors the child needs until then.

The natural age of weaning is between 2.5 and 7 yo according to Texas A&M
anthropologist, Katherine Dettwyler, PhD.

Pat W who would laugh in the face of anyone who tried to say I'm not a good
mother because my 5 yo still nurses.

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