In a message dated 96-05-29 Laurie W. writes:

>Personally, I am experiencing some ambivalence about this, as I am nursing a
>21 mo old.  I feel the stares and uneasiness of friends, family, strangers.

Laurie, I know how you feel.  My family is disgusted that I am still BF Ben,
my 21 mo old.  And when we nurse out in public I get a real mix of "that's
gross" looks (usually from women who think that BF is gross anyway, and the
leering looks of some really twisted men) and "how sweet" looks (usually from
little old ladies who say they wish they could have BF their babies longer!)
.  However, I am more than a bit rebellious, and could really care less what
others think.  I refuse to be a closet nurser, though can totally understand
why someone would end up doing that.  There have been times when the people
around me have been so rude with comments and staring, that I have told Ben
"Later honey"  just to protect myself.  (And it takes a lot to intimidate
me!)
The best thing we can continue to do, however, is to keep on BF!  SO many
times a teenager or younger child has come up to me while I'm BF Ben, and
said that they didn't know kids his size BF.  They were intrigued!  Sow the
seeds...
Also, in the local WIC office, I have BF Ben a number of times, and get a lot
of questions asked of me about BF older babies.  I don't always enjoy being
"the example", but we need someone to get out there and show folks it's OK to
BF toddlers, and OK to BF in general.  I also BF very discreetly, and have
had many young moms ask for lessons!  Hey, whatever works to get them BF!
Keep up the great BF work, and try not  to let others push you into the
closet.  It's too dark and too full of junk to BF in!  :D
Jay Simpson