I tried to make the subject line useful for the archives - but I don't mean
to imply that I teach how long moms "should" nurse.  I usually talk about
the milk changing based on baby's needs - from the special milk a preemie
mom makes for her baby to the changes in quality and quantity that continue
throughout the nursing period.

I usually mention that the antibodies continue to be present throughout the
nursing experience, so mom keeps on "vaccinating" her baby.

Then we discuss what ages they have heard/seen a baby nurse.  sometimes
they go on to age 5 and up - and lots of astounded faces.

At this point, rather than asking these moms (or the professionals, if that
is the group I am teaching) how long breastfeeding should continue - I put
it in such a way that I am _asking_ them to be accepting and supportive of
those moms who choose to continue breastfeeding for longer than our culture
finds "normal".  In this way, I open up the idea of extended nursing
without asking anyone to sign a contract that they will breastfeed for x
number of days, weeks, months or years.


Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC, LLLL
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Project Director - Proyecto Lacta - Puerto Rico
http://netdial.caribe.net/~prlacta/
Lactancia Materna '98 - La Mejor Inversion