Dr Jack wrote:  "Ease of separation from the mother at 8 months of age?  It
depends on what considers independence, and how one defines our terms.  Let's
recognize the limitations of studies."  Absolutely! For instance I would
consider ease of separation from mother at 8 months to be a sign of poor
mother-baby attachment whereas others may not.  Sleeping through the night
is another biggie.  And what about co-sleeping, whether it should occur at
all, and if so, when it should end?  How we would define what is "healthy"
from what is not would probably largely depend on which "discipline" was
asking the questions.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe