Hello, All: I've been following this thread with interest as it backs up my theory that breastfeeding is an evolutionary process over time. Why would one think, or expect, a 2 year old to be feeding 8-12 times in 24 hours with each feeding lasting 30+ minutes, as is the norm for a newborn? But yet, this is the perception that people have about breastfeeding and I think is one of the main reasons why mothers (at least here in the USA) wouldn't dream of considering long-term breastfeeding. I use my support group to help educate mothers that breastfeeding changes over time. At the group they can see babies of different ages nursing and have an opportunity to talk with each other. Nursing a 1 week old is way different than nursing a 1 month old and a 1 year old. The 3-5 month time frame is when I begin to get the panicked phone calls of not having enough milk, with the phone call being made to me on the way home from the 4 month well-baby check at which the baby has been proclaimed perfect for weight and development. Why? Because her breasts now feel soft between feedings and the feeding that used to take 30-45 minutes is now done in 10. Mom perceives these 2 events as not having enough milk and baby not getting enough, even though he acts content, rather than a normal breastfeeding course. Encouraging mothers to attend LLLI meetings or a nursing moms support group at the hospital is invaluable in helping moms become comfortable with the entire spectrum of breastfeeding. Pam Hirsch, BSN,RN,IBCLC Clinical Lead, Lactation Services Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL USA *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html