http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.html

Kathy Dettwyler, in the above article, discusses that weaning has always 
had a cultural aspect to it - but working on the 'milk teeth' analysis 
and postulating from other mammals, the 'natural' age of weaning would 
be anywhere from 5 to 7 years. She suggests a common self-wean age is 
between 3 and 4 years.

In context, this is usually about peer pressure from other children - 
although that's my point, not Dettwyler's.  :-)

There is evidence, from modern mothers who have nursed to about 7 years, 
that the suckling ability actually atrophies, and there is a point where 
children can no longer do it properly.  So the breast doesn't empty, and 
thus lactation begins to shut down.

I've always postulated that statements of record on much older children 
still suckling, might have to do with how long nutritionally challenged 
communities might take to get their children to 'maturity'.  But there 
just isn't enough evidence and research. 

About 7 is also when brain tissue is finally in place in the human 
brain.  I've often  thought there is an obvious connection there - but, 
again, not enough evidence or research.

Morgan Gallagher


Marit Olanders wrote:
> In the human Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness ... do/did the 
> children breastfeed until they ceased by themselves? Or do/did the 
> mothers , wean them? Where can I find more information about this?
>
> Marit Olanders
> breastfeedeing consellor in the Swedish assosciation Amningshjälpen
> editor of Amningshjälpen's magazine Amningsnytt
>
>             ***********************************************
>
> Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
> Mail all commands to [log in to unmask]
> To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
> To start it again: set lactnet mail (or 
> [log in to unmask])
> To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet or 
> ([log in to unmask])
> To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> --No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 
> 269.9.6/865 - Release Date: 24/06/2007 08:33
>
>

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
Mail all commands to [log in to unmask]
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or [log in to unmask])
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet or ([log in to unmask])
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]