On the subject of how to answer the "how long did you nurse YOUR babies"
question, I use a line I learned from Ann Calandro (thanks, Ann!) to the effect
that I nursed both for "more than a year"--especially if I am talking to a  mom
who is struggling to "survive" the first few weeks of painful nursing (typically
brought on by mismanagement, but that is another soapbox that is already
occupied much of the time here!). The last thing she needs to hear is that I
nursed for 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 years. Occasionally I will answer the question
directly if it seems appropriate but I always say that it was something that was
right for ME and MY CHILDREN (and fortunately my husband), and that different
children have different needs. This is not a contest--we don't get good mother
"points" for how many months or years we nurse--we do get "points" for how well
we meet the needs of our children.

Melissa Vickers, IBCLC
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