Dear Janet,
I'm sure there is great variation here as well.   Many of the moms in my LLL
group have found that baby seems to step up nursing in the 18mo - 21/2 year
age bracket.  We all have our own theories but no studies to back up.  I
think it may have to do with the "take two steps forward and one back" growth
pattern.  In other words during this time they are becoming very independent
little beings and though they venture out quite a bit they need the security
of knowing mom is there for them when they need her.  During this time they
do seem to be
nursing almost as often as a newborn and it can be fustrating to moms, I
sometimes call it the stand up mom routine (we stand while we eat, read etc.
because otherwise babe is in our laps BFing).  The best book I have found to
help moms get through this period is "Mothering your nursing toddler" by N.
Baumgardner (Spelling?). It is available through LLL and also at bookstores
or can be ordered.  It has been awhile since I have read it but I seem to
remember lots of encouragement that this stage is only a stage and doesn't
last forever.  And if we choose to wean now because we've had a miserable day
maybe we should wait a day because things may look brighter tomorrow.  Hope
this adds to the wealth of information you will no doubtly  receive from
other Lactnetters.
Ilene
Brockton, MA