Marueen writes
     I'm seeking some ideas/ true stories to help mothers who are nursing
>     their toddlers at night to hear a balanced perspective on what part
>     this activity plays in breastfeeding relationships. I'm talking about
>     those mothers who don't feel that night-time feeds are a problem in
>     their families but feel bombarded by parenting literature that warns
>     them of consequences to their children's sleeping or eating habits. Is
>     there any research that reveals any "after-effects"? From personal
>     experience with 2 toddlers who enjoyed some nursing at night, I can
>     only say that it was pleasant for us and we now have 2 "excellent"
>     sleepers (David,aged 4 years and Ellen, 9 years). Are my biases
>     showing ?? Thanks and good-night!, Maureen

I nursed four children (so far) into toddlerhood.  Weaning times varies
between 1 1/2 years to 3 1/2 years.  I never felt night time feeding was a
problem.  Had family bed (still do for some).  My personal feeling about
all things of baby thru young childhood that we cannot control, feeding,
sitting up, walking, potty learning, weaning etc.  bugs people to death!
If we all would just WATCH and LISTEN to babies and children we would see
that they are very intelligent creachers that will sit up, walk, feed,
wean, potty learn etc when it is time for THEM.  Look at all the stuff on
the market that is wupposed to help or enhance their development, walkers
for them to learn to walk, books that tell how and when we should wean, how
to potty "train" books and tapes, chairs to sit in, bottles just in case
they can't breastfeed or aren't "getting enough", I could go on and on.
It's enough to make you sick.  We are so brainwashed into believing that
some expert knows better than our own instincts, well that expert doesn't
have to raise your child.  It's a shame that we have to have people to help
us fight to get the birth that we want, that there has to be people to help
us nurse our babies because noone around us has done that before.
I have to stop before I get up so high on this passionate ladder of mine!
I'm sure this is not stated very well because this is such a passionate
topic of mine.


Belinda Bohnert <[log in to unmask]> LLLLeader, mom to Joshua (6/84),
Chapin (6/88), Gretchen (9/91), Annaliese (11/93) Due (11/96). Married to
Craig for 14 yrs.  In Indianapolis, Indiana