Today 7 mothers came to the BF info session we have on our ward.  I always
talk about duration of BF, comparing our nat'l guidelines with WHO's and
then telling a little about what we know from anthropological studies (love
that 2.5-7 year window of normal weaning age!), and why/how weaning happens
between 12-18 months very often in this country.  I also said something as I
always do, about how they were sure to know someone who had BF a lot longer
than the now nearly obligatory 12 months, but that they might not know it
because it doesn't necessarily show, we don't keep stats on it, and that we
don't know of any age at which breastmilk is harmful for people.

After we were done, one of the mothers approached me alone and said 'What
would be the advantages of BFing for several years, anyway?'  I carefully
said something about breast cancer and osteoporosis, trying not to show how
defensive the question made me feel.  She nodded, and smiled, and said 'I
have two other children and I've breastfed them for 3 years each, and I want
to have something to say when people ask me about this with this baby.  I
almost feel they've made fun of me about it!'

Naturally I piled it on thick after that, telling her about language
development, attachment, security, dental health...  the works.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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