Well, I stand corrected, regarding the offering the breast to an older
child. Karen, Teresa and Patty all had excellent points. I guess, I have
offered to my son; when he was hurt, sick or cranky. I have also offered
when I was experiencing plugged milk ducts. I have followed his lead, he did
not want to nurse in public, but I suppose there are many children that are
very comfortable doing so.

Unfortunately we live in a society and culture where it is considered "
abnormal" to nurse an older child. There is a certain harassment to wean
beginning at around 12 months of age. Friends and family ask in a whisper
"are you STILL nursing?" Thankfully, my husband is completely supportive and
we believe that child-led weaning is best, no matter how long it takes. But
the reality is, our culture in general does not support extended
breastfeeding. There is also the fear of having your child taken away, many
mom's I have spoken to who nurse older children are very concerned that
could happen, it lurks in our minds.. It is a vicious cycle, the more we see
mother's nurse older children the more socially acceptable it would be, but
most people wont..for it is " not socially acceptable".

Mary Anderson,
Mommy
Doula (DONA)
CBE

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html