I've been reading with interest the story of the six year old breastfeeding. I know some of you think it is "impossible to force a child" that age to breastfeed but I would have to disagree. A young child can be forced or coerced to do just about anything. When people ask me how long they should nurse, I usually answer as long as the mother and baby are happy with it. That can be 2 months or 2 years. I have had a handful of (closet) nursers who have breastfed 4 and 5 year olds. I am supportive of it as long as the relationship seems healthy - the child is happy and has playmates his/her own age. I think it is a form of abuse to force or coerce an older child to nurse against his wishes. While most breastfeeding relationships are beneficial and healthy, we shouldn't dismiss the fact that there might be a occassional one that isn't. Susan Nachman-Srebrnik, IBCLC Ranana, Israel *********************************************** 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