Hi everyone A friend of mine, who is a physician & nursing a 4 year old, recently told me that her colleagues are concerned that extended breastfeeding will greatly increase her risk of post menopausal osteoporosis. My helpful husband (the scientific literature searcher & librarian) did a Medline literature search and boned up on the topic for us. In a review of the medical literature from 1966 to the present, 20 studies reported breastfeeding as protective or neutral in relation to osteoporosis. Only 3 indicated any negative relationship at all. Of course these studies vary in depth and we cannot simply think that it is a vote of 17 to 3. We will compile a list of these references, with abstracts, in the next week or so. Private email if you want a copy. Sarah Friend Barnett, M.A., LLL leader, IBCLC Bronx (New York City), NY [log in to unmask]