hi, i have to argue w/ linda smith's comment concerning a 'window of time.' i wrote last week about a nursing strike of a 12 month old after a bout of the flu. teh mom was agonizing over it, but she felt, in the back of her head, that this was really a weaning based on other signs leading up to the nursing strike. she pumped and offered and bathed w/ baby for 7 1/2 days. weds the liitle boy latched on and nursed during day while she was on the phone then once again when he woke grumpy in themidst of a nap. he hasn't nursed since. she's still pumping but is feeling like he has fulfilled his need for nursing and has probably weaned. she's going to keep pumping as long as she can keep off her supply and offer in a sippy cup in the hopes that some temper tantrum might bring him back. :) but when these little guys are done sometimes they are really done. there are so very strong-willed kids out here that really know their own minds. if the need is there, they aren't going to wean w/o a tremendous, recognizable battle. and on the otherhand, if they are done, they are done. this mom offers in themiddle of the night when her osn wakes and he bites her(she says gently as if to say, get that outta my mouth, i'm done). as we all know, you simply can not force someone to nurse! deborah danzeiser