Replies to '10/07 The Latest Debates'

Ok, I couldn't let this comment go... I am wondering if you can post any links to some valid, scientific research, giving an age for when a woman should wean her child from bresatfeeding, and also some evidence for the point at which breastfeeding becomes unnecessary.   

I don't think you can, but in the true spirit of a fair debate, I'm willing to read any links you can give me that are scientifically based and that support your views.  And I hope you will check out these links... Essentially, they state that there is no age at which you should force your child wean and that there are health/nutritional and emotional benefits that continue beyond one year of age. 

American Academy of Pediatrics' Policy Paper: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk (see point # 10 under "Recommendations on Breastfeeding for Healthy Term Infants".   

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496#SEC2 

Nursing After the First Year 

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/index.html 

Extended Breastsfeeding Fact Sheet 

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html 

Extended Breastfeeding Myths 

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-myths.html 

Signed, 

One-half of a happily nursing duo (the other half being my nearly 20 mo. old son) AND the Librarian for my local La Leche League chapter (www.lalecheleague.org) 

PS: La Leche has no policy pushing anyone to breastfeed any longer than they want to (1 mo., 6 mos., 3 yrs., or whenever)- they only are there to support women in an otherwise horribly unsupportive culture, to do what our bodies were meant to do (feed our children).