My reply to an extended nursing thread...

in another group.

Quote:

Quote:

 I think it's just like anything else you try to ween your child from... bottles, pacifiers, etc... 

 

Actually, no it's not. The things you mentioned are artificial substitutes for nursing at the breast which should be used for only a short period of time because they can lead to dental problems like rampant decay and misalignment. Neither of which is the case for breastfeeding full-term (at least 2 years). Of course, there comes a time when a child should stop BFing. However, that time is (in the vast majority of cultures and throughout human history) not at one or even two years. That time is when the child is ready to stop because they have developed other methods of coping with separation anxiety, grew out of the instinct to suckle and have fully formed immune and digestive systems. That time is different for every child.