Note added 12/11/08: Many thanks to Hawaii for his blog on this topic (Breastfeeding, a Bit of Data).

Preamble: Recent debate—pointed out by a new member—about this article has prompted me to make a few clarifications to avoid further misinterpretations. First, this article refers to a fanatical minority of mothers and I have made minor text adjustments to clarify that point throughout. Second, I have added some commentary in response to criticisms, which appear in italicized parentheticals. I would also like to express the opinion that there can be great flexibility in parental practices without compromising functionality, but that context must be considered. That said, this article is intended to promote examination of a topic, not to offend those who make well-informed, context-dependent choices. In the spirit of Open2it, I hope that readers will ask questions and point out logical flaws (as well as data) so we can all benefit from the wisdom of an informed and astute collective. Onward. . .

Recently, I found a video on YouTube about a British mother who has extended breastfeeding to an extreme—regularly nursing one 8-year-old daughter and having nursed another for five years—and I posted it on Open2it. I was hoping for some insightful feedback and, indeed, it wasn’t long before a member suggested just what I had thought myself: that extremely extended breastfeeding is more about the mother’s needs than those of her children.