What a lovely article, Barb. Thankyou so much for posting it
I admit that at this point, my 'education' on breastfeeding is not yet complete - I am still somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of 'extended' breastfeeding and do not yet see myself doing it, but I am well aware that my feelings on that are due to our society's hang-ups and I hope that the more I read stories like this mother's, the more I will be able to embrace the idea of breastfeeding my own child (for the record, I have nothing but respect for women who do breastfeed their kids for so long, I think it's great - I just don't yet see myself being able to do it because of the pressure from those around me who are less educated) for the first few years of her life instead of just months. I really do hope and pray that one day our society will be just as comfortable, accepting and encouraging of breastfeeding mothers and children as those in Mongolia. Fantastic to see people not just being 'tolerant', but embracing the benefits that breastmilk gives to everybody, not just infants!

As for the 'lazy mother's secret weapon' - my oath it is!! I can't imagine going back to bottles after having it so easy with BFing! Even DH can't believe how placid and easily settled Squirtle is when he compares her to Munchkin at the same age. I personally put it down to BFing - boobie fixes *everything* for her, from a cat scratch to the exhaustion she feels after a long, hard day out and about. I feel a lot more free being able to just pop her in the car to go out without having to prepare and cart around bottles all day

Thanks again for this article, Barb. BB has been an absolutely invaluable resource for so many aspects of parenting, and breastfeeding is definitely right up there on my list of 'things I couldn't have accomplished without BB'! This article and others like it enable me to embrace one of nature's most perfect designs and helps affirm that I'm doing the best thing for my baby and I.