If the 8 year old is still breastfeeding for comfort purposes I think we have to think how it impacts on the child. Will the child be teased? will the child develop emotionally? Will the child still complete milestones in his/her early social/emotional development when the child is relying on the booby for comfort instead of looking to the outside world also eg talking, using and sharing expression, learning conflict managment skills, problem solving

Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing, a wonderful experience. An experience for mum and baby, but maybe not mum and pre teen. Just coming from a developmental perspective I think its an issue I think you would decide to stop something when it becomes an issue for your child..

It is very difficult because yes- culturally it is absolutly acceptable to breastfeed for long periods of time. It really does challenge ones beliefs when thinking about things such as this. I just asked DH what he thought about it and he said it sounds more like mums having a hard time letting go of her child...hmmm, interesting...

Just my own personal opinion though