All children grow up eventually, why rush this child if they are not ready?
Exactly right

Like Marcellus said, i believe dummies/blankies etc other forms of comfort besides boobs, are just substitutes. Nature intended boobs for sucking/comfort, not just for milk.

Delphmoon - I too can't see myself feeding an 8yr old child however I can completely understand this mother doing so. It makes perfect sense to me. If she is willing to give this to her child at the age of 8, I think it's wonderful.....there is absolutely no harm in it whatsoever....the child is still going to develop etc....
Some of the comments you make in here could be compared to as if someone said to you "isn't your child a bit too old for cuddles?" who are they to dictate or even comment on that to you?
And the comment your DH said....in regards to that, you can't FORCE a child to BF. That child is doing it because she wants to.