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Snappy Answers to the "You're Still Nursing?" Question
A year ago my brother, who considers himself an open-minded forward-thinking person, was shocked to see me nursing my two year old before bed. "Isn't she too old to be nursing?" he asked, looking both perplexed and concerned. I smiled and said, "No," unable to think of any other response off the top of my head. Now that I am nursing a three year old, the question, "You're still nursing? When are you going to stop?" is one I get even more frequently. Here are five good answers, gleaned from the experts and from experienced mothers of nursing three, four, and five year olds:
1) Yes! But I should be done in a few minutes.
2) Yes! I'm hoping Baby Charlie will go to a nearby college so he can come home to nurse if he needs to.
3) Yes! Experts say that children who are extended nursers have higher IQs, fewer allergies, and stronger constitutions than babies who are weaned early. I'd be glad to show you some of the most recent scientific studies. They are really fascinating!
4) Yes! Did you know the average age of weaning for hominids, which corresponds to the average age of weaning for children in many cultures, is between two and one half and seven years? I'd be glad to show you some of the most recent scientific studies. They are really fascinating!
5) Yes! (fill in the blank here with the interlocutor's favorite celebrity, author, or sports figure) nursed until he was five years old. That must explain why he is such a phenomenal actor/writer/athlete.
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