luckylady...it sounds as if you have followed your heart so far, why are you worried about nursing her longer now? Nothing magical happens between 2 and 3 or 3 and 4 to make it more difficult to wean. To me, it is like all of the child's needs, the more you meet them, the more independent they grow, not more dependent.
It sounds like your dd is very attached to you and her nursing. That's a wonderful thing. To answer your question re: "gentle weaning" vs. child led weaning is that one is initiated by you and the other is determined by the needs of the child. LLL has a saying re: weaning, "don't offer, don't refuse."
Your relationship with your dd ill change as she grows and her nursing "pattern" may change also. You may find it is a good way to remain connected as she continues to grow. There is nothing magical about nursing a 4 or 5 y/o, it is just listening to your heart and to your child.
It sounds like your dd is very attached to you and her nursing. That's a wonderful thing. To answer your question re: "gentle weaning" vs. child led weaning is that one is initiated by you and the other is determined by the needs of the child. LLL has a saying re: weaning, "don't offer, don't refuse."
Your relationship with your dd ill change as she grows and her nursing "pattern" may change also. You may find it is a good way to remain connected as she continues to grow. There is nothing magical about nursing a 4 or 5 y/o, it is just listening to your heart and to your child.
