Happy World Breastfeeding Week!
My first nursling, M:

That picture was taken when we still lived in Manhattan, when M was 4.5 months old. Through his birth and our early breastfeeding experiences, M taught me that I had more strength and tenacity than I ever imagined I would be capable of. He taught me the joys of mothering through nursing, and how sweet the closeness of a mother and her nursing child could be.
J, my second nursling:

She taught me to always remember that every nursing relationship, along with every child, …

Then (when I was, maybe, 22): I remember having a discussion with my sister about whether, when I had kids someday, I would breastfeed them. We both decided that we would “try” it. My big concern was whether it would infringe on my sleep and cause me to get more migraines.
Now: I’ve been breastfeeding for 4.5 years straight. Part of that time, including now, is tandem nursing. I help other women to breastfeed their children. I know now that whether you breastfeed or not, …

 In Jungle World:

I totally cracked up some woman when I shouted out to M, “Look! The baby monkey is getting booby juice!”  I tell you, that momma monkey was so tender to her baby, and I am not romanticizing it. 
And here are J and I later on, also in Jungle World:

J was getting tired since naptime was approaching.  I always get so moved when I find myself nursing along with the animals.  I think I’m so used to being the only one nursing in any given situation that it feels …

I’ve been a member of a local API Group – that’s Attachment Parenting International – for the last few years.  We have fabulous leaders that are committed to supporting parents in their goal to be more attached to their children.  API has always been guided by 8 “Principles” which were inspired by Dr. Williams Sear’s list of the “7 Baby B’s” which included breastfeeding and bedsharing.
Here are the original 8 Principles that API used when I joined a few years ago:

Prepare for childbirth
Breastfeed your baby
Wear your baby
Share sleep with your …

A lot of people I’ve talked to express surprise when they hear that I am still nursing my 4 year old son along with my 22 month old daughter. Maybe surprise isn’t the right word. Some express shock. Just the other day I was on the phone with a virtual stranger talking about a freecycle exchange when it came up. The woman was totally disbelieving when I told her I was nursing a 4-year-old, no less that I was also nursing my toddler at the same …