The bond that a mother feels with her breastfed child is passionate. The act of giving a child nutrition, attention and love all at once produces strong emotions that help a mother bond with her child. Extended breastfeeding continues this strong bond until the child is more apt to express love with words and actions. Slowly, breastfeeding is replaced by conversations, games and other acts of love.
Continuing to breastfeed for as long as the mother and child are happy in their breastfeeding relationship is optimal. Hopefully, as more information surfaces about the advantages of breastfeeding past one year, more and more nursing couples will benefit from extended breastfeeding.