In Mongolia, breastfeeding isn’t
equated with dependence, and
weaning isn’t
a finish line.

less that the message is clear. But in Mongolia, breastfeeding isn’t equated with dependence, and weaning isn’t a ;nish line. ;ey know their kids will grow up—in fact, the average Mongolian ;ve-year-old is far more independent than her western counterpart, breastfed or not. ;ere’s no rush to wean.

Probably the most valuable thing about raising my son in Mongolia was that I realized that there are a million di;erent ways to do things, and that I could choose any of them. ;roughout my son’s breastfeeding career, I struggled with di;erent issues, and picked up and discarded many ideas and practices, in my search to forge my own style. I’m glad I breastfed Calum as much and as long as I did—it turned out to be four years. I think breastfeeding was the best thing for my son, and that it will have a lasting impact on his personality and on our relationship. And when he wins that Olympic gold medal in wrestling, I’ll expect him to thank me.

NOTE

;. UNICEF Childinfo, “Monitoring the Situation of Children and Women: Infant and Young Child Feeding (;;;;–;;;;)” (January ;;;;): www.childinfo. org/ breastfeeding_countrydata.php.

For another international view of breastfeeding, visit www.mothering. com/links and see the past article “;e Milk of Life,” by Um Yaqoob.

Ruth Kamnitzer lived in a traditional felt tent in the Mongolian countryside for three years while her husband, Steve, conducted a wildlife study on the Pallas cat of central Asia. She has an MSc in Biodiversity Conservation and currently lives in Bristol, UK, with Steve and Calum (;).