Why breastfeed for so long?

These are the main reasons why I am still breastfeeding Ying Ying who is turning 2 yrs old next month:

1) Breastmilk is still nutritionally beneficial for children beyond 6mths. Breastmilk contains more than 300 types of nutrients while formula milk only contains 14. (Amazing right?)

2) Breastfeeding promotes close physical bonding between mother and child.

3) Breastfeeding is a source of comfort and security to the child.

4) Direct breastfeeding is convenient and runs no risk of contamination - Perfect for lazy mums like me!

I am writing this because I met a mommy yesterday who saw me breastfeeding Ying Ying and she started telling me how difficult it is to wean children off the breast once they past 1 yr of age. She has 2 kids herself and she took a long time to wean one at 2.5yrs and the other at 18mths. It was quite a traumatic experience for her kids and she was recounting how they would throw tantrums and cry for long periods of time.

I didn't want to be judgemental but I can't help but to think to myself - why must she wean them off in the first place when her kids were obviously not ready to do so? Is there a real need to? In other countries, it is perfectly normal to see mothers breastfeed toddlers. In Singapore, you get silent thoughts and remarks which probably go like, "Wah! So old already still breastfeed ah?"

There are 2 types of weaning: Mother-led (Mother wants/has to stop; Child does not) and Child-led (Mother offers; Child is not interested anymore). Mother-led weaning is more traumatic for the child who may feel rejected. It is also more difficult for the mother because the more you force them to wean, the more insecurity it creates and in return, the child nurses even more! Obviously, the child-led weaning is the natural way to go. Nobody breastfeed forever and the child will wean himself/herself off eventually.

Unfortunately, I come across a lot more mother-led weaning than child-led weaning cases. For working mothers, they usually say that they are tired of pumping or have no time to pump at work. There could be many other reasons why others chose to give up. It is quite hard to dissuade them once their minds are made up. I am in no position to judge but I can't help feeling sorry for their kids for not being able to enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding beyond 6mths.

At least for Ying Ying, I know I did my part. I will continue to breastfeed her unless she doesn't want to anymore.