I began feeding my children with a spoon when they were about 1 mos old. A little milk in a bottle, then some porridge or banana, then milk so they got used to a spoon in their mouth from very young.

I continued feeding them this way, more food, less milk. All of them were weaned before one year...the little one threw the bottle out of the window when she was 9 mos and wanted to drink from a cup.

There was no trauma with the weaning thing because they had been accustomed to food on spoon and milk as drink.

I think when one relies too much on the bottle or breast it gets harder. The earlier
food is introduced the better.

Both you and your sister drew the line as to when you would cut your child off from nursing. She just did it earlier. You're still imposing a time restriction yourself.

It is proven that human milk changes to meet a child's growing needs. There is no cut off when it stops being an excellent and very important source of nutrition. Research has been done anthropologically and it has been determined that the biological MINIMUM for proper nutrition is at least 2.5 years, and can be as old as 6 years, depending on the child's genetics.

Concerning your comfort issue, why is that not as important a thing as nutrition? When did we start placing weights on a child's needs? Not only does human milk provide nutrition, but it also provides immunities, and it has been determined that a child's immune system is not self-functioning until at least three, and more commonly 6 or 7.

So don't complain about your sister. You're doing the same, only later. You're not nursing until your child finishes himself, which will be when he no longer needs the breast.

I never was breast fed, nor were my children. All three of my kids are extremely health. The little one missed one day of school in her life because of a cold.

The idea that formula is not as healthy is bunk.