“For instance, I don’t know any attachment parent who feels you “must co-sleep and wear your baby in a sling from morn till night and breast-feed for years and never, ever let your baby cry.””

There are entire cultures in the U.S. who practice this kind of parenting. I didn’t realize it was called attachment parenting until recently, that was just how I was raised. I didn’t raise my oldest son this way, because I was only 16 when I had him and I didn’t have the support to do it. I often feel he is a sweet, loving, and mostly happy boy, but not very confident in himself or those around him; whereas my youngest son, who I’ve tried a modernized version of this parenting with (and probably not full-on because of the Americans who don’t agree with it and ridicule me for it), he is extremely confident and happy and fearless.

 Jessica, many moms breastfeed past the first year.

In the US, it is recommended that babies who are not breastfed receive formula for the first 12 months. Formula is often discontinued at 12 months because it is expensive and babies over 12 months can usually digest cow’s milk safely. It doesn’t become less safe or less nutritious than it was – it’s just that the benefits are no longer cost effective to most families.

Breastmilk, on the other hand, does not cost money and continues to be a superior source of nutrition AND immune support AND comfort (among other things) as long as your child breastfeeds. If mom and baby wish to continue breastfeeding there is no reason to stop. More here: http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/