I sent a message, then took the time to read other questions and answers. I came to the conclusion that maybe it would be best for me to talk to another person about this, as the advice i have read from other people's quesions doesn't sit well with me, and is against what i believe is best for children. My values as a mother is that babies be breastfed for the first 2 years, and put to sleep on the breast. This makes for happier, more settled children and carries on with them for life. I also feel that children should be able to share a bed with their mum until they are ready to move to their own bed, and adults who don't allow it are not allowing it for selfish reasons, then justifying it by saying "Children need to learn to put themselves to sleep and in their own bed, that's what is best for them" which isn't true. SIDS is reduced by babies sleeping with parents, also they go more easily to their own bed, and people to have allowed their baby to share their bed find they are more settled for longer periods. I do apologise if i've wasted anyone's time, the other answers do go against my own values so it would be best to talk to someone else, perhaps the Australian Breastfeeding Assoc. who have similar values to myself.
mother to Hannah born August 9 2003