Ardeith Carter writes:
I've know women who breast-fed their children for four or five years.  And
this is common in other parts of the world.  There is a belief that breast-
feeding prevents ovulation, thus preventing pregnancy.

My reply:
This is true IF one is breast feeding intensively.  Women who pump or breast
feed sporadically or infrequently are apt to begin ovulating because they
are generally not feeding as intensively as would a woman who is carrying a
baby on or next to her contantly and sleeping with the baby or child. There
is documentation for the delaying of ovluation and there are methods for
charting a woman's morning temperature and testing cervical mucus daily to
monitor changes that would indicate that the woman is ovulating again.  This
is not hit or miss; rather it carries with it certain steps one must follow
and signs to watch for that would indicate a return of fertility.

Natural Family Planning books explain and document fertility awareness
methods and practices that can delay ovulation (for a long time) among women
breast feeding intensively.  Yes, the practice does help provide a healthier
spacing between pregnancies.

Aredith writes:
Breast-fixated lovers can start the glands
producing again, too.   I don't know if that's true
for women who have never nursed.

Reply:
There exist lactation specialists who can, in some cases, help women who are
not pregant, and adopt babies, to begin lactating.  I can't tell you the
procedure, but I know of people who have successfully done this who were not
pregnant!  It is not a casual thing and does take some work.

Rachel