M.E.
Hi A.,
Good for you for continuing to nurture your son despite our backwards societal pressures. I honestly wouldn't listen to a doctor for advice on breastfeeding or parenting beyond medical advice. Most doctors aren't extensively trained enough to give such advice and, honestly, you are probably already more knowledgeable and experienced in the subject than he/she is. I stopped discussing breastfeeding with my doctor when she advised us to wean at her 1-year check-up. If only she knew dd was sustained breastfed and self-weaned on her own at 7 years. Her bedtime nursing was the last to go. She sounds very much like your son. She needed to nurse to sleep and would often nurse for an hour or more (we co-sleep). I too would just enjoy some good books or just rest my mind. (Stay away from the What to Expect series though, those totally messed with my attachment parenting mind.)
Your son is still very young to sleep through the night without nursing but you can try encouraging him by telling him that mom and dad need to sleep until the sun comes up. I eventually told my daughter this and it usually worked once she was ready for it. She marathon-nursed to sleep (always) and usually would not nurse again until sunrise (then she would marathon nurse again, ha). With compassionate parenting comes a compassionate child. I think there is not a more wonderfully secure way for a child to go to sleep at night than by nursing in the cozy arms of her mother.
And what a wonderful opportunity you have to raise a caring compassionate son who will one day have that same respect and understanding for his wife when she nurses her own child. =)
It sounds like you have a lot of mama sense and listen to your heart and your child's needs. I would encourage you to continue trusting yourself (and your child). It may seem like an eternity right now but it really does pass in the blink of an eye. You won't remember all the tasks you didn't complete but you will remember (and cherish) the nurturing moments with your son.