What Do You Think of TIME‘s Breastfeeding Cover?

[girl_dee]

the staged photo annoyed me, the story/breastfeeding does not.

[MissItalianDiva]

I personally believe some theories within the attachment parenting theory are useful but like most other things there are some things I personally disagree with such as co-sleeping but this is just my personal opinion and of course I am sure it works for others.

As for this photo on the cover. I am agitated and disappointed with Time Magazine for their poor choice. This looks as if it was intentionally done to provoke folks and of course benefit them. This is only aggravating America's lack of tolerance for breastfeeding. I will not bother to read this article and contribute to Time Magazines poor taste.

I am pro breastfeeding and don't believe it is appropriate for anyone but the mother to decide when and how a child is weaned.

[grenade]

yeah, I'm not gonna read it either.

[princessbelle]

My first thought when viewing this, was that Time/the media have been doing the same crap for quite a long time: shaming us, mocking us and trying to make breast feeding look or be perceived as bad or perverted.

I have not read this article but i have heard a woman speak on Attachment Parenting ideas and ideology at a woman's conference at Tenova not long ago. I found it quite fascinating and a lot of it was smart parenting, imo. I didn't agree with all of it, but so what, to each his/her own. I seriously doubt that many women would breast feed a child until the age of three. I know some do but truth be known, it's nothing new. That is the only part i have a problem with.

Is this photo another form of exploitation of women? Making breastfeeding look abnormal or strange. Maybe i'm off base here, but at first glance it appears that way to me.

[always2late]

I breastfed my son, in public when necessary...and I totally support every woman's right to feed their child whenever and wherever they have to. After all...that is what breasts are FOR...so this stupidity about it somehow being distasteful or "obscene" for a woman to be engaging in a completely natural act is absolutely ridiculous!! That being said...I am disturbed by the cover photo. It seems it was staged to provoke a reaction and has little to do with the subject of the actual article.

[goodlilfemme]

im whole heartedly for a woman breastfeeding her child in public private hell do it in the line in the grocery store if your child needs it but the cover of a magazine come on people there's better things to put on the cover . breastfeeding is natural and there's nothing wrong with it till someone puts a picture like that one on the cover ofa magazine.

Originally Posted by always2late

I breastfed my son, in public when necessary...and I totally support every woman's right to feed their child whenever and wherever they have to. After all...that is what breasts are FOR...so this stupidity about it somehow being distasteful or "obscene" for a woman to be engaging in a completely natural act is absolutely ridiculous!! That being said...I am disturbed by the cover photo. It seems it was staged to provoke a reaction and has little to do with the subject of the actual article.

[julieisafemme]

I did not read the whole thread yet. I just had to chime in. I breastfed my daughter until she was 3 1/2. I initiated the weaning. She was not pleased. She still remembers it! I did not shroud my child in a shawl. My child did know that it was my body and she did not lift my shirt whenever she wanted. I see that as teaching a child boundaries. We all have our physical space.

I don't like that picture. It does not represent my experience of breastfeeding. As far as the acceptable age for nursing? Pfft! I support any Mother to make that decision for herself. I practiced attachment parenting in the way that felt right to me. Children are individual. I don't fault any woman's decision on how to raise their child.

[Beloved]

I agree the photo was meant to be provoking. There is something about her stance, the look in her eyes, etc. People are talking about the issue which is not a bad thing. The title makes me think the article has something to do with the "mommy wars."

I never nursed in public to get a reaction. I was just doing what needed to be done and at the level I felt was acceptable. It wasn't meant to be a statement or to shock. I do hope that maybe by other mothers saw me maybe it would encourage them to do the same. It's kinda like coming out of the closet, the more people that do it, the easier it is to do yourself.

I have nursed everywhere. Would you rather my child scream bloody murder in a restaurant or nurse quietly? I think most people would choose the latter.

A woman I used to go to a playgroup with was nursing her month old baby in the food court of a mall with a big nursing cover. Someone at the table next her asked her is she could do that someplace else! Unbelievable! He couldn't even see anything. She said no and stayed but said after she left she cried.

It's not up to mom's to make other people comfortable with breastfeeding. It is not perverse, obscene, or sexual. Get over it.

[PumaJ]

Great cover:-) Certainly goes against the image of breasts pushed by our dominant culture:-)

I'm an advocate for natural birth (unless medically contraindicated), breastfeeding on demand, & attachment parenting.

[SugarFemme]

Setting Attachment Parenting aside....there are many women that nurse their children until 3 due to financial issues. Sometimes, that is all those children have. It is such a touchy issue to decide what is an appropriate age for a child to be weaned. I personally see nothing wrong with it. I would not do it. But I would never judge others that do.

[Rockinonahigh]

I'm glad I dont read time mag,Its just dosent seem right to brest feed a three year old.When I had my kids I refused to brest feed them( my choice),as for brest feeding its a persons choice...but if it must be done in public do it as privatly as possable.This is my opinion only not to rain on any one elses idea of the issue.No more to be said form me.

[SweetJane]

I was a La Leche League leader. I breastfed both of my children. Both until they were about 2 1/2. By that time it wasn't for food or antibodies as much as it was at bedtime to calm them from a busy day or when they were ill. I also practiced attachment parenting, but we never called it that---it was simply good mothering, being attentive to your child, realizing their was a reason why they cried, and putting their needs first as you slowly helped them to become very independent human beings---and both of mine were.

I did support other mothers who nursed their children far longer than that. It was their particular choice and usually varied from child to child.

I nursed my children in public, usually under a pretty shawl.

But I never could understand why some people thought even knowing what your child was doing under that shawl was somehow offensive. Especially, since some of these same people wore clothing that showed more than I ever did.

I never wanted to feed my babies in a public restroom. How would you like to have spaghetti in a bathroom?

I do think the Time cover was provocative and meant to create controversy. That's a sad shame really because it puts a lot of mothers in a bad light because they choose to nurse a child beyond a year and it casts a cloud over the content of the article about attentive mothering.

[Abigail Crabby]

I see nothing wrong with breastfeeding in public, attachment parenting and more.

We are more than sexual beings, we are Mothers who (ok some don't always) love their children and do what is best for them.

Screw Time for trying to exploit something natural and beautiful if that's what they are doing I've not read the story and guess I will have to go buy the issue to find out...

[4verNlove]

I breastfed my son solely for five months, no water, no formula...just breast milk...so, as one can imagine...I fed him in all kinds of places....a ladies room in a department store, my truck....but I have to say..I neve encountered anyone discriminating...hmmm. now this was 30 years ago...lol...perhaps, it was a time when breastfeeding was becoming popular again...don't know, but I found strangers to be supportive..I did try to be discreet...(cover us with a light blanket....It was a wonderful experience...extremely tiring, but wonderful...he fed every 3 hours all that time...(he's graduating Med. school next week) <smile>...and regarding the photo in the magazine?....what bothered me the most was the rise they tried to get out of publishing it....and they did...pros and cons....Me? It's all individual...If that's what one wants and needs...it doesn't affect me...I did what I could...and am grateful....Love you Bobby!!!! Congrats...!!!!