What Do You Think of TIME‘s Breastfeeding Cover?
 

TIME‘s newest cover image — of a woman breastfeeding her 3-year-old son — is causing quite a stir.

The magazine’s cover story addresses the issue of attachment parenting, saying that the popular method, promoted by Dr. Bill Sears, “drives some mothers to the extremes.”

But before most people have had a chance to read the actual story, they are reacting — strongly — online, on Facebook and on Twitter to the bold image of a young blonde mom nursing her son, who is standing on a chair.

“When you think of breastfeeding, you think of mothers holding their children, which was impossible with some of these older kids,” explains photographer Martin Schoeller.

“I liked the idea of having the kids standing up to underline the point that this was an uncommon situation.”



So what do you think?

GOT MILK ?

Breastfeeding is natural and normal. Our culture has a disturbing view on breastfeeding. The WHO recommends breast feeding until at LEAST 2.

My motto while nursing was if you don't like it don't look. I never really covered. I covered as much as I could with my shirt but I never put a blanket over her. I was always waiting for someone to confront me but it never happened. I did get some strange looks.

Great convo
 

I'd like to read the article first because I, me, don't view a woman breastfeeding her child odd, I think this country has issues with a womans breasts being nothing but fun bags.

Attachment parenting can mean a lot of things. Some basics are breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby wearing, NOT doing cry-it-out, etc. Some people do some things, not others. That's just a very basic explanation.

Here is the Attachment Parenting Website If you want Further Info
 

I nursed my baby. She never spent a night in a crib, always beside me. That's where I wanted her. She never had colic. Was an amazing baby, people would remark on how intelligent she was on a daily basis. I started weaning her at a year. I then became pregnant with my son. She had to go cold turkey at 14 months. "no mo' milk" She never left my bed and 36 weeks later we had another bed mate. I nursed him for a year. We never used bottles or formula. This was right for us. This is what felt natural. I actually had a lot of negative comments from family for nursing so long and allowing them to sleep with me. It was frustrating and cut down on my dinner party list. I still did what I felt was right for us. I'm a little embarrassed to say that they were 6 and 7 before I made then sleep in their own rooms. They'd still sleep with me now if I let them. My back and sex life will not tolerate a puppy pile anymore.

There is no perfect way to parent. We all have ideas and notions of what is best. I use my intuition and logic and hope for the best. And though I breastfed I do not judge those that choose not to. It's all about what is right for YOU and YOUR child.

Personally, I would not nurse a child as old as the one shown on the magazine. I have to wonder if the mother may be the one attached to nursing more than the child.

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.

yeah, I'm not gonna read it either.

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.

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.

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.

I agree 100% with everything you said:)

Color my clueless I guess but mothers have been nursing their children since the beginning of time. It's how baby's get fed. Whoa and get this the wee one gets all of the appropriate nutrients and antibodies necessary for sustaining it's life. And God forbid we should demonstrate effective methods for parental bonding in public. Do we gasp and close our eyes in horror and shame when we see a kitten nursing? Someone want to tell mamma Polar Bear she really should find a more appropriate place to nurse her young? Sound ridiculous? It should...

Funny how SOCIETY sexualizes/objectifies and shames women all in the same sentence.

I am SO over the patriarch and it's ignorant agenda that I just cringe anymore when articles like this are published. It's high time some people just get over themselves and grow up.

**steps off soapbox**

Thank you for the 5 minutes...

Scoobs :)

Kudos to you for this post. I agree with you that the sexualization of feeding your child is inappropriate. And that Time Magazine would stoop so low is sensationalist reporting nonsense. What they call "Extreme Parenting", is being done in MANY cultures all over the world currently. And because it is not a part of Western Culture it is wrong according to the naysayers. What an arrogant, closed minded, and provincial attitude towards parenting and women. Not only is it sexist, but it is classist as well.

I bet a lot of people are buying Time Magazine and talking about Time Magazine about the controversioal cover. There is no bad publicity.

About mothering and breast feeding? Its nobody's damn business. People need to stop being offended over every damn thing.

I couldnt agree more about all you have said.

As Dee pointed out the pic gets your attention. beyond the content of the article I'm sure it was meant to strike a chord and sell issues. Kudos to Time for taking risk even if it is the most natural thing in the world.

I breast fed my son the first 6 months. I may have gone to a year or teeth but it just wasn't an option. I had to resume work after 8 weeks and back then the pumps were not nearly as fancy as they are today. I use some daycare but could depend on my family too. I hated using daycare and I think its sucks that a woman can't have that choice if she wants it. I think its France where the government supplements a mother for up to a year for maternity leave. But our system is so screwed up, we are raped in health care and a tax system that supports corruption rather then support american families.

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...