What Do You Think of TIME‘s Breastfeeding Cover?

[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.

[SugarFemme]

I agree 100% with everything you said

Originally Posted by 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.

[Scuba]

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

[SugarFemme]

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.

Originally Posted by Scuba

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

[Breathless]

I breast fed both my children, because I was lucky enough to physically be able to. I covered up, a little, as I was uncomfortable being stared at, but I was not about to allow my child to sweat like crazy while trying to nurse. I absolutely support and encourage breast feeding for the nutritional value, and bonding opportunity that it provides. I totally disagree when it is done for shock value and attention.

[Beloved]

[girl_dee]

one thing about the photo, it got our attention