Time magazine's breastfeeding cover raises eyebrows

Posted: May 11, 2012

Time magazine's cover this week is creating all kinds of buzz. It shows a mom nursing her three-year-old son, who is standing on a chair.

The story is about attachment parenting, a practice that supports extended breastfeeding, babywearing and co-sleeping. And the cover, in particular, has definitely gotten a lot of people's attention. In online comments and elsewhere, I've seen people call the practice of nursing a three-year-old everything from disgusting to immoral.

I've breastfed both my daughters - and, considering that most people quit well before a baby's first birthday - for longer than most. I'm a huge supporter. That's why I put together a breastfeeding resources page for Go Ask Mom. I know nursing isn't easy for everybody and new moms need all the support they can get.

There are so many health benefits for mother and child. In fact, last year, when Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin issued a "call to action to support breastfeeding," she noted a study published in the journal Pediatrics that found the nation would save $13 billion per year in health care and other costs if 90 percent of U.S. babies were exclusively breastfed for six months.

With all that said, I also fully support an individual mother's decision to decide whether breastfeeding is right or even possible for her family. The way I see it: Moms have plenty on their plate and need support, regardless of their decisions on the matter.

But as the debate rages over the cover and whether nursing a three-year-old is disgusting or immoral, I figured I'd share what the experts say on the matter. Nursing to at least the first year, while certainly not the norm, is actually supported by both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization.

Here's what recommend:

American Academy of Pediatrics: Breastfeeding should be the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months. When you add solid foods to your baby’s diet, continue breastfeeding until at least 12 months.

World Health Organization: Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.

What's your take?

19 Comments

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Just reading the title of the Time article is enough to put you off - if you don't agree with their position, does that mean you're not "Mom enough?" As someone who struggled mightily to breastfeed and failed despite supplements, pumping, lactation consultants, and more tears than I could count, am I not Mom enough because I didn't breastfeed until they were past six months?

Why can't moms stop judging one another and just support each others' choices (or, in my case, lack of choice)?

Born in NC
May 11, 2012 1:27 p.m.

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I agree with Born in NC to some extent. I wasn't able to prodice enough for my twins so we used formula. But nursing when a child can ask for it and tell you what they want. That is absurd!!!

BaseBallMommy
May 11, 2012 1:49 p.m.

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The cover was no more pertinent to nursing than Playboy is to Reubens. It's an excuse to display an attractive woman half-naked.

Ironically, this cover shows a woman who cares very little for her child. She's using her son to feed (no pun intented) her ego, and the poor kid has no choice. Wait till her ego-stroke gets passed around his high-school class. What a piece of...work.

storchheim
May 11, 2012 1:55 p.m.

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...(wish there were an edit button)...When I say her "ego-stroke gets passed around" I mean this photo. Again, poor kid.

storchheim
May 11, 2012 1:57 p.m.

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I'm all for breastfeeding, if you can. With my first child, I wasn't able to produce much at all. While she was on formula, I continued attempting to nurse and pump for over a month and I finally gave up. I had hoped to have better results with our second child... but was disappointed and discouraged all over again. I think people need to stop worrying about what everybody else is doing and worry about themselves. If Sally Sue wants to breastfeed her child until h/she is 5, then that is Sally Sue's decision. She will likely make her decision based on their family lifestyle and comfort level. If Amy Lou never breastfeeds her children a day in their lives, then that's Amy Lou's decision. Again, it's about what works for her/her family.

As for the article, I'm certain is achieved it's goal - get people talking about attachment parenting. I can think of 20 other things to put on the cover of a magazine that would incite similar reactions from readers and the general public.

justbcauz
May 11, 2012 2:54 p.m.

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I think the photo is a bit disgusting and hope they cover it with wrap on the newstand. Breastfeeding is fine but it's not for everyone and it's not the be-all-to-end-all, and when a kid is old enough to walk, it's about time to stop the breastfeeding. Comparing it to France is great - I guess next issue will be about going straight from breastfeeding to drinking wine.

JAT
May 11, 2012 4:13 p.m.

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Comparing it to France is great - I guess next issue will be about going straight from breastfeeding to drinking wine. JAT

Thats what I did with my children!

welfarequeen
May 11, 2012 6:00 p.m.

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I never know why people in NC hate up on France. They eat better, live better, live happier, have more culture, more fashion, more history and more art than we can even imagine and they helped us in the Revolutionary war. Why all the France Bashing? Where do people the world over dream of going, Paris or Durham?

welfarequeen
May 11, 2012 6:02 p.m.

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Totally disgusting, and gives moms the chance to show what they think is so great, to everybody - legally! An article recently said breast milk is not all it's cut out to be - was tested and has all kinds of toxins that come from what the mom ingested. All the articles about breast fed children being healthier, smarter (you name it) is way off base. To be honest, I've seen more the other way round. Our three were formula fed, and are now grown, very few childhood illnesses, and all honor students with great jobs now. I have no problems with any mom that wants to breastfeed, but for goodness sake if she wants to nurse an older child, do it in private please.

jma47
May 11, 2012 7:52 p.m.

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Disgusting!