Even my liberal AP self does not feel great about this week's Time mag cover

[Tap]

I think it would have been a better ad for Nabisco. They should have given the kid a package of Oreos to hold for a prop! ......lol

 

I do think it is provocative in the sense that it was intended to provoke. I do not see it as sexual or that odd. I have been around extended nursers for a long time and have seen kids nurse in many ways....this is definitely not one of the oddest.

[Scarlett]

I think it would have been a better ad for Nabisco. They should have given the kid a package of Oreos to hold for a prop! ......lol

 

I do think it is provocative in the sense that it was intended to provoke. I do not see it as sexual or that odd. I have been around extended nursers for a long time and have seen kids nurse in many ways....this is definitely not one of the oddest.

 

Exactly. And their aim was to make it seem as weird as possible. Most people who extend bf don't do much of it in public...not because they are 'ashamed' but because toddlers tend to nurse only morning/night and during trauma of some sort. I am constantly shocked and amazed that people are so ignorant about bf'ing....they have in their mind that nursing a 3 year old is the same as nursing a 3 week old. Just totally laziness to not GET THE FACTS and stop making it out to be a freak show.

 

Btw, I don't see the cover pic as sexual...just weird. Intended to provoke.

[Kathryn]

I came out of my self-imposed WTM board hiatus just to discuss this. I knew you guys would be able to have an intelligent discussion about this.

 

While I only nursed my dc until they were 12 months, I have no problem with people who nurse for however long they choose. Their body, their kid, their decision. Women nursing in public do not bother me one bit.

 

However, this picture has totally offended me (well, the picture in combination with the headline). Seriously? Am I mom enough? And the mom in the picture is striking a somewhat militant, defiant, and proud pose. Is she judging me because I don't make the same choices as she does? Is she saying I'm not mom enough?

 

Do we really need more fuel for the Mommy Wars? Because that seems to be the purpose of this pic and headline. Look, I get defending your choices. I constantly have to defend my choice to homeschool, but I would never pose on the cover of a magazine with my copy of WTM and ask other moms if they are mom enough. I don't judge moms who send their kids to public schools. I don't judge moms who decide not to nurse. I chose nursing and homeschooling because I d@mn well felt like it, not to prove my mothering prowess.

 

This isn't a good day for nursing. The pic just feeds the "It's creepy" argument. I worked very hard to get my extended family to accept that nursing is a normal and beautiful thing. Now I'm hearing things like "She should be arrested for child s@xual abuse" (referring to the mom in the pic). It doesn't look like she's nursing, and I have seen plenty of women nurse toddlers. It looks like she just stuck her booK in her kid's mouth and dared anyone to say anything. I really wish Time would have used one of the other pictures from the link posted earlier (which were so very sweet). Then it wouldn't feel so much like the cover mom was asking me if I was mom enough.

 

I'm just a bit riled-up about this. Moms get so much crap from so many different sides. We are our harshest critics. I just really hate it when men feed that fire. We should be supporting and encouraging one another, not tearing each other down.

 

ITA.

[Kirch]

Huh. It didn't really faze me at all. I'm kind of surprised at the backlash here. I definitely didn't see it as pornographic (:confused:) or disgusting. I did see it as slightly provocative, but IMO, nursing moms still deal with a lot of BS, and yeah, a lot of them probably feel kind of defensive about it. Small wonder, given some of the comments on this thread alone. Let's not even talk about the idiocy that happens in the comments section under any mainstream press online news article about nursing :svengo:

 

And is there really only one kind of nursing relationship we're allowed to have--the touchy-feely, uber-bonded kind? If nursing occurs in a "means to an end" sort of way, that's not acceptable? Am I the only one whose nursing toddlers/preschooler often nursed in a "heymomneedadrinkOKseeyalater" manner? If I am, it's probably because of all the reading I did while nursing instead of staring dreamily into my kids' eyes :lol:

 

I don't know. It's just not that big a deal to me. I don't think the cover picture is representative of all EBFing moms.

 

It doesn't represent all EBFing moms, and since you have personal experience and know how it really is, you can see that. But for someone who doesn't have that experience, who maybe has never heard of EBFing and hasn't had much experience with or exposure to nursing, period? This picture, with its defiant look, child who looks much older than 3, and unnatural pose (surely if it was ok with most EBFing moms for kiddo to have a drink at that moment, she'd at least sit down for him to be able to reach??) is designed to make *those* people see EBFing as this weird, unnatural, fringe thing. I think the point of using such a defiant pose/look was to imply that it's something to be defensive about.

[Joanne]

"Recent controversy" over AP?

 

This reminds me of the youtube a few years ago about much older nurslings. It depicted a very intentional, odd, icky family dynamic. I nursed my kids a *long* time and I felt that the family representing "extended" (hate that term) nursing did more damage than good.

[Catwoman]

"Recent controversy" over AP?

 

This reminds me of the youtube a few years ago about much older nurslings. It depicted a very intentional, odd, icky family dynamic. I nursed my kids a *long* time and I felt that the family representing "extended" (hate that term) nursing did more damage than good.

 

I often feel the same way when I see portrayals of homeschoolers. It seems like reporters often go out of their way to find the oddest possible family, and then act like they're the "typical homeschool family." :ack2:

 

 

BTW -- Is your new avatar a picture of a new tattoo? The image is pretty tiny, so its hard for me to tell for sure, but it looks like it might be on your lower back. (It's very pretty, but I sort of miss seeing your face, though!)

[PeacefulChaos]

I am used to seeing extended b'feeding....it is pretty common in my circles....BUT never have I seen a toddler pull up a stool to nurse!! My own kids have at times tried to walk off...OUCH!....but quickly learned that is how you end that b'feeding time. Anyway, I found the picture extremely disturbing....nit because a toddler was breastfeeding, but because of the " are you Mom enough?" stance. And the pull up a stool and whoop mom's shirt down.....

 

And for the record, I do wear heals, have tattoos and usually try to look somewhat trendy.

 

This Time cover made me gag....because it is just OFF.

 

 

Eta: My real issue is the photo....not the breastfeeding. I think this could have been a really beautiful photo, had it been done right. The photographer stinks...and the editor should be ashamed of himself ( herself? ) for letting this shot go to press. I think they purposefully picked a photo where it would cause a ruckus....instead of focusing on extended breastfeeding and the benefits to child and Mamma...we can focus on a poorly done photoshoot, and a half @ssed headline...Are You Mom Enough? GAG!!!!!

:iagree:

I came out of my self-imposed WTM board hiatus just to discuss this. I knew you guys would be able to have an intelligent discussion about this.

 

While I only nursed my dc until they were 12 months, I have no problem with people who nurse for however long they choose. Their body, their kid, their decision. Women nursing in public do not bother me one bit.

 

However, this picture has totally offended me (well, the picture in combination with the headline). Seriously? Am I mom enough? And the mom in the picture is striking a somewhat militant, defiant, and proud pose. Is she judging me because I don't make the same choices as she does? Is she saying I'm not mom enough?

 

Do we really need more fuel for the Mommy Wars? Because that seems to be the purpose of this pic and headline. Look, I get defending your choices. I constantly have to defend my choice to homeschool, but I would never pose on the cover of a magazine with my copy of WTM and ask other moms if they are mom enough. I don't judge moms who send their kids to public schools. I don't judge moms who decide not to nurse. I chose nursing and homeschooling because I d@mn well felt like it, not to prove my mothering prowess.

 

This isn't a good day for nursing. The pic just feeds the "It's creepy" argument. I worked very hard to get my extended family to accept that nursing is a normal and beautiful thing. Now I'm hearing things like "She should be arrested for child s@xual abuse" (referring to the mom in the pic). It doesn't look like she's nursing, and I have seen plenty of women nurse toddlers. It looks like she just stuck her booK in her kid's mouth and dared anyone to say anything. I really wish Time would have used one of the other pictures from the link posted earlier (which were so very sweet). Then it wouldn't feel so much like the cover mom was asking me if I was mom enough.

 

I'm just a bit riled-up about this. Moms get so much crap from so many different sides. We are our harshest critics. I just really hate it when men feed that fire. We should be supporting and encouraging one another, not tearing each other down.

 

I TOTALLY agree! :)

 

Our local news station posted about it on fb. It's gotten TONS of really uninformed, silly comments - like that children that age should be sitting down at a table and eating and learning manners, or that they should be taking a sippy cup by that age, or whatever. :rolleyes: I mean, really? REALLY?! Their automatic assumption is that this kid eats NOTHING else?! It's just kind of crazy... here I am, NOT an AP parent, didn't breastfeed, etc, but for pity's sake! I'm feeling smart about the issue because these people are so (honestly) ignorant about it! I'd say I'm one of, oh, maybe 15 out of 150 comments that is positive or at the very least neutral about it (supporting the choice, personally, but not the photo so much).

I mean, for the love of pete...

[KristinaBreece]

My DS was that big at 3. He had latch issues, so I pumped for him-- but I did nurse DD until she was almost 3.

 

I hate the push to make this a "controversy." I don't give a fig if you want to nurse your DC until they're 12. Really. Not my life, not my kid, not my issue. I know people who think I stopped nursing DD too soon, and people who think I nursed her too long. Isn't there enough pressure in a mother's life without attacking each other over every difference in parenting style? Seriously?!

 

(Hm. You could delete nursing and insert homeschooling.... I guess I'm just a live and let live kind of parent....)

[Farrar]

I came out of my self-imposed WTM board hiatus just to discuss this. I knew you guys would be able to have an intelligent discussion about this.

 

While I only nursed my dc until they were 12 months, I have no problem with people who nurse for however long they choose. Their body, their kid, their decision. Women nursing in public do not bother me one bit.

 

However, this picture has totally offended me (well, the picture in combination with the headline). Seriously? Am I mom enough? And the mom in the picture is striking a somewhat militant, defiant, and proud pose. Is she judging me because I don't make the same choices as she does? Is she saying I'm not mom enough?

 

Do we really need more fuel for the Mommy Wars? Because that seems to be the purpose of this pic and headline. Look, I get defending your choices. I constantly have to defend my choice to homeschool, but I would never pose on the cover of a magazine with my copy of WTM and ask other moms if they are mom enough. I don't judge moms who send their kids to public schools. I don't judge moms who decide not to nurse. I chose nursing and homeschooling because I d@mn well felt like it, not to prove my mothering prowess.

 

This isn't a good day for nursing. The pic just feeds the "It's creepy" argument. I worked very hard to get my extended family to accept that nursing is a normal and beautiful thing. Now I'm hearing things like "She should be arrested for child s@xual abuse" (referring to the mom in the pic). It doesn't look like she's nursing, and I have seen plenty of women nurse toddlers. It looks like she just stuck her booK in her kid's mouth and dared anyone to say anything. I really wish Time would have used one of the other pictures from the link posted earlier (which were so very sweet). Then it wouldn't feel so much like the cover mom was asking me if I was mom enough.

 

I'm just a bit riled-up about this. Moms get so much crap from so many different sides. We are our harshest critics. I just really hate it when men feed that fire. We should be supporting and encouraging one another, not tearing each other down.

 

:iagree: Well said. I guess that's what upsets me about it. It's provocative not in that it's s*xual or creepy exactly, but in that it's clearly meant to feed the mommy wars. Thanks, Time. Not.

[LauraGB]

I came out of my self-imposed WTM board hiatus just to discuss this. I knew you guys would be able to have an intelligent discussion about this.

 

While I only nursed my dc until they were 12 months, I have no problem with people who nurse for however long they choose. Their body, their kid, their decision. Women nursing in public do not bother me one bit.

 

However, this picture has totally offended me (well, the picture in combination with the headline). Seriously? Am I mom enough? And the mom in the picture is striking a somewhat militant, defiant, and proud pose. Is she judging me because I don't make the same choices as she does? Is she saying I'm not mom enough?

 

Do we really need more fuel for the Mommy Wars? Because that seems to be the purpose of this pic and headline. Look, I get defending your choices. I constantly have to defend my choice to homeschool, but I would never pose on the cover of a magazine with my copy of WTM and ask other moms if they are mom enough. I don't judge moms who send their kids to public schools. I don't judge moms who decide not to nurse. I chose nursing and homeschooling because I d@mn well felt like it, not to prove my mothering prowess.

 

This isn't a good day for nursing. The pic just feeds the "It's creepy" argument. I worked very hard to get my extended family to accept that nursing is a normal and beautiful thing. Now I'm hearing things like "She should be arrested for child s@xual abuse" (referring to the mom in the pic). It doesn't look like she's nursing, and I have seen plenty of women nurse toddlers. It looks like she just stuck her booK in her kid's mouth and dared anyone to say anything. I really wish Time would have used one of the other pictures from the link posted earlier (which were so very sweet). Then it wouldn't feel so much like the cover mom was asking me if I was mom enough.

 

I'm just a bit riled-up about this. Moms get so much crap from so many different sides. We are our harshest critics. I just really hate it when men feed that fire. We should be supporting and encouraging one another, not tearing each other down.

 

:iagree:

 

I also agree with the poster who suggested it was a good day for the ped##hiles.

 

I know a few moms who practiced EBF. Their bodies did not look like that mom - these women were worn. They also did not look as...smirky...as that mom did. I feel like this mom did this to prove something, but something on her own behalf rather than the behalf of EBF moms or children. What that something is is beyond me because I guess I feel nursing is an intimate thing for the health of the child. I'm okay with nursing an infant discreetly in public because the littles need to eat often, but to blatantly and publicly nurse a 3 year old in such a manner as to end up with that photo on the cover of a very public and popular magazine has little to do with the child and everything to do with Mom.

 

Not okay with it at all.

[butterflymommy]

What does hair, clothing styles and make up have to do with it? Some moms hang around in PJs and yoga pants all day. Others do hair and make up and dress less casual. Every one of them is a real wife/mother. None of that has to do with nursing - extended or not.

 

It has to do with the sexual overtones of the image-- the mom is very beautiful and sexy. If they'd chosen an unattractive mom I doubt people would be crying "sexualized!!"

[kitten18]

Well, people who wear skintight clothing breastfeed. So do people who wear heels and women who wear make-up and dye their hair and women with tattoos and women who smoke and women with denim skirts cut below the knee. I don't see her clothing as being an issue.

I totally agree.

 

 

 

And though I absolutely believe it is all for attention-grabbing, I rather think it is a positive that they have a young, attractive mom out there as an AP parenting advocate, since many 20-somethings have babies as "accessories" for someone else to care for the bulk of the time. I'm sure people have an image of the type person that might extended bf, and that image is probably not someone who looks like this young lady.

I agree. I think the image for most people is a crunchy granola, no-makeup, long skirt wearing, hippie. I was happy to see her dressed like a typical (where I live) mom (though most of the moms I know don't look quite so much like fashion models).

 

 

And is there really only one kind of nursing relationship we're allowed to have--the touchy-feely, uber-bonded kind? If nursing occurs in a "means to an end" sort of way, that's not acceptable? Am I the only one whose nursing toddlers/preschooler often nursed in a "heymomneedadrinkOKseeyalater" manner? If I am, it's probably because of all the reading I did while nursing instead of staring dreamily into my kids' eyes :lol:

 

 

:lol: Some of the comments in this thread about how they should be snuggling on a couch *gazing into each others eyes* make me laugh. My experience with nursing a toddler was, yum, yum, yum "thanks for the snack, see ya' later lady".:D

[La Texican]

:iagree: Good day:

 

What about all the Johnson and Johnson baby bath commercials with attractive mothers bathing their babies? This just different because Time magazine is a look back at what people have been talking about instead of a salesman trying to sell us something like the images we're used to seeing constantly.

 

I wouldn't say it was that weird of a pose. I only nursed ds until 23 months and I have a 1.5 year old still NAK. But let me tell you if something interesting happens they sure do turn around to look while nursing, don't let mamma stop you.

 

But the worst, THE WORST, is my dad telling me that nursing past six months is for the mothers comfort and feeling connected (I guess he read it in an article) or my husbands opinions during my labor. Really guys?! You have opinions on this?!:lol:

 

I do agree the kids may be teased by the cousins when they're older (the only ones still holding onto copies of this issue of Time) but you know who else? Gabby the Boogie Girl from the bottle of boogie wipes. She's so cute with her little green fingernails and I'm sure she's proud now, lol, but she'll always be gabby the boogie girl.

 

jmo

Edited May 11, 2012 by La Texican

[nmoira]

 

I know a few moms who practiced EBF. Their bodies did not look like that mom - these women were worn.

I'd probably fit that description due to sleep deprivation. However, I'm smack dab in the middle of EBF central, and I've met plenty of quantitatively sexy EBFers. They may not shave, but they're still sexy. Most days I manage to be just a bit jealous.

[Dustybug]

I don't like it. Not because I feel like it's obscene, it makes me feel like it's making fun of women who choose to do that (yet the title almost makes fun of those who don't). It's just so awkward feeling.

 

Short mother, tall toddler (on a chair no less!), and nursing standing up? They went all out to make that cover shot as awkward and unnatural as possible.

 

 

:iagree:with both of these. Plus, it doesn't appeal to me from a modest perspective, but I know that is subjective.

 

 

That tops what one woman told me about her brother (in California...so now I'm convinced Californians are a little out there...hehe). He would let diapers that were only peed on dry out and then reuse them to blow his nose.

 

BARF I really thought she was kidding, but no she said she was not kidding.

 

:ack2: That is so beyond disgusting.

 

I know this isn't the sense you mean, but after seven straight years of nursing mine more flop than pop.

 

I know. He looks kinda like the size and age of my 6 almost 7 year old. He's eating steak and stuff. My boobs hurt thinking about it. :tongue_smilie:

 

My youngest was like a gymnast... friends would gasp and wince on my behalf even though I was long past noticing. Mammograms are a breeze though, so I guess everything has an upside. :D

 

 

:lol::lol::lol:I almost choked on a couple of these.

 

I am not overly impressed by the way they did the pic, but I wasn't disgusted by it. Certainly the pose could've been better. And yes, the child DOES look much older than 3, not that his age should be an issue.

 

And though I absolutely believe it is all for attention-grabbing, I rather think it is a positive that they have a young, attractive mom out there as an AP parenting advocate, since many 20-somethings have babies as "accessories" for someone else to care for the bulk of the time. I'm sure people have an image of the type person that might extended bf, and that image is probably not someone who looks like this young lady.

 

Um. I'm only 29 with three children, all of which I EBF and many of the other moms I know are in their 20s and none of us had babies to use as accessories. I've never even known someone that did. Am I sheltered or something?

 

:iagree:

 

I also agree with the poster who suggested it was a good day for the ped##hiles.

 

I know a few moms who practiced EBF. Their bodies did not look like that mom - these women were worn. They also did not look as...smirky...as that mom did. I feel like this mom did this to prove something, but something on her own behalf rather than the behalf of EBF moms or children. What that something is is beyond me because I guess I feel nursing is an intimate thing for the health of the child. I'm okay with nursing an infant discreetly in public because the littles need to eat often, but to blatantly and publicly nurse a 3 year old in such a manner as to end up with that photo on the cover of a very public and popular magazine has little to do with the child and everything to do with Mom.

 

Not okay with it at all.

 

Worn? I would suggest that had nothing to do with breastfeeding. I know several mothers who EBF and this is not a word I would even think about to use to describe them.

[kalanamak]

It's provocative in a way toddler (I think of 3 yr olds as toddlers...even if they aren't toddling...) nursing isn't.

 

Really. I thought TIME was a rag when I was 14 years old, and aside from a glance every 10 years in a dentist office, I wouldn't touch it, so the cover doesn't surprise me at all.

[Ibbygirl]

I hate the push to make this a "controversy." I don't give a fig if you want to nurse your DC until they're 12..... Isn't there enough pressure in a mother's life without attacking each other over every difference in parenting style? Seriously?!

 

 

It's provocative not in that it's s*xual or creepy exactly, but in that it's clearly meant to feed the mommy wars. Thanks, Time. Not.

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

[Catwoman]

It has to do with the sexual overtones of the image-- the mom is very beautiful and sexy. If they'd chosen an unattractive mom I doubt people would be crying "sexualized!!"

 

I wasn't thinking it was sexualized at all; I was thinking it was tacky and the mom looked very smug and unappealing. I also felt sorry for the poor kid, because who wants to grow up as "the kid who BF on the cover of Time Magazine?" What an embarrassment.

[Lab1]

I EBF and think its quite strange and meant to shock. Most mothers I know establish boundries with their kids. We teach manners at the breast. I'm not saying this kid isn't a well mannered child! He could be delightful! I'm talking in general terms and most mothers I know have boundries of what is acceptable behavior in most situations. A 3 yr old typically knows the norms for their society. Not that they always follow them :lol: I remember my cranky toddler saying she was "thirsty" during a long checkout line experience. She would ask, but knew better then to try in public. She was very tall and looked like she was 5 as well. She was just too big for comfort to BF in public after she was about 20 months.

[Sara in AZ]

Man, I've been wondering lately if I'm "Mom" enough to wean my 3 1/2 year old! Aside from looking militant and provocative that pose looks so darn uncomfortable!

[mom2denj]

Well, I did nurse mine until age 3, but I think the cover is just not natural at all!

 

I wonder what that boy is going to think of that cover when he grows up?? :001_huh:

[PeacefulChaos]

Another great response article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-belkin/no-i-am-not-mom-enough_b_1507550.html?ref=fb&src=sp&mimi=1&comm_ref=false#sb=2291676,b=facebook

[PeacefulChaos]

weird double post... :001_huh:

[Dustybug]

Just wanted to add that the tags are HI-LAR-IOUS

[StaceyinLA]

>>Um. I'm only 29 with three children, all of which I EBF and many of the other moms I know are in their 20s and none of us had babies to use as accessories. I've never even known someone that did. Am I sheltered or something?<<

 

I was 28 with 4 and very much an AP parent. My dd is 20 with her first and is very much an AP parent. I can tell you though, that we know a LOT of parents in their 20's who literally have babies, hurry back to their jobs, leave their kids overnight on the weekends, and it's life as normal - baby gets taken care of by whoever, whenever, as long as their lives aren't too disrupted. Yes, this is quite common. Maybe you ARE sheltered, but there's probably not anything wrong with that! :tongue_smilie:

[VeganCupcake]

I know a few moms who practiced EBF. Their bodies did not look like that mom - these women were worn.

 

I'm tandeming my 3.6 year old and my 13 month old and I think I'm looking (and feeling) pretty good these days. ;)

[SilverMoon]

The pedophile comments make no sense to me. :001_huh:

 

I also agree with the poster who suggested it was a good day for the ped##hiles.

 

I know a few moms who practiced EBF. Their bodies did not look like that mom - these women were worn. They also did not look as...smirky...as that mom did. I feel like this mom did this to prove something, but something on her own behalf rather than the behalf of EBF moms or children. What that something is is beyond me because I guess I feel nursing is an intimate thing for the health of the child. I'm okay with nursing an infant discreetly in public because the littles need to eat often, but to blatantly and publicly nurse a 3 year old in such a manner as to end up with that photo on the cover of a very public and popular magazine has little to do with the child and everything to do with Mom.

 

Not okay with it at all.

 

If I come across as worn it's more the teenager's fault than the toddler's. :tongue_smilie: Really though, I wish that stereotype would die. :001_smile: I can out-hike any parent in our Cub Scout pack, with that EBF toddler in a Kelty on my back, but I rather doubt the other parents have a clue that he still nurses. I know I'm not a rarity among mothers who EBF. I would say the vast majority of them are health conscience enough to stay active and eat well. *shrug*

[Soror]

The pedophile comments make no sense to me. :001_huh:

 

 

 

If I come across as worn it's more the teenager's fault than the toddler's. :tongue_smilie: Really though, I wish that stereotype would die. :001_smile: I can out-hike any parent in our Cub Scout pack, with that EBF toddler in a Kelty on my back, but I rather doubt the other parents have a clue that he still nurses. I know I'm not a rarity among mothers who EBF. I would say the vast majority of them are health conscience enough to stay active and eat well. *shrug*

 

:iagree: Ditto here. I generally have great energy and am good shape, I take good care of myself though. I generally get more sleep then other new moms usually though as I co-sleep and can generally sleep and nurse.

[Melissa in Australia]

I have only met 2 women who nursed their child age 3 or older. the first one's toddler would sometimes stand on a chair, He would rip his mother'[s top open and feed whenever he wanted, no matter where his mother was at the time.

Te other mother nursed her child until well over six. Te child would also rip open her mother's top , but she waited until her mother was sitting down, and she would stand beside her to feed.

 

Personally both these women turned me off ever wanting to breastfeed an older child. and also turned me off never wearing a bra. Tey really did look like native women from a documentary, sort of very strings and stretched, the children could pull it a fair way ...

[Kathryn]

Another great response article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-belkin/no-i-am-not-mom-enough_b_1507550.html?ref=fb&src=sp&mimi=1&comm_ref=false#sb=2291676,b=facebook

 

Great article.

[NanceXToo]

Just wanted to add that the tags are HI-LAR-IOUS

 

:iagree: But why didn't the author of said tags fit in care, rare, and Nair? :lol:

 

The cover...eh. Don't like it, don't dislike it. I just can't work up any feelings about it one way or another. I do agree they could have made it look much more natural (like some of the other pics someone linked), but obviously they weren't going for that.

 

btw I started weaning my son at 15 months and finished at 19 months. My daughters, years before, had only been nursed 3-4 months each. So he WAS "extended" for me, but, really, I just don't care either way how long other moms choose to nurse their kids or where or how they choose to do it.

[KidsHappen]

http://yfrog.com/gz5b0ovj - Miranda Kerr nursing Flynn, in heels (because she was on a photo shoot for VS). YOu can imagine her instead on a couch in the robe and heels reading a magazine while Flynn nurses in 3 years and she's between shoots.

 

Ok, I think that you just ruined my day. I always thought that the VS girls looked so great because they hadn't had any kids yet. Where are the stretch marks? The sagging breasts? The extra weight? WTH? I am so glad to hear about stars having homebirths, breastfeeding, homeschooling, etc because I know that it makes it just a little bit more acceptable to the rest of the country.

[Dustybug]

Ok, I think that you just ruined my day. I always thought that the VS girls looked so great because they hadn't had any kids yet. Where are the stretch marks? The sagging breasts? The extra weight? WTH? I am so glad to hear about stars having homebirths, breastfeeding, homeschooling, etc because I know that it makes it just a little bit more acceptable to the rest of the country.

 

 

:iagree: except Heidi Klum was always back on the runway like 2.5 days after giving birth looking in better shape than I have ever been.:tongue_smilie:

[KungFuPanda]

Is it actually a real mother and child? Or is it (shudder) staged? Or photoshopped maybe?

 

I've seen this question a lot and I cannot understand WHY anyone would ask it.:confused:

 

 

They made the nursing look se*ual.

Wrong way to handle it.

 

I also don't get this opinion, but it's been repeated, so it's out there.

 

 

I was thinking the same thing. :ack2:

 

IMO, there was no reason to put that photo on the cover of any magazine. I was expecting to see a photo of a loving mom gazing down at her sweet child, and this was nothing like that. The mom's expression was very challenging and not at all "motherly," and as was already mentioned, I feel sorry for the kid.

 

There was nothing "natural" about that photo. It looked completely contrived and posed, and I found myself wondering if the woman was really the kid's mom or if they were both models doing a job.

 

I think the cover did it's job. We're not talking about last months cover photo.

if you want the typical breastfeeding photo described above, you can look at EVERY issue of the LLL magazine. THAT shot has been done.

 

:iagree:

 

I also agree with the poster who suggested it was a good day for the ped##hiles.

 

I know a few moms who practiced EBF. Their bodies did not look like that mom - these women were worn. They also did not look as...smirky...as that mom did. I feel like this mom did this to prove something, but something on her own behalf rather than the behalf of EBF moms or children. What that something is is beyond me because I guess I feel nursing is an intimate thing for the health of the child. I'm okay with nursing an infant discreetly in public because the littles need to eat often, but to blatantly and publicly nurse a 3 year old in such a manner as to end up with that photo on the cover of a very public and popular magazine has little to do with the child and everything to do with Mom.

 

Not okay with it at all.

 

I also find the pedophile comment weird. I mean, the KID is fully clothed, and the grown woman isn't doing it for him either. HOW exactly do the pedophiles glean a good day out of this shot?

 

If anything, this article can dispel the myth that EBF makes you 'look worn.' Some people believe this and use it as a reason to not nurse at all when the truth is, if you are going to recover your post-baby body, you'll probably manage it before the child is three whether you nurse him or not.

 

I think that position looks uncomfortable, but I doubt the cameraman invented something a nursing toddler hasn't tried. I think he should do an acrobatic nursing photo-shoot. That would be a hoot. The EBF toddlers woyld steal the show and come up with some positions that never occurred to any photographer.

 

I just don't love OR hate the cover shot.

[justamouse]

Sears in on CNN right now, talking about this.

[Slartibartfast]

I think it is great. :)

 

 

Look at all these people talking about it. Not just "aahh!! nursing a three year old!!" but "nurses in a chair??" and "nurses while smirking" and "nurses with small b00ks" and "nurses in skinny jeans!! how dare she!!"

 

It is making me :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

I nursed two three year olds. I am sure if I had let them they would have been delighted to nurse in a chair.

[Annie Laurie]

Sears in on CNN right now, talking about this.

 

I would have loved to hear that. I don't have cable though, darn.

 

You know what's funny about this? All of this talk about AP, as if it's new and trendy. :tongue_smilie:

[Annie Laurie]

I nursed two three year olds. I am sure if I had let them they would have been delighted to nurse in a chair.

 

:lol: Mine too, they would have gone along with it if it meant nursies. But I'm too sleep deprived to have any desire to stand up for nursing. My 17 month old will stay latched while I get up and stand there and nurse and it makes my other kids laugh. I unlatch him myself at that point, he would nurse for hours non-stop if I let him.

[SilverMoon]

Look at all these people talking about it. Not just "aahh!! nursing a three year old!!" but "nurses in a chair??" and "nurses while smirking" and "nurses with small b00ks" and "nurses in skinny jeans!! how dare she!!"

 

It is making me :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

I know! Of all things to get twittered about. Dude. :tongue_smilie:

 

I've nursed in skinny jeans!! There. I said it. I've probably worn them with a tank top, too. Admitting the problem is always the first step to recovery?

[Mrs Mungo]

This picture really just stirs up a megative reaction to breastfeeding, if my Facebook feed is any indication. The picture was selected for shock value, the title/caption is antagonistic to a grpup of women. There are already bad feelings about who does and who doesnt, do you worl or are you a sahm....this just creates a deeper wedge between the two groups.

 

I agree. THAT is why I have a problem with it and no other reason. Look at some of the hateful comments on this thread-p*rverted, sick, disgusting, real women who EBFing are worn out. What a bunch of hooey. But is this article and this cover designed to counter those arguments? Heck no, they are designed to elicit them. Just a few of the comments from my facebook feed (mostly FoFs):

 

I'll quote some of them:

tasteless, bizarre and borderline incestuous

I support breast feeding, but not of children old enough to walk up and help themselves.

That falls well inside the category of things I don't need to see a picture of.

You know what's funny about this? All of this talk about AP, as if it's new and trendy. :tongue_smilie:

 

:iagree:

[poetic license]

I'm not sure if someone posted this or not, but here's TIME's "behind the scenes" on the photo shoot itself:

 

http://lightbox.time.com/category/the-backstory/

 

There is another shot of the same mom holding son in her lap to nurse, but it obviously doesn't have that "in your face" appeal as the actual cover.

[LauraGB]

With reference to my stating that the women I know who practiced EBF looking "worn"...it wasn't a slam; the three women I know looked a lot more exhausted than the lady on the cover of the magazine. They were also older than her. And all three of them have readily admitted that it was hard to maintain and that they "felt" it. I certainly didn't mean to insult anyone - heck, I looked a little "worn" nursing twins when they were infants, too. The body works a little overtime to keep up the milk supply, posture is altered for many of us, etc. My point was that the magazine purposely made her look incredible to gain attention. The photo is not steeped too much in reality, regardless of how fit the mom is.

 

So, I'm sorry if I offended anyone - wasn't my intention. :blush:

[Slartibartfast]

With reference to my stating that the women I know who practiced EBF looking "worn"...it wasn't a slam; the three women I know looked a lot more exhausted than the lady on the cover of the magazine. They were also older than her. And all three of them have readily admitted that it was hard to maintain and that they "felt" it. I certainly didn't mean to insult anyone - heck, I looked a little "worn" nursing twins when they were infants, too. The body works a little overtime to keep up the milk supply, posture is altered for many of us, etc. My point was that the magazine purposely made her look incredible to gain attention. The photo is not steeped too much in reality, regardless of how fit the mom is.

 

So, I'm sorry if I offended anyone - wasn't my intention. :blush:

 

Er...it still sounds like you think all nursing moms should look roughed up. Why would that be the case?

 

More of the photos.

 

http://lightbox.time.com/2012/05/10/parenting/#1

[Mrs Mungo]

With reference to my stating that the women I know who practiced EBF looking "worn"...it wasn't a slam; the three women I know looked a lot more exhausted than the lady on the cover of the magazine. They were also older than her. And all three of them have readily admitted that it was hard to maintain and that they "felt" it. I certainly didn't mean to insult anyone - heck, I looked a little "worn" nursing twins when they were infants, too. The body works a little overtime to keep up the milk supply, posture is altered for many of us, etc. My point was that the magazine purposely made her look incredible to gain attention. The photo is not steeped too much in reality, regardless of how fit the mom is.

 

So, I'm sorry if I offended anyone - wasn't my intention. :blush:

 

Well, even *she* probably doesn't look that way when she wakes up in the morning, lol. I got pregnant with my eldest at 23 and spent the next nine years pregnant and/or nursing. I don't think I looked like a limp dishrag for any of that. But, I was pretty young. :)

[LauraGB]

Er...it still sounds like you think all nursing moms should look roughed up. Why would that be the case?

 

More of the photos.

 

http://lightbox.time.com/2012/05/10/parenting/#1

Nah. I don't think that. In fact, the moms I know didn't looked "roughed up" - that's kind of extreme. Everyone's body handles creating and nourishing life differently.

 

And they didn't have a makeup team and good lighting working things out for them, either. Maybe that would have helped ;).

[VeganCupcake]

I have only met 2 women who nursed their child age 3 or older. the first one's toddler would sometimes stand on a chair, He would rip his mother'[s top open and feed whenever he wanted, no matter where his mother was at the time.

Te other mother nursed her child until well over six. Te child would also rip open her mother's top , but she waited until her mother was sitting down, and she would stand beside her to feed.

 

Personally both these women turned me off ever wanting to breastfeed an older child. and also turned me off never wearing a bra. Tey really did look like native women from a documentary, sort of very strings and stretched, the children could pull it a fair way ...

 

If it doesn't seem to bother the mother, then go mama. It probably doesn't bother them, and so really, it's none of anyone's business. But not every kid who nurses to 3 or older does that. I personally teach nursing manners--what is acceptable nursing behavior for me and my children. For instance, I don't let my children do acrobatics while nursing. You're either nursing, or you're doing acrobatics; you're not doing both at the same time at my breast. That's part of our nursing manners. So if those moms don't mind having their shirts pulled open, then that's their choice. My kids don't do that--they never have. But if they did and I wasn't comfortable with it, I would not allow them to nurse at that time if they did. I'm sure those moms would do the same if it really bothered them.

[Annie Laurie]

Well, even *she* probably doesn't look that way when she wakes up in the morning, lol. I got pregnant with my eldest at 23 and spent the next nine years pregnant and/or nursing. I don't think I looked like a limp dishrag for any of that. But, I was pretty young. :)

 

Yes. How someone looks and feels while extended bfing has nothing to do with bfing. I nursed mine for several years each and I didn't feel tired or worn out. This time I feel tired and worn out with my 17 month old, but that's because he's not a good sleeper, and I have a bunch of older kids to shuttle around and teach. Bfing my toddler is the easy part. It makes things so much easier for me when he's sick or in the throes of a toddler tantrum and I have this wonderful tool that helps him not get dehydrated and recover faster when he's sick, and something that can soothe him so completely when he's overwhelmed by his emotions. Cuddling him and being able to sit and rest is actually a huge help to me on the days I've had little sleep.

[Slartibartfast]

If it doesn't seem to bother the mother, then go mama. It probably doesn't bother them, and so really, it's none of anyone's business. But not every kid who nurses to 3 or older does that. I personally teach nursing manners--what is acceptable nursing behavior for me and my children. For instance, I don't let my children do acrobatics while nursing. You're either nursing, or you're doing acrobatics; you're not doing both at the same time at my breast. That's part of our nursing manners. So if those moms don't mind having their shirts pulled open, then that's their choice. My kids don't do that--they never have. But if they did and I wasn't comfortable with it, I would not allow them to nurse at that time if they did. I'm sure those moms would do the same if it really bothered them.

 

I didn't allow acrobatics, twiddling, or ambush nursing. Nursing toddlers doesn't mean you are nursing monkeys, no nonsense! :lol:

[LeslieAnneLevine]

The pedophile comments make no sense to me. :001_huh:

 

 

 

 

Glad to hear it! Those comments left me :confused:

[DarlaS]

Nah. I don't think that. In fact, the moms I know didn't looked "roughed up" - that's kind of extreme. Everyone's body handles creating and nourishing life differently.

 

And they didn't have a makeup team and good lighting working things out for them, either. Maybe that would have helped ;).

 

:iagree:

 

And Photoshop. Let's not forget the wonder that is Photoshop at erasing even the slightest hint of dark circles and making women everywhere feel inferior for having pores. :tongue_smilie: