Time magazine cover: Breastfeeding at 3?

christinak22 · May 2012

Has anyone seen the cover of Time magazine with the woman breastfeeding her three-year-old? I have a feeling I wouldn't think it was quite as weird if they weren't both standing up and he wasn't looking at the camera.

Here it is: https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/time-breastfeeding-cover-sparks-immediate-controversy-151539970.html.

I'm in the camp of "once they have teeth and I can hear my nipple crunching between their teeth, we're done." Maybe not all babies chomp as much as my daughter did, though...

jennlin · May 2012

i'm all for extended bf...but i don't think it's appropriate on the cover of a magazine. and the kid looks way older than 3.

k3montel · May 2012

I don't judge others, but I agree that it's a little weird that he's standing and looking at the camera. I'm in the "one and done" camp. I'll bf until he's one, but that's it.

Jen0204 · May 2012

Even if I had the proper supply I would never have breastfed for that long. I don't judge people who choose to do so, although I have one friend who breastfeeds her 3 year old, and he sleeps in a crib still and she hasn't even considered potty training yet. I judge her because I feel like she just doesn't want her child to grow up at all.

The one thing that I absolutely HATE is the headline - Are you mom enough? WTF?! So if I choose to not breastfeed until 3, co-sleep, etc. I'm less of a mom? I actually think that title does a disservice to attachment parenting because a headline like that just polarizes people more and gets people defensive before even reading it. Attachment parenting isn't for me, but I think it gets a bad rap because of people who take it to the extremes, and based just on the cover/headline alone it seems like this would further that line of thinking.

christinak22 · May 2012

Jen0204:
The one thing that I absolutely HATE is the headline - Are you mom enough? WTF?! So if I choose to not breastfeed until 3, co-sleep, etc. I'm less of a mom? I actually think that title does a disservice to attachment parenting because a headline like that just polarizes people more and gets people defensive before even reading it. Attachment parenting isn't for me, but I think it gets a bad rap because of people who take it to the extremes, and based just on the cover/headline alone it seems like this would further that line of thinking.

That's a really good point. I didn't really even notice the headline because I was so caught off guard by the kid staring at me.

lindseypraino · May 2012

I can't see any bennifit for the kid to be breastfeeding at 3. It reminds me of the Desperate Houswives episode where Lynette's coworker was breastfeeding her 5 year old at work to keep losing weight. Lynette was discusted and gave the kid chocolate milk behind her coworker back. I think I'd give that three year old chocolate milk too. It can't be psychologically good for a three year old to be tell his mom to break out her boob. At what point do you stop then??? Crazy??

JessieJH · May 2012

I don't plan on bf'ing that long, but I don't have any problems with it and it's probably very healthy since the reccomendation from WHO is 2 years. By 3 I would imagine they are VERY close to weaning. The issue is probably putting the kid on the cover- likely not something he's going to want his school friends showing him in a few years.

This seems like a cultural issue more than anything. In the US I would expect that we're showing more discomfort with this than in many other nations.

preggersINschool25 · May 2012

I am not around enough kids to guess ages, but I would have never thought that was a 3 year old. He looks big.. like big enough to be a 5 year old or older.

Jen0204 · May 2012

lindseypraino:
I can't see any bennifit for the kid to be breastfeeding at 3. It reminds me of the Desperate Houswives episode where Lynette's coworker was breastfeeding her 5 year old at work to keep losing weight. Lynette was discusted and gave the kid chocolate milk behind her coworker back. I think I'd give that three year old chocolate milk too. It can't be psychologically good for a three year old to be tell his mom to break out her boob. At what point do you stop then??? Crazy??

I would never do it, but I don't think it's psychologically damaging to the kid. It's not like he's thinking of her boobs in a sexual way - they are just a food source to him. My friend's kid just says "I want some milk" and she breastfeeds him. He doesn't say "hey mom, can I suck on your boob". And really, when people stop breastfeeding is all pretty arbitrary so I don't think it's fair to say "at what point do you stop?". My goal was at least six months (which didn't happen) but no more then a year. The WHO recommends at least 2 years.

SqueezeTheClay · May 2012

I breastfed my son until just before his third birthday. When you are the one doing it, it's not weird. I admit I stopped talking about it with people, he only did it in the morning, at night, and if he needed to soothe himself after getting hurt or something. Not everyone who does this is extreme, sometimes it just seems like the right thing to do.

Co-sleeping off and on til he was five and nursing til he was almost three have not ruined my son. He will be 14 in two months and is the most laid back, patient, caring, and giving teenage boy I know. I realize this is not solely because I nursed him, but it provided a lot of stability for a boy with a tumultuous start in life (born to teenager parents, lots of drama back then)

I would have nursed my daughter just as long but she weaned herself right after her second birthday.

Shawnee11507 · May 2012

Ainslie325:
Jen0204:
Even if I had the proper supply I would never have breastfed for that long. I don't judge people who choose to do so...
You're a better woman than I. I do.

Me too. I think it is creepy once the kid can talk to you and ask for it. If I still wanted to BF that far, I would pump. My goal is 1 year. And that kid looks way older than 3.

pinkshades05 · May 2012

I definitely agree that this is very cultural--3 years is average in other countries. While I never imagined bf for that long, all power to those that do. However, it doesn't necessarily make you a better or worse mom. To be honest, it looks like the article is trying to disgust us...

kristin172429 · May 2012

The picture is meant to sell magazines, as is the headline. They are trying to push buttons and make moms react. To each her own on BF decisions - do what works best for your family. If that is extended BF, go for it! Boo to the media for sensationalizing it instead of really talking about. This kind of crap doesn't help or educate.

kristin172429 · May 2012

Ainslie325:
kristin172429:
The picture is meant to sell magazines, as is the headline. They are trying to push buttons and make moms react. To each her own on BF decisions - do what works best for your family. If that is extended BF, go for it! Boo to the media for sensationalizing it instead of really talking about. This kind of crap doesn't help or educate.
Lets not forget that at least one mother who advocates extended breastfeeding was perfectly okay with sensationalizing the issue-- it's not just the magazine. Give that she was apparently happy for her/her child to be the faces of this sort of sensationalization (knowing the aghast reaction it was meant to elicit) tells me she wasn't particularly concerned with public perception of what extended breastfeeding "really" looks like. If I felt passionate about the benefits of extended breastfeeding and felt that a photo in which I was featured was designed to revolt the general public, I don't think I'd want any part of it--regardless of what the pages inside contain.

Oh, I'm with you on that! I don't know why she would agree to participate. No matter how they told her the article would go, she let them take that picture! I don't get that at all.

redheadscu · May 2012

Society is F'ed. When it comes to how you feed your child, we're damned if you do, damned if you don't. I've gotten the side eye for NOT BF, because everyone says breast is best. But then heaven forbid a mom chooses EXTENDED BFing. Then suddenly it's "Oh hells to the no."

I'm curious enough to read the article, but it would probably just piss me off somehow. It would either tell me I use the wrong carrier (GASP! A Baby Bjorn) or that I shouldn't get to co-sleep, because I'm not currently BFing. Is there really that much difference between "attachment" parents and "mainstream" parents? I think we all just parent in general, and I have yet to meet a mom that falls into one of the categories completely. Except Blossom, but I haven't had the pleasure.

As for the headline "Are You Mom Enough." Yes, I am unfortunately. I'd like to be less of a mom... by about 20 lbs.

P.S. I heart character clothes, especially Disney.

Vii Lii · May 2012

I feel like we are such a puritanical society that people balk at any idea involving breasts.

Look at the rest of the world, particularly third world countries where many times breast feeding is the one consistent food source for babies and infants. It's normal to them there, and no one bats an eye or judges.

Seriousy, people need to get over it.

Shmogan09 · May 2012

Ainslie325:
Jen0204:
Even if I had the proper supply I would never have breastfed for that long. I don't judge people who choose to do so...
You're a better woman than I. I do.

Ditto. Old enough to ask, too old to have!

SeptemberBride'08 · May 2012

I started reading the articles and had to stop. DD had horrible reflux at about 6 weeks and stopped BF so I had to start pumping all the time. Slowly my supply is dropping to 8-9oz a day because I can't pump as often as she needs to be held a lot. Those articles were making me feel like crap because I'm trying the best I can to get her back on my breast but she isn't having it. I am a good mom and just because BF isn't working out doesn't mean I'm not "more of a mom".

I do agree with the opinion that we are damned if you do and damned if you don't. ::sigh:: I don't think this will change anytime soon.

MrsLindinger0905 · May 2012

redheadscu:
Society is F'ed. When it comes to how you feed your child, we're damned if you do, damned if you don't. I've gotten the side eye for NOT BF, because everyone says breast is best. But then heaven forbid a mom chooses EXTENDED BFing. Then suddenly it's "Oh hells to the no."

THIS!!!

poobear2015 · May 2012

This is absurd! Fine - if you want to breastfeed into the later ages, that's your choice, it's not for me. Even if I see it happening in public - fine, your choice, again, not for me. But I disagree putting it on a magazine cover! That kid will be in high school some day and I GUARANTEE one of his classmates finds this somehow! (The internet can be a terrible place!) You can bet your behind that it will not be a good day for him!

kyethra · May 2012

It isn't for me, but I don't judge others for extended breastfeeding. I know it can have many health benefits. I do, however, think that in our society once a child reaches a certain age that this is something best done in private. I feel the same way about diaper changes and so forth as well. As far as are you mom enough? Yeesh. Co sleeping, baby wearing ,etc. I think it is silly to have all this guilt over particular choices. My goal is to do what is best for us. And to have a happy baby that is loved and cared for. Now for us that means he sleeps on his own. I don't baby wear that often. And he wakes up smiling so I'd say things are ok.

Meganequine · May 2012

I'm actually interested to read the article. But- I do think the cover is over the top.

1- The headline is definately meant to spark the "mommy war/guilt" drama, debate.

2- That kid looks WAY older than three. (I'm sure it's why they chose him)

3- I'd be okay with picturing and older child BF on the cover if it was done in a natural way. I find it hard to believe that standing on a stool is how he generally BFs and also, it's just weird that he's staring down the camera. Also, very unnatural.

I agree- when that kid gets to HS he's going to get made fun of for the cover. . . kids get make fun of for bathtub pictures and this seems to go beyond it to me.

I plan to BF to one, hopefully, but might switch to pumping only once he gets teeth we'll see. My SIL did extended BF with her daughter, and I'll admit it made me a little uncomfortable, but she had every right to do it.

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