Time magzine

MamaCoffin · May 2012

lucylea:
starsjaime:

I personally think it's ridiculous to breastfeed any child at that age. Why is it necessary? I'm sure I?ll get flamed, but that's my honest opinion! Whatever people want to do is there decision and that is fine. But my opinion is that you are crazy to breastfeed your child past the age of 1.

I won't flame you and won't try to sway your decision as I think everyone tries to make the best decision for their individual family in this situation, but while its not necessary breastfeeding past 1 is very beneficial to both mom and baby. https://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/ We will continue to nurse until at least 18 months if possible, so call me crazy, it won't be the first time! :-)

I'm not flaming either... just using the beginnings of this discussion to give my opinion. I think it's crazy to NEED to give your child cows milk to aid in growth and developement. The milk that your body produces is catered specifically to your child's needs. Cows milk is made for cows. It's not what nature intended. Cows milk for cows, goats milk for goats, humans milk for humans.

With all of that said.... I was very unfortunate in my breast feeding endeavors. Despite countless interventions she was never able to latch. I exclusively pumped until the pump was no longer able to draw a drop. We were lucky enough to make it 4 months before she needed an ounce of formula. So THANK GOODNESS we have other mammals milk as an alternative. But were I still producing, and could I continue to produce for years to come, I would provide her with the best milk she could get. Be it attached to my breast or pumped into a bottle.

And yes, I drink cows milk and eat products that were made from cows milk. But I'm no longer a child in need of the nutrients from milk to aid in my growth and development. That is what I'm referencing in my post.

jk4ever · May 2012

As a mother who desperately tried EVERYTHING to BF my child, I find the title of this article hurtful and upsetting. Like, if you are unable to feed your child in your/this ideal way, then you are not a good mother. I don't know how I feel about extended BFing. I ended up weaning at 8 months, after countless tears and heartbreak and trying everything I could to increase my supply. This takes my unsuccessfulness (word?) and makes me feel like I have been slapped in the face and punched in the gut because now, all of a sudden, my efforts were not enough and I am not longer "mom enough" for my daugther. It is completely insenstive to those of us who truly wanted to BF/EBF and just couldn't make enough milk.

As for extended BFing, I really feel like a mother should do what she feels is right and it is absolutely none of my business. Do I think the cover of this magazine is a bit bizarre? Yes. Do I think it is taking the whole thing out of context, absolutely. Would I feel weird seeing someone BF a 3 year old in public? Probably. But again, it is none of my business. If my older child were to ask what that lady was doing, I honestly don't know what I would say, but I am sure I would think of something along the lines of 'she is breast feeding her child. You used to do that when you were younger' and leave it at that.

And I have to say I get why people are "against" extending BFing. It is not the norm in our society and for some it is uncomfortable to see something like this. But, unless it is your child, you don't get to be for or against it becuase it is not up to you. And I agree that this picture is going to haunt that poor kid for the rest of his life. I really hope that as he gets older his friends never ever get a hold of it. Teenage boys would most definitely not understand the message here!

pettycrocker · May 2012

I was really indifferent about the cover. I was way more shocked by a link to Selma Hayek breastfeeding a random baby in Africa (it was linked in one of the links to the Time cover) I watched the video thinking "this is so weird" but then after it set in a little bit, I thought that was so sweet of her to feed a hungry baby. I was disappointed in myself for even thinking it was nuts at first.

Honestly I don't care how long people want to BF their babies, and I know the cover was meant to be "in your face/blunt/shock" but I was just "Meh" about the whole thing.

Here's the Selma link in case anyone cares to see it : https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/10/salma-hayek-breastfeeds-a_n_165676.html