Mom Breastfeeding 4 Year Old Cover Of Time May 21 Issue

parent1986 · 05-10-2012, 04:09 PM

Time cover milks shocking image (photo) - The Style Blog - The Washington Post

What do people think, about attachment parenting as well as the cover photo?

elle232 · 05-10-2012, 04:18 PM

I think people should be allowed to parent as they want, however, I can't imagine that kids horror when he sees that as an adult. She has made a decision that will effect him for the rest of his life...I hope she thought it through...

musmom2 · 05-10-2012, 04:27 PM

Written by a graduate of the same HS my kids went to. Can't wait to read it!

mom2collegekids · 05-10-2012, 04:29 PM

I'm a big fan of breastfeeding, but I also think it's odd when moms breastfeed kids who are old enough to really be feeding themselves. I never liked it when my friend's D would just start lifting up her mom's top to eat no matter where they were.

Both of my kids naturally quit around 12-13 months old. I was a little sad each time, but....you adjust.

I sure hope that kid in the pic isn't teased when he's in school.

toledo · 05-10-2012, 04:37 PM

Might be a little tough when it comes time to send them off to college

TheGFG · 05-10-2012, 04:43 PM

Not sure why simple hugs wouldn't be sufficient to maintain attachment with a child of that age. But to each his own. I do think she was unwise in publicizing her views with a provocative photo that included her son, since her behavior is controversial.

emeraldkity4 · 05-10-2012, 04:43 PM

The article says the little boy is three, but he does look tall for his age.
Time mag breastfeeding cover doubletake: What about the stats? - CSMonitor.com

NJTheatreMOM · 05-10-2012, 04:57 PM

"Time" has turned into a sensationalistic rag. However, I do think it is fine for a child to nurse for as long as they are so inclined (they will always want to stop eventually!), if the mom is open to the idea.

It is not "feeding" after a certain age, but a thing the child does for comfort, hence it is more properly called nursing than breastfeeding. Prolonged nursing leads to less thumb sucking and and less dependency on a favorite blankie or stuffed animal or whatever.

When my own kids were over the age of two, nursing was mostly a way to help them get to sleep at night. I didn't think public nursing was too cool with a toddler, really.

NYMomof2 · 05-10-2012, 04:59 PM

I think that Time sunk to the level of the tabloids with that cover, which was clearly meant to be provocative. Why not a photo of Dr. Sears? And why was a young, sexy woman chosen?

I feel strongly that having the child participate in this borders on abuse. He is identified, and the cover will follow him throughout his life. He didn't choose this.

I don't have any problem with extended nursing. I have a problem with this particular photo.

Hunt · 05-10-2012, 05:05 PM

I don't care for this photo being the symbol for attachment parenting, which includes a lot of great ideas that have nothing to do with breastfeeding at age 3 or 4.

mathmom · 05-10-2012, 05:12 PM

I have no problems with breastfeeding till four. I know from experience that three-year-olds don't nurse like newborns. At least my kids just liked a cuddle before going to bed. They really didn't want to give it up, and believe me, I used to suggest it all the time! They grew up to be independent kids who trotted off to their preschools without looking back. But yeah, I think putting a picture like that on the cover of Time is a pretty mean thing to do to your kid.

mamabear1234 · 05-10-2012, 05:25 PM

Completely agree mathmom! Each of my kids nursed successively longer, with the youngest going until about 3. I tell them that is why they are so smart and healthy! My kids were the best behaved on planes - they would discreetly nurse and go right to sleep. But I wouldn't put a picture out in public.

emeraldkity4 · 05-10-2012, 05:25 PM

If people are interested in supporting nursing mothers, LLL is a better resource than Time magazine.
My oldest was in the hospital for two months after she was born, and wasn't strong enough to nurse full time until she was four months old, so I really appreciated the help La Leche League offered.

1moremom · 05-10-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

The philosophy advocates breastfeeding, eschews spanking children and other kinds of corporal punishment and has inspired the natural childbirth, anti-circumcision and natural and organic foods movements.

This is exactly what many of us were doing 25 years ago; why is it now on the cover of Time? (I am another LLL booster.)

mamabear1234 · 05-10-2012, 05:29 PM

My mother, as an immigrant, was a very early member of LLL in the 1950's. My D and I were at a baby shower a month ago where several young mothers were talking to the mom-to-be about how much they disliked breastfeeding, and I had a talk with D on the way home about that!