<p>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…</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>Both of my kids naturally quit around 12-13 months old. I was a little sad each time, but…you adjust.</p>
<p>I sure hope that kid in the pic isn’t teased when he’s in school.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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?</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>I don’t have any problem with extended nursing. I have a problem with this particular photo.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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!</p>
<p>I am also grateful to LLL for help when I was a new mother getting started nursing. I nursed both of my sons until age 2, because the older one had life-threatening food allergies that were evident as soon as we tried giving him solid foods. The younger one was nursed almost exclusively until he was a year old. Those last three months were hard, because he went back on a newborn schedule, nursing every 2-3 hours, because he needed so much food. It was worth it, because he is free of food allergies, while my older son has to carry the Epi-pen because, although he outgrew most of his allergies, he is still allergic to nuts. I have evidence that S2 would probably have had S1’s allergies had he been exposed to foods other than breast milk during his first year.</p>
<p>I really dislike this photo and I am a huge supporter of breastfeeding, nursing and child led weaning. Both of my children nursed until the were ready to wean, my son at 2 years, 9 months and my daughter at exactly 2. I discreetly nursed in public when they were young and will vehemently defend a woman’s right to nurse discreetly whenever and wherever she needs to. But this Time cover is just creepy to me! It doesn’t portray attachment parenting in my opinion and is clearly designed to be controversial. I don’t think it will do much to further the cause of attachment parenting, but I will reserve final judgement until I read the article.</p>
<p>I have a much younger SIL and was surprised when she visited and was trying to find a local source for organic baby formula. I really wanted to know why she wasn’t feeding her children the most natural food available but didn’t feel comfortable asking.</p>
<p>What I find offensive has nothing to do with the way she looks or is dressed, it is the fact that it so staged. I breastfed for nearly five year and I never once nursed a child standing on a stool! I have been around many nursing moms in the past 40 years and I never once saw ANY mom nurse a child standing on a stool! The photo is just ridiculous IMO! I don’t see why they couldn’t use a photo of a mom nursing her toddler/preschooler in a natural pose instead of this sensationalistic garbage!</p>