Time Magazine goes for shock value cover

[atomic sagebrush]

My mom just messaged me this and I thought it was cute and germane to the thread!!

Students in an advanced Biology class were taking their mid-term exam.
The last question was, 'Name seven advantages of Mother's Milk', worth 70 points or none at all.


One student, in particular, was hard put to think of seven advantages. He wrote:

1) It is perfect formula for the child.
2) It provides immunity against several diseases.
3) It is always the right temperature.
4) It is inexpensive.
5) It bonds the child to mother, and vice versa.
6) It is always available as needed.

And then the student was stuck. Finally, in desperation, just before the bell rang indicating the end of the test, he wrote:

7) It comes in two attractive containers... and the cat can't get it.

He got an A.

[Flava]

I really don't care who do BF and who don't. I think all of us have a problem with the title only not the BF part.

[Orchid]

I agree the title is disturbing. I think what is normal and not normal is based on what you are used to. My mom BF us kids for 3-4 years old so I don't feel yuck about the cover picture. My co-workers use to roll their eyes when they saw pumped breast milk in my hand after my son turned one. For them one was too old. It is really a personal choice. To each their own.

[Ribbons]

I agree totally, I mean we're all totally friends here and now people are getting upset. Curse you Time Magazine LOL.

Seriously - being a bad mom means leaving your kid locked in a hot car or living in a meth house - whether you choose to BF or not, organic foods or not, cosleep or CIO - those are all things that great moms worry about. We're all on the same team and want the best for our kids no matter how we go about that!

I've noticed this too in my FB circles - I have both "crunchy" and "noncrunchy" moms as dear friends and they are all bickering about this. I've tried to stay out of it as best I can, because I fall somewhere in the middle and I certainly don't take sides on either approach - I think what works best for you and your child is perfect. What works for one family may not work for another. I am EBF my almost 3-year-old and I have gone through periods of great joy (and occasionally, periods of regret - mainly when I am starving for a night away, which I have never had since his birth!) for that decision. Some kids naturally wean younger, some older - it really depends on the child's needs (and the mother's needs are also important, too, which I think a lot of attachment moms struggle with!)

I find the cover of the magazine highly offensive because it is OBVIOUS that they are trying to stir up controversy. I mean, first of all, the way that the child is portrayed makes him look much older than the late 3's he actually is. He also looks like he is being forced into that position, almost pulling away. I am sure that his relationship with his mother, in private, is NOTHING like that, or he would have weaned already! Why not a loving, natural breastfeeding position? And the woman is made out to have a look of "power" on her face, as if she is being smug. I highly doubt that she knew how the article, and picture, were going to be portrayed because I doubt she would have done it. I really wish they would have done a neutral article about the debate, rather than causing all this mess. urgh.

We are all mothers and we are all superheroes- EBF/formula, cloth diapers/disposables, organic/non-organic, it doesn't matter! We love our children just as deeply. (I raised my first child pretty much the opposite of attachment and I certainly don't love him any less.)

[nuthinbutpink]

I do not find the act offensive. That's a strong word. I was offended by the word ignorant just so everyone is clear.

[OnlyPraying]

oh this cover is offensive alright!.....offensive to two of the major religions in the world that forbid breastfeeding after 2yrs....

[DoulaMama]

I'm sorry NBP. When I read your post last night, I have to say I was fuming. I too am sorry that you get that vibe from me. I do not feel that way about you at all. I just really dislike what you posted about extended nursing mom's. I didn't feel you were joking at all. Maybe saying that you were joking would have been a good idea.

I myself was a 100% formula fed child. I like to think I'm healthy and have a good head on my shoulders. I would love to see more women nurse their babies but honestly, I really don't think about it that often or really even care to be honest. I nurse my own kids because I feel it's best for them. I have nursed up til 2 with each of my boys and most likely beyond 2 if I had not gotten pregnant. With my last I can see myself nursing beyond 2 for sure....most likely to the 3's.
What I have an issue with is this:

I think it is silly and gross at this point. No four year old should be nursing still. Can you imagine how he will be made fun of when he is a teen?

Seriously, at some point, you have to let them go and there is clearly no nutritional value anymore so who really benefits from this kind of extended feeding. I bet she wanted to keep the boobs.

It's not a baby. He's not even a toddler. At what age is it inappropriate? 9,10? Teenage years? Babies and toddlers are one thing but when there is no benefit to the child anymore, I believe it is more the mom getting off on having the child still need her like an infant does.

How many moms do you know personally that nurse until 3yo? I know about 15. Nursing a preschooler isn't for the feint of heart. Most mom's do feel very done at that point but it isn't the mom that keeps pushing the nursing...it's the child. You can't FORCE a child to the breast....The child wants to be there. Child led weaning is exactly that- child led. The child obviously feels the need to nurse still and the mother respects his need. There is nothing gross about nursing the child you love. It isn't about "keeping your boobs". And breastmilk doesn't just turn to water at a year old so there are nutritive values. When I say ignorant comments, I mean that what you are saying is uneducated comments on extended nursing. There are some women on here that are nursing preschoolers or that plan on it, and shaming them isn't very nice, IMO.

I really dislike the picture and the title on this mag. No one nurses their child like that. The title is offensive to ALL mothers. Why can't we just let mom's do what they feel is best for their kids without making fun of them?

[Ribbons]

Most mom's do feel very done at that point but it isn't the mom that keeps pushing the nursing...it's the child. You can't FORCE a child to the breast....The child wants to be there. Child led weaning is exactly that- child led. The child obviously feels the need to nurse still and the mother respects his need.

Amen sister. I don't know how I'm going to get through this pg... I've had friends that have done the tandem thing and have survived, so I am pressing on, but already I want my boobs back

[Hobbermittens]

You know, I wonder if there would be any comment at all to an almost 4 year old still using a bottle? Probably not. Our society is still pretty backwards when it comes to breastfeeding.

[Ribbons]

I just ran across this article about the cover. TBH, I just skimmed the article, so not making any comment on its content; just posting it because of the additional pics provided - there is another one (of a mother gently tandem-nursing) that would have been SO much better, if the intent of the article was to be neutral and not controversy-inspiring.

Jamie Lynne Grumet, Breastfeeding Mom On 'TIME Magazine' Cover, Illustrates Attachment Parenting