What do you think of the TIME breastfeeding/attachment parenting cover? - Page 2

 

I had a friend who breastfed her children until they decided to give it up.  And I distinctly remember being at her house when her 3 or 4 year old came up to her and started tugging on her shirt because he wanted some.  I don't necessarily think that they understand this is usually only what a baby does because it is what they have known all their life.  I think it gets harder for them to give it up at that age.

I personally think the cover is outrageous. I bf all 3 of my kids to a year. I felt that if a formula baby didn't need formula after that time mine would be ok without breast milk. After a year they are supposed to be getting most of their nutrition from solids. If they are old enough to ask for it they are too old to do it but whatever. If that is your choice so be it but I don't need to see it. It is a lot harder to be discreet in public when your kid is that big. The cover/article mentions Dr. Sears and his wife Martha. I think they are phenomenal! I couldn't have gotten through labor and delivery without their book and I never would have succeeded in BFing DD11 without The Breastfeeding Book. I don't think they are extremists and that their info and advice is good when tempered with common sense. The lady on the cover of Time seems to be lacking in that area.

I agree with Di~ I'm more worried for the KID...that cover is going to haunt him! Sorry, but that was my first thought. Right along with...how old is that kid?! He doesn't look 3...so there will be flack for that too......


Also...the title kind of pi$$es me off..."Are you Mom Enough?" So what....I'm not [Mom Enough] b/c I didn't breastfeed?

I have no issue with a 3 year old bf'ing, at that point it's usually only for comfort at bedtime. I consider myself an AP parent and my kids didn't extended bf, but to each their own. That cover is ridiculous, though.

In many cultures, even the Western-European cultures in the 1800's, it was perfectly normal to breastfeed into the toddler years - up until about age 5. Heck, up until the mid-1900's mothers in Japan would breastfeed to early adolescence. However, now a days, the typical cut-off age is 13 months. Breast feeding is still the preferred method for most societies around the world simply because it is so inexpensive and nutritionally advantageous (as long as the mother has an adequate diet). Even without cultures where food is adequate, it is easier and more cost effective to provide nutritious food for the mother and let her breastfeed than it is to try to provide formula for the baby.

 

That said, I prefer to wean between the 1st and 2nd birthday, after the child is eating a wide variety of soft foods and when the purpose of breast feeding becomes more for comfort than nutrition.

 

I was thinking he looks much older than 3 too!  I think that is a little much.  I tried to BF, I really wanted to, but it just didn't work out for me.  I BF DD#1 for only 2 weeks and had to be in the hospital due to gall bladder attaches, so I had to stop.  With DD#2 I went for about 3 months or it might have been 6 months, I forget.  I just couldn't keep up with it.  So does that mean I am not an adequate mom because I wasn't able to BF for long?  I sure don't think so, I had to do what was best for my kids and formula was best for them since I couldn't produce enough for them.

I remember a sitcom that had a guy say when the kid is old enough to unhook your bra it's time to stop breastfeeding. 

 

Honestly the cover is ridiculous, but it's her choice not mine. 

You do what you can do and they say babies can benefit from any amount. WIC pushes BF.   "THey have a poster that says Breastmilk is always best for baby but breastfeeding is not always best for mom. For those babies there is formula." It isn't a contest. No parent goes into parenting intending to make bad decisions. You do what you think is best for your baby period. For some that means formula, for some it means formula and bfing, for some it is bfing 3 weeks, 3 months or 3 years. I did it for a year with the second two and that was ENOUGH! The first I went 13 months and it wasn't long enough but medications I needed to take said I was done. Each parent needs to decide for themselves but to put it all out there for the world to see and pictures to follow? Sure, the mom had a choice to do the shoot but did the kid? Could a kid that young even be able to comprehend what this photo could mean for him in 10 yrs? No, mom should have thought of that. Heck, the editor of the article should have thought of that!

Still Nursing my 16month old my goal is 2 years. That is the WHO recommendation and I think the US is behind in saying at least a year. I have read up and the benefits out weight the disapproval of society  

 

Anyone else know that the world average age of weaning is about 4 only here in the US it is about 1month. All those less developed nations happily nursing there seven year old after all it may be there only source of nutrition.

 

Sadly it has become a cultural thing. In this country and this time nursing past a year is not the norm. Heck in some states nursing at all is not the norm look at the southern states rates of 1 year olds still nursing

 

I have taken to asking when I am at a playdate and my toddler wants to nurse. I am fine with it but I want to respect those who are not. 

 

They picked an rather large three year old at that. It was to get a reaction there is no going around that.  

They obviously picked the biggest 3 yo they could find for the cover. I think the cover (yes, meant to be provocative) is annoying, though I think breastfeeding till age three is fine if you want to (or more importantly, if your KID wants to).