Short version: Like the pictures, dislike the inflammatory title. Article okay.
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| Nursing Gwen, 3 months |
I think the picture was posed to be a little "in your face," but I also think that as a society we need to get over our hangups about boobs. That mother is doing with her breasts what breasts are made to do. The fact that society has chosen to sexualize breasts, is an adult problem... no 5 year old is thinking of his mother's breast as a sexual object. Only an adult would say "sucks on his moms breasts," that 5 year old is saying nursing or nummies or milkie. I wish the title they chose wasn't so inflammatory, but I like the pictures. I think they are beautiful.
As for the article, I know some AP individuals are getting up in arms over it... but I don't think its anti-AP. The title sucks, and I don't think the full text of the article is online, but I didn't think it painted AP in a bad light. Yeah it may have focused on some of the "extremes", but its wasn't negative per se. I think they were actually trying to show how normal the women who do this are.
What are your thoughts?
Great article. It is all up to the family, mother and child how long you breast feed and if you even choice that route. I agree with you. This length of extended breast feeding is certainly not for me but is great to bring awareness to it and our natural food source.
ReplyDeleteI thought the cover photo was redic. That's not nursing - thats a photograper trying to shock and a magazine trying to get a lot of press. And the truth is that most people aren't picking up the Times and reading the article - which means they are just stopping at seeing the cover and their intial reaction of "weird" or worse...and I can't fully blame them, I'm fully pro BFing for as long as you wish and still think that picture is weird. I'm sad that they did such a disservice to the ex-bfing community. Think of how wonderful it could have been if done in a more natural position? The picture you posted here would have been a lovely cover, but of course it wouldnt have gotten the reaction they were looking for.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't love the image they portrayed of AP mamas - it came off as pretty militant...I mean, they've even got the kid wearing camo.
I'm sad Time is purpetuating the exhausting Mommy Wars.
I think each mom should have their own choice
ReplyDeleteI should probably start by saying that I haven't read the article, so I don't know what is actually TIME's stand on the issue; however, I believe that MOST people won't read the article and will only see the cover and form their opinions about AP and BFing based on that. So, as an AP and EBF supporter, I am disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI'm disappointed because I don't think that image is doing us a favor. I think it's unnatural looking. I get it - it's edgy - but that's not going to encourage new moms to BF. I get the sense that the general public says "ew that's weird" when they see the cover. They don't, like us crunchy mamas, say "oh how wonderful for that mama and child that they have such a healthy BFing relationship!"
The image aside, the title and tagline is what REALLY upsets me. "Are you MOM enough" implies that if you DON'T breastfeed your child into their toddler years, then you're not doing a good enough job at being a mother. "AP drives some mothers to the extremes..." implies that if you EBF for too long, then you're insane. So... what is any mom supposed to feel or think when they read this? My son is 10 months old and I hope to BF him as long as possible.... so I guess that puts me in the "crazy" category... well, it wouldn't be the first time I've been looked at funny for my parenting choices!
I'll have to make sure to pick up a copy of the magazine to be able to form an opinion about the story itself, but I have a feeling it's not going to impress me.....
As I said before, I do like the picture... but I definitely see where you ladies are coming from in it being too affronting and not enough people will even look past it to see what's actually being said. I do hope this fosters some good discussions though, and gets the idea of BF past 1 year to be more mainstream.
ReplyDeleteAnd, regarding the fostering of mommy wars: I think all parents (minus the actually abusive, neglectful ones obviously) are just doing the best they can. And just because your best looks different then my best doesn't mean that either of us is doing "better." In general, people just need to stop trying to bring others down for their decisions, just because they are different. And yes, I definitely wish that media would stop playing it up as a right vs. wrong, your way vs. my way thing!
I can't wait to read the actual article! We're an AP family and I don't think it's extreme in any way, just feels natural to us. The title seems pretty negative, so I'm curious to see what the actual story is.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the article so my comments are on the cover. I think the wording could have been so much better to portray what I think they were trying to portray. It is a shame that the message may get missed due to marketing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the Mama's above. When did it start being the child's fault that we live in such a sexualized, immoral world? Funny how something that God created to nourish our children naturally, is now looked at as the unnatural method. I personally BF my son until he was 18 months and would have gone longer but started having contractions. My daughter was born 2 weeks later and nursed for 31 months. We just stopped last month. Nurse until it is right for you and your baby!
ReplyDeleteI agree! It's a woman's choice. And I don't like how title makes it sound like we're in a contest.
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