Time Magazine's controversial cover photo portrays a mother breastfeeding her nearly four year old child. The article is on 'attachment parenting', which consists of three main tenets: extended breastfeeding, baby 'wearing' in slings, and co-sleeping.My reaction to this photo is anger, not because of the breastfeeding- but the implication that if I am not breastfeeding my children until preschool that I am not "Mom Enough". I do not understand why women continue to chastize each other for the choices that we all make. Mothers do what works best for their family- and clearly breastfeeding works best for this family.
Breastfeeding was a struggle for me. In fact, my milk never fully came in with my first- which was extremely frustrating. I had to go back to work when he was 6 weeks old, so I stopped breastfeeding even before that. It does not work for everyone, for a variety of reasons. But I do not feel that anyone should be looked down upon for not choosing that method!
Time Magazine was obviously sensationalizing this topic, and I do not appreciate it. I wish they had not cast 'attachment parenting' as such an extreme method. I have serious concerns with co-sleeping, and I think it is a difficult habit to break. But the general idea that a mother wants to bond with her child is not extreme!! I wish that a variety of motherhood choices were supported by society. Isn't that the definition of freedom? We need to stop judging each other! http://wp.me/p1AbH5-1I
How does this photo make you feel?
