2006-08-06

Women's Health News: BabyTalk Magazine Cover Controversy

I'll put it out there now.
Warning: some readers might find this post offensive.

However, NO apologies here.

Check out the link to Rachel's comprehensive coverage of the response to BabyTalk's cover this month (but please come back.) It features a closeup of a mother breastfeeding in public.


There have been over 700 letters sent to the magazine regarding the "sexuality" and "inappropriateness" of the cover of this magazine designed for new Moms. I just have a few views to share on the topic.
  1. Breastfeeding is a natural - and the ORIGINAL - way to offer a child nourishment. If I chose to feed my child jello when he as hungry, I wouldn't expect to have to do it in hiding.
  2. It's a breast. Get over it. We ALL have them. We don't criticize men for taking their shirts off when they are overheated- so why condemn or even arrest a woman for doing it to feed her hungry baby.
  3. I breastfed my son. Believe me, I found NOTHING sexual about it. Try spending 4-5 hours a day connected to a breast pump and see how sensual you feel.
  4. Bottle-feeding did not even exist until the last century or so. Breastfeeding has been (and continues to be) the norm worldwide.
  5. Breastfeeding is medically recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Flossing your teeth daily is recommended by the American Dental Association, but I doubt there would be flack over showing that on a magazine cover.
Lighten up, people. New Moms have it hard enough as it is. Please let them feed their child, in whatever method works for them, in peace.

Updated: grammatical corrections

5 comments:

ArticulateDad said...

Amen to that. Nicely done.

Vinny said...

Awesome post! The number of boneheads in the world is staggering, isn't it?

Breastfeeding is not a sexual act. Even the most callous of men, after the initial 'can I get me some of that' would have to admit that breastfeeding may be one of the more life-affirming acts you can witness. After actually giving birth, it is the closest a mother can be to her child.

I'll admit, there are a few folks at LaLeche who are into the 'breatsfeed for as long as you can', and I do have a bit of a problem there. There comes a time where children, in my opinion, should be off the breast. I think the age of one is a time where we should at least be discussing it. However, family choices are just that, and who the hell am I to get in the middle of your family business?

Unless you are beating or otherwise injuring your famaily in an illegal sense, I have no business telling you what to do. Those who would limit and regulate what is considered to be medically and nutritionally appropriate should be ashamed of themselves, and not those women trying desparately to do what is best for their children.

Not bad for a guy, huh?

P.S.- 5:10? That's what I want to try doing. Writing in the morning. I'm just too darn lazy...

Vinny said...

Awesome post! The number of boneheads in the world is staggering, isn't it?

Breastfeeding is not a sexual act. Even the most callous of men, after the initial 'can I get me some of that' would have to admit that breastfeeding may be one of the more life-affirming acts you can witness. After actually giving birth, it is the closest a mother can be to her child.

I'll admit, there are a few folks at LaLeche who are into the 'breatsfeed for as long as you can', and I do have a bit of a problem there. There comes a time where children, in my opinion, should be off the breast. I think the age of one is a time where we should at least be discussing it. However, family choices are just that, and who the hell am I to get in the middle of your family business?

Unless you are beating or otherwise injuring your famaily in an illegal sense, I have no business telling you what to do. Those who would limit and regulate what is considered to be medically and nutritionally appropriate should be ashamed of themselves, and not those women trying desparately to do what is best for their children.

Not bad for a guy, huh?

P.S.- 5:10? That's what I want to try doing. Writing in the morning. I'm just too darn lazy...

Vinny said...

Awesome post! The number of boneheads in the world is staggering, isn't it?

Breastfeeding is not a sexual act. Even the most callous of men, after the initial 'can I get me some of that' would have to admit that breastfeeding may be one of the more life-affirming acts you can witness. After actually giving birth, it is the closest a mother can be to her child.

I'll admit, there are a few folks at LaLeche who are into the 'breatsfeed for as long as you can', and I do have a bit of a problem there. There comes a time where children, in my opinion, should be off the breast. I think the age of one is a time where we should at least be discussing it. However, family choices are just that, and who the hell am I to get in the middle of your family business?

Unless you are beating or otherwise injuring your famaily in an illegal sense, I have no business telling you what to do. Those who would limit and regulate what is considered to be medically and nutritionally appropriate should be ashamed of themselves, and not those women trying desparately to do what is best for their children.

Not bad for a guy, huh?

P.S.- 5:10? That's what I want to try doing. Writing in the morning. I'm just too darn lazy...

Anonymous said...

I am still astounded by the simple stupidity that is out there.