Anyone Else Find This Appalling?

L.,
Part of the problem is the way this story was reported. They could have just as easily said "75% of American women are happy to see breastfeeding portrayed in a positive way" Instead they focused on the 25% who were against it. These are probably the same 25% who don't let their kids watch TV, refuse to look at Abercrombie and Fitch catalouges, or do anything which requires removing themselves from a self made bubble. Personally, I think one misses out on a great deal of life that way, but, hey, it is still a free country.
Just my little 2 cents worth....

D.

I think it is a horrible reflection of people's misplaced values. Our society tolerates - promotes - pornography, which is perhaps why it can't handle seeing breasts being used for what God made them for!

I was amazed at the hateful reactions and I find it hard to believe that these men were actually offended by the picture. I think they just can't handle feeling a mixture of arousal and tenderness at the same time. Our society encourages sex without feeling or responsibility.

I am glad you posted a followup response. I think it is wonderful. I have breastfed all of my children and don't think it is anything "gross".
B.

I think the reaction to the magazine cover answers the question of "why women don't nurse longer". Because we live in a country filled stupid selfish prudes.

I am very proud to have nursed my daughter until she was 17 months old. We had a very rough start with nursing, and I was not a full time SAHM, but I was determined to do the best thing for my daughter even if it wasn't always the easiest thing for myself.
It makes me sad when I hear about women that choose to formula feed or are unable to continue to breastfeed due to lack of support, knowledge, or supply (which is usually the side effect from lack of support and knowledge). I think these mothers and babies are missing out on something that is so important and wonderful.
I'm really excited about all the recent media attention the issue has had recently. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before breastfeeding is both the biological norm and the cultural norm.

Ms. L.,

Frankly, speaking about this subject is solely left of to the individual. And usually, when others thoughts and view on your personal choices does not appeal to them. You can rest assure there will be pro and cons regarding the taste of it. Put it in respective and feed your child. Is there a real law about it? I really don't know.
But, I bet you will have a lot of woman whom chosen to do so will be there for you. So, ignor the small percentage and enjoy what makes you feel good. I am sure the baby will be even healthier and the bond will be even stronger. I wish I could have done so when I had my 4 children. But, it does seem so natural to me.

What did they do in the B.C. day?
Think about it. Before, it was fashionable, or in bad taste. Clothes, shoes, covering of the bodies is mans law not God law. Society tend to take things way out of portion with their own believes and myths. Focus on your child baby and do it with care for the non-believer comments.
I stand natural because I have not had that experience of breastfeeding. But, I would stand firm if I made that conscience choice.

L.,
I am from Europe, and I don`t find the magazine cover offensive at all. Over there, you see topless women at the beach everywhere and people don`t pay too much attention to it, unless the woman has a very attractive body.

I completely support breastfeeding, in public or not. I do, however, believe that the general public has skewed idea of the true purpose of nursing, which is to provide nourishment for a growing baby. I also can see where it can make some uncomfortable if not done discreetly. It is not "gross", and it is definately not "sexual". Kudos to the magazine for exposing this issue so fearlessly by placing actual "event" on the cover of their popular magazine. But, here we are in America, and one of the most awesome things about being an American is our freedom of speech!!

Funny thing is, if you didn't KNOW it was a breast, it really could look like almost any part of the body. Americans are definitely hypersensitive about breasts being exposed TO FEED BABIES, which is ridiculous, considering (as someone already mentioned)how tolerant our society is of nudity in general. Silly and immature. There was also a great point made about the way the story was presented -- I think it's great that a HUGE majority of people who responded in the poll found nothing wrong with the cover! Progress! And for the response about nursing mothers needing to "cover up" . . . Oh brother. If you don't like it, don't look.

I do. I nursed all of my children and found it to be a beauiful experience. I think nursing is a natural process and should be view as something wonderful not shameful. I wish more mothers felt the same way.

What I find is appalling is your response to this article. I think breastfeeding is wonderful and natural and I was proud to have breastfeed my son for the first year of his life. I frequently breastfed in public - discreetly, and was not never ashamed. I think that giving your child the best possible nutrition and bonding are the type of family values I believe in.

How ridiculous! Why would someone mind seeing a baby nursing on the cover of a baby magazine when they wouldn't mind seeing nude women on public television in broad daylight? I am so sick of hearing how people are offended by women feeding their babies. Isn't that what women's breasts were designed for? What a disturbing article.

I don't think there is anything to be appalled about. Like one other mother, I'm proud to have breastfed my daughter to nearly 18 months old. I never "revealed" myself in public to breastfeed, but did so discreetly. I'm appalled at what teenages where these days - their jeans barely cover their pubic hairs and they are painted on. Thongs showing out of them, Daisy Duke shorts. I wonder if people are appalled when they see the naked belly of a pregnant woman. There's nothing wrong with breastfeeding and the US has to get over these issues. Europe and other parts of the country are WAY ahead of us in that respect. More power to them!

When will the people in this country grow up? People in England or Canada wouldn't go crazy over a breast on the cover of a magazine. I don't see people going crazy when models go nude with paint on the cover of big magazines. People preach that breasts are art, they are natural, etc etc...but then freak out when a nursing mom is on the cover of a magazine that 50% of the time has some type of story about nursing. There is a reason that it is perfectly legal and "PC" for a woman to breastfeed in public...and that's because it is supposed to be accepted. If people don't like it, don't look at it. These people in this story that were interviewed and "tore the pages off so my husband wouldn't see it"...come on people...has your husband seen your breast? Has he probably seen pornography or the breast of a stripper or seen a breast in a movie since you have been married? Probably...

These people have WAY too much time on their hands...

Probably given the fact that I am a labor and delivery nurse I found the cover quite acceptable. There is nothing appalling about depticting a baby breastfeeding. Especially since the magazine that it was the cover of was appropriate.

I actually saw this magazine on the stands. I thought wow this is right in line with my views I may need to subscribe to it! I posted this link to the message board on breastfeeding.com you might see what can of discussion it generates.

I love breastfeeding. As a matter of fact, I'm doing it as I type this very second. I even breastfeed under a light blanket in public. However, I do not think showing the picture on the cover of a magazine is appropriate. If it is in a breastfeeding manual to help instruct women on how to do it, that's fine. But little children should not be subject to this imagry. And sad to say, there are perverts out there who would look at it in a bad way. I think that breastfeeding is a very sacred and beautiful thing. I personally feel that this type of sacredness should not be exploited on a magazine cover... especially since the whole article was objectivly trying to spark controversy. It is sad propaganda. I also do not support celebrities or movies, ads and tv shows that show half naked women running around. The naked or "underclothed" body is art, however it is sacred and like I said earlier... "cast your pearls before swine" you know? And covering the bodies IS God's law. Why else would he have created a garment of fur to hide Adam and Eve's nakedness?

I'm not really sure what you are appalled about. I don't know if you find it offensive that a baby is breastfeeding on a magazine or if you find it offensive that the country that we live in is so against seeing it in public.

Honestly, I support breast feeding. I think the picture is appropriate for the magazine and for women that would be reading it. I think that this country for all its freedoms has some really hypocritical attitudes towards motherhood that they would never place on celebrities. I think Little Kim showed more breast than that at some award show and hers was freely bouncing on my TV in front of anyone. Do I hold that against her? No. The female form is beautiful and should not be looked at as grotesque.

As for breastfeeding in public, I think if a mother is descrete, feeding under a blanket, it is great. I don't think any woman should whip out her boob in a public facility. That can be uncomfortable. I certainly wouldn't walk around topless in public. I think it's gross when men do. I think topless should be reserved for beach situations for either sex.

Just my opinion... and everyone has one.

:)

Jodi