Time Cover

[DubaiSis]

I think the whole breastfeeding thing is such a bizarrely hot button issue. My sister-in-law couldn't breast feed because it just simply wasn't working. Having a new born losing weight is just not a good idea, so she had to stop. And the "planning to barbecue her thing" was what she got a lot of because she preferred to have a healthy child instead of an attached at the nipple one. If you can breast feed for a year, that's great, but once the kid can walk up to you to ask for it, nuh uh.

And sleeping in Mom and Dad's bed occasionally can be a treat for everyone, but a child should have their own space from day 1. Of course, how are you ever going to be a successful heli-parent if you let your child out of your reach for 8 hours a night? Maybe it's being 1 of 5 kids, but we just couldn't do it and I do think the independence we were given from birth probably lead the way to us being independent adults who don't have milk obsessions. I've known at least one adult who had an unhealthy attachment to milk. I would love to know if he was breast fed and for how long.

[KSUViolet06]

There was a GCer (I forget who) who posted about getting a similar reaction after having to stop breastfeeding early due to a cancer scare. That's appalling.

I do have a couple friends who are parents and they accuse Time of perpetuating "mompetition" with the headline.

[Greek_or_Geek?]

I find it hard to believe that a mother who "cares" so much about her child to continue to breast feed them so long thinks nothing of exploiting them by putting them on the cover of a magazine like this. The kid's going to grow up. Google is forever. He's not going to think this is cute in a few years.

[chi-o_cat]

Originally Posted by Greek_or_Geek?

I find it hard to believe that a mother who "cares" so much about her child to continue to breast feed them so long thinks nothing of exploiting them by putting them on the cover of a magazine like this. The kid's going to grow up. Google is forever. He's not going to think this is cute in a few years.

This times 100!

[MaggieXi]

A child who is thriving and is happy is what is important. There needs trump the needs of moms to engage in "mompetition". This story was only covered by TIME for sales reasons.

I had planned on breastfeeding for 6 months. I ended up only doing 3 because my daughter was not gaining enough and had severe reflux. More than one pediatrician said she would be better off on formula. After the switch, my daughter was happy and you could see the developmental change in her within 2 weeks. When I tell moms who breastfeed that, they freak out and say doctors would never say that "breast is best".

My daughter spent several days in the NICU after she was born, the nurses there said do not allow this baby to sleep in the same bed with us once we got her home. She was already used to sleeping away from me. She has been in her crib since day 1 for bedtime (that doesn't mean I didn't sleep in the chair in her room for the first few days), and she has always been an incredibly good sleeper and was sleeping 7-8 hours straight at 4 months.

(a side note: I was listening to coverage of this story on my way to work this morning, a report said mom is a former play mate and stated that she was breastfed until she was 6).

[Munchkin03]

Even though I don't even have kids yet, I've been sanctimommied by AP women with whom I work. For them, it's gone beyond "mompetition" and is just another way to cause schisms between women. In a male-dominated field that's kind of effed up.

My mom was always really adamant with my sister about letting my niece and nephew sleep with her as a matter of principle...it's not just about the kid it's about your marriage/partnership! There are kid zones and there are adult zones...

Also, I don't think that 20 years is long enough to call oneself a "parenting expert," the way that Dr. Sears and some of his most loyal acolytes have.

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by Greek_or_Geek?

I find it hard to believe that a mother who "cares" so much about her child to continue to breast feed them so long thinks nothing of exploiting them by putting them on the cover of a magazine like this. The kid's going to grow up. Google is forever. He's not going to think this is cute in a few years.

THIS.

I have what is possibly a dumb question that is in no way intended it be offensive. I'm legitimately curious since I am not a parent and really have no idea.

Several people have mentioned baby sleeping in the bed with parents. I have heard that this should be discouraged due to the fact that parent can easily roll over and crush/suffocate the child. Is this common practice? It seems to have been mentioned a few times, so I was curious.

Oh, and I'm talking about baby sleeping with in the bed parents...not like 3-5 year olds or baby sleeping in a separate crib in the parents' room. I know I crawled into my parents bed on several occasions after a nightmare when I was that age--so if either of those two scenarios is what people were referring to, please disregard!

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I think the whole breastfeeding thing is such a bizarrely hot button issue. My sister-in-law couldn't breast feed because it just simply wasn't working. Having a new born losing weight is just not a good idea, so she had to stop. And the "planning to barbecue her thing" was what she got a lot of because she preferred to have a healthy child instead of an attached at the nipple one. If you can breast feed for a year, that's great, but once the kid can walk up to you to ask for it, nuh uh.

And sleeping in Mom and Dad's bed occasionally can be a treat for everyone, but a child should have their own space from day 1. Of course, how are you ever going to be a successful heli-parent if you let your child out of your reach for 8 hours a night? Maybe it's being 1 of 5 kids, but we just couldn't do it and I do think the independence we were given from birth probably lead the way to us being independent adults who don't have milk obsessions. I've known at least one adult who had an unhealthy attachment to milk. I would love to know if he was breast fed and for how long.

If I ever have a child I may not breastfeed since a medicine I take regularly to help me enjoy a fully functioning life is passed through breast milk. I could stop taking it while pregnant since my body will probably be out of whack anyway, but with an infant now in my life functioning at the highest level possible would best for everyone.

I also can't imagine having a child in my bed with my partner and actually getting rest. I have severe sleep problems and not being rested already negatively affects me, can't imagine what would happen if a baby was added in and a dude who snores. If I was breastfeeding I might add one of those beds to the side so baby is nearby, put the crib in the bedroom, but I'd have no problem taking turns with my future baby's daddy with who is on night duty and sleeping in a separate room from the precious darling so at least someone isn't sleep deprived.

My nephew will be six this summer and he is still not sleeping alone the majority of the time, I don't know why my sister hasn't gone on a murderous rampage yet.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I've known at least one adult who had an unhealthy attachment to milk. I would love to know if he was breast fed and for how long.

LOL!!! I was breast fed for a year and a half (to note: I didn't get teeth till I was 15 months old) and I am VERY VERY VERY picky about milk - it has to be very cold, it has to be served in either a glass or a mug, I don't like certain brands etc etc. Maybe you've uncovered the root of it!

I thought we had all learned from the Law & Order episode where the baby died because the lactation counselor had scared the mother out of giving it a bottle.

And occasionally when I couldn't sleep Mom33 came and slept with me - co-sleeping was not an option since Dad33 didn't wear jammies. Farm folk.