Time Magazine Cover Shows Mom Breastfeeding 4-Year-Old Son: Did They Go Too Far?

but the only person you should be concerned about it being wrong for is you. who cares what other people do with their kids?

Unless I think there is a serious case of abuse or neglect I don't.

obviously... but this is neither.

I read your links and what you, and a few others had to say and I've come to the conclusion that there's some biological basis to extend the breast feeding if one chooses it to maybe 4, or so....

So, I don't think it's wrong for every situation. That is my conclusion.

I do think it may be questionable beyond that, as suckling at a breast may have other social and psychological implications and might not be in the best interest of the child, regardless of biology. There is sociological factors to consider.

Of course there are sociological factors to CONSIDER... however that is because of the society we NOW live in, and thats not because of time or century. Its geographical. Here in America the majority frowns on breastfeeding in general, so naturally they'd be considered when talking about extended breastfeeding. However you have to remember that children mature and wean differently. Some walk and talk before others and most mothers can see and pay attention to their child's emotional needs to determine what is in their child's best interest when parenting. Some children are independent enough to wean at 2 and others aren't. While there are some mothers that do it for their OWN emotional need (which i think is selfish, but still not abuse), the majority do it because they are considering their child's emotional need. To wean a child before they are ready can have long term emotional instability and detrimental to emotional development.

How do you know that it is detrimental to a child's emotional stability and emotional development to wean them prematurely? Oh, that's right, you don't. You are painting with a very broad brush in making such a statement. Same thing with saying women who wean before a child is ready are selfish. Another generalization......

It may be natural to breast feed until age 7 or 8 from a purely biological standpoint, but it is not necessary so long as the child has adequate food and drink, especially when you consider suckling as a means of self comfort. Most will not only frown on breast feeding as a kid gets older, but bottle feeding and pacifiers too.....This could also be considered "biological".

I appreciate your opinions and I can understand your angst in our society, as you are correct it isn't too breast feeding friendly, but this is changing now since doctors encourage it due to the immunity and nutritional benefits. Just try not to get upset with me for disagreeing or not knowing it all. Remember, neither do you. My issue was mainly with the photo. It's pushing an idea the woman may support, but I think she made a mistake.

I said I THINK it's selfish, and that it was SOME women... so I don't see where It was a generalization. However there are several studies showing that premature weaning IS indeed detrimental to a child's emotional stability and development. I will gladly share once I dig them up. Most children are introduced solids between 4 and 6 months of age, and yet nursing is still encouraged until 2 years of age. A child of that age would really only be nursing 1-2 times a day. Food would be his main source of nourishment. My issue with the photo is that it puts women against each other. You don't have to breast feed at all to be "mom enough" let alone extended breastfeed. We're all mom enough.

Yeah ok, you said "some" women are selfish.

But you made an arrogant sweeping generalization about how weaning prematurely causes emotional instability and is detrimental to emotional development.

But worse, is your continued way of disregarding and ignoring everything I've offered in this conversation while you push your own beliefs. You've gained nothing by it, but yet you go on.

I am no longer interested in pursuing this discussion with you, and I'll hope you'll respect my wish to discontinue it at this time.

I said It CAN have long term effects on emotional stability and could be detrimental to emotional development. Not that it was written in stone somewhere. That is not a generalization. It's a possibility. You have simply taken everything I wrote out of context. I go on because I'm trying to explain my thought since you misunderstood it. You don't have to talk to me anymore, but don't take my text and add words that aren't there.

None of what you say is true, though, nor does any of it make any sense. But you keep telling yourself that it does.

Hows that?

Since most children don't experience long-term emotional instability or emotionally detrimental developmental problems from weaning, you failed to make a case.

I have to install a higher level Adobe Flash Player to view your video link and can't right now due to time constraints.

I AGREE!

I've seen these sick "Mothers" do this - you have no idea of what I wanted to say to them, but then I figured that was exactly what they wanted people to do. I wonder what they will have to say when CPS shows up. If that is not messing the kids head up, I'm hard pressed to know what is.

I' not a big baby who lets the small things in life, like magazine covers hurt my feelings. Respond to me without sounding like the butthurt flows through you. I dare you.

Breastfeeding calls for some discretion. Making a public spectacle like this mother is over the top. Time Magazine has no moral compass whatsoever.

Liberals once again being creepy.

youo can say that again......

That boy is way to big to be latched on to mommy's boobs... whats wrong with this?

just tellin it like it is I guess.... didn't want to know, but hey - now I do (and it's weird)

Time is a failing magazine. They have to cover National Enquirer issues now just to stay in business

there is nothing at all wrong with breastfeeding. its so funny that people find this offensive, but dont care when women and men are more than half naked in a picture on a cover, but oh lordy lordy! this is just horrible!! hahaha they obviously were fed too much cows milk as a child.

and you've been fed too much liberalism......It is NOT (according to the poll) acceptable...not in a civilized society.
NO...there is NOTHING wrong with breast feeding...but there is a limit and this has gone way over the limit

actually it hasn't. This isn't about liberalism or politics... this is about being a human being and feeding a child. The world health organization suggest Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.<--- see that word... BEYOND. We are mammals, no matter how "civilized" you see yourself you're ALWAYS going to be a mammal. Get over it.

YOU get over it...this is not a third world country YET...so don't tell me about what world health organizations suggest....feeding a child in a third world country would be a totally different situation....just because we can, doesn't mean we need to go to this extreme....and yes...i do see myself as civilized., but certainly not an animal...so why act like one? .

News flash. You're an animal. If a creature gets its energy from eating other things and it can move around on its own, then scientists call it an animal. Dogs, cats, frogs, fish, dinosaurs, and humans are all examples of animals. Pick up a book.

I'm an animal.....LOL.,..oh...maybe a creature? go suck an egg...You're off our rocker

lol so hostile... I expected more from someone so "civilized". =)

You're right, but a 4 yo is far beyond the normal weaning period.
The beneficial nutrients from breast milk have already provided their protection, so this is overkill.

whatever, i still dont find it offensive, its her body and her child. id rather feed my child breastmilk than cows milk, regardless of age its a lot healthier. im not saying its "normal" to drink breastmilk at an older age, but if you want to talk about health, its still better than cow milk.

What have you got against cows?

nothing at all, i think its disgusting that we exploit them for the milk that belongs to their babies.

That's the funniest thing I've heard this month.

what?

What you said above, it was hilarious.