Time Magazine's Breastfeeding Cover Stirs Controversy
Breastfeeding has once again made its way into the national spotlight with the new issue of Time magazine's cover showing a young mother breastfeeding her nearly 4-year-old son.
Time's cover, which was released online on Thursday, shows Jamie Lynne Grumet, 26, breastfeeding her son. Grumet was one of four mothers photographed by Time for their cover story on "attachment parenting."
The concept of "attachment parenting" became a national topic after Dr. Bill Sears published his book "The Baby Book" in 1992. In the book Sears describes various methods of creating a deep emotional connection while raising a child by utilizing several techniques including extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping and "baby wearing."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Grumet explained that she was aware of the controversial nature and understands that some may not feel that her actions are appropriate, but feels that her methods are "biologically normal."
"There are people who tell me they're going to call social services on me or that it's child molestation," she said.
She is, however, finding it hard to explain herself to those who are skeptical of her breastfeeding practices.
"I really don't think I can reason with those people," she admitted.
The mother feels that there should be a more open discussion about the topic of breastfeeding and that mothers should offer support for one another, not criticism.
"There seems to be a war going on between conventional parenting and attachment parenting … That's what I want to avoid. I want everyone to be encouraging … and I don't think we're doing a very good job at that," Grumet explained.
The provocative cover drew all types of reactions from people who were both open and wary of having such a photograph on the cover of a national magazine.
"Love the Time cover. In the cringiest way possible." AllThingsD.com's Peter Kafka wrote.
"Anybody else slightly slack-jawed over this weeks' Time cover?" said Adam Clark of The Atlantic Wire.
"Heads up, parents!" one user tweeted. "If you're planning to take your kids grocery shopping, you will have to explain this Time mag cover."
