Celebs react to TIME’s controversial breastfeeding cover
By now you’ve probably seen the controversial cover on TIME magazine — the May 21 issue that features a woman breastfeeding her nearly 4-year-old son. The Are You Mom Enough? cover story features mothers who nurse their children far beyond infancy.
The cover model is Jamie Lynne Grumet, 26, an aspiring actress with two children: an adopted 5-year-old son and a biological son Aram, who’s featured on the cover and turns 4 next month. Grumet, whose own mother breastfed her until she “self-weaned” at age 6, is practicing what many call “attachment parenting.”
Celebrities, along with politicians and the rest of the world, chimed in with their thoughts about the high-impact photo.
Alyssa Milano, 39, mother of Milo, 9 months
“TIME, no! You missed the mark! You’re supposed to be making it easier for breastfeeding moms. Your cover is exploitive & extreme.”
Alyssa breastfeeds, but not in public
Mayim Bialik, 36, mother of Miles, 6, and Frederick, 3
“I was shocked how amazing her story was. and she gave an educated and eloquent set of responses. I would not have done a photo shoot myself but I respect her and think she is a smart woman.” Mayim often speaks out about her own parenting habits and admits that she still breastfeeds (and co-sleeps with) Frederick.
Mayim contemplates weaning Frederick
Bettina Forbes, co-founder of breastfeeding advocacy group Best for Babes (via TMZ)
“We understand that Americans are uncomfortable with it, but in cultures where babies wean themselves normally, usually somewhere around age 3 or 4, it is perfectly acceptable… We’re happy with anything that is an appealing image, provokes conversation and ultimately desensitizes people to breastfeeding.”
Rush Limbaugh, Republican radio personality
“Improving TIME‘s cover: Replace the mother with a Statue of Liberty…and you’ve got the Obama platform.”
Rush offers his thoughts on birth control
Dane Cook, comedian
“TIME Magazine’s cover is pretty ballsy or t***tsy. The kid looks nourished. Wonder if they call that the yum yum chair.”
Do you find the TIME cover offensive? Encouraging? Enlightening?
