Raising a child is a very individual experience. Each child is different; each family is different. The best solution depends on the child and family that that child is a part of. To proscribe just one way to do it is silly and leads to turmoil. In the form of arguments with other parents who are "right" or the form of a difficult parenting experience in trying to force the "right" way to parent on your own family.

Time Magazine is simply trying to make money and sell magazines. From the headline to the photo, this is not an accurate and fair representation of the practice of breastfeeding. First, most mothers do not look like this. Second, most mothers do not stand, almost defiantly, while breastfeeding their child. The cover model is just that...a model. Although she is also a mother and a lactation consultant.
The APA (American Pediatric Association) strongly encourages breastfeeding for at least 6 mos and preferably for one year or so.
I suppose I'd rather see Time Magazine talk about the more common type of breastfeeding which lasts for 1-18 months. Mothers should be able to nurse their children in public without being asked to leave or cover up as they often are. Instead, Time Magazine is leaning towards sensationalism.

Very much agree with HarCoMom. I think this photo is a poor representation of attachment parenting, and was chosen to be controversial. The one thing I will add-it bugs me that AP is referred to as a trend. It's not. It's normal for many cultures, however America has been made to think that breastfeeding is gross or indecent. Mothers are asked to feed their babies/children in the bathroom so others aren't offended. I don't think any of us would like to have our lunch in a public bathroom...neither would my son. It's somehow ok for women & men to be scantily dressed in Abercrombie ads or a Victoria's Secret window, but when a mom discretely feeds her child it's disturbing.

I support any parent's right to do what is right - and works - for their individual family circumstances. What does bother me is the headline "Are you Mom Enough?" - which implies I may not be mom enough because i don't follow the beliefs of those who "attachment parent."

Would a parent with an addiction garner as much response as this?

This same woman on the cover breast fed an adopted 5 year old. That woman has issues that have little to do with being a mom. Sorry only a sick freak would nurse a kid that can verbalize they're hungry.

That kid has TEETH!!! That picture is disgusting

Beastfeeding is the healthiest and most natural way to feed a baby, but....this?,,,,Whoa!

Looks like child porn to me...

I have no problem with women breastfeeding babies. Babies are mean't to be breastfed, toddlers are not. If the kid has teeth it should be eating solid food. This picture is disgusting.

This video is creepier than this photo though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxv6R9fUO74

Either way, I feel like if they continue to breastfeed after the kid is a toddler it's not as much for the benefit of the kid (I actually believe it will cause co-dependency) but more for some sick need the mother needs to fulfill in herself.

Breast feeding really isn't the issue. Time's cover is. As mentioned above, it is exploiting the issue and trying to sex it up. Breast feeding really isn't that sexy.

I feel so sorry for this boy. He'll probably run away, dye his hair, and change his name first chance he gets. Can't say I blame him if he does.

The media wants us as parents to argue over the "right" way to raise kids. No one way is right and to ask if you are "mom enough" is an insult. Just like sahm vs working moms, tiger vs smother moms - we're all just figuring it out as we go and hope for the best. My best isn't the same as your best so lets just stop comparing ourselves.

This is sick and disturbing on so many levels, it is borderline child abuse.

I am an advocate of "extended breastfeeding" and "attachment parenting". Apparently, I have practiced them but never really adhered to those terms myself. I have breastfed all 7 of my children to varying ages, depending on the individual child. Most nursed longer than one year but none over age 2. I do have friends who breastfed children age 3 and 4. I don't have a problem with that. Although, I do have a problem with this photo because it is ridiculous and stupid. It's simply not realistic. No one does it that way! This photo was intended to be shocking and portray extended breastfeeding to the extreme. It portrays it as sexual, inappropriate and even, fanatical.. This will not help advocate breastfeeding to a large segment of the American population who are already uncomfortable with the practice. I am very disappointed to say the least. TIME magazine, YOU SUCK!!!

Anyone who thinks "real life" breastfeeding is somehow sexual or inappropriate has their own issues they need to get over. And furthermore whose business is it how long a mother chooses to nurse her child? There are so many atrocities going on in the world today and this is what people chose to get upset about?

This picture is very disturbing and disgusting. This child looks older than a toddler! I think mothers that breastfeed their children beyond the baby stage have issues themselves.

I'm 45 and I still breast feed...

The photo is supposed to be controversial, so they used an older child who looks older than he is, but I can't understand why it's accused of being sexual. Is that just because the woman isn't large and matronly "earth mom" looking or just because there is a breast involved?

Very few speak out in offense by the constant covers showing unrealistic touched up pictures of women with their breasts falling out of sexy clothing. We're so used to seeing breasts being exposed in their sexual context that we accept the prurient and reject their natural purpose, and apply something dirty to it. It would be like expecting women not to be seen walking on their feet, lest they tempt men with foot fetishes.

Have any of you seen the comedy, "Grown ups" ? It has a women in it that does just this. Hey,, in Eroupe theve have done this forever,,, they let kids sleep with them till 9 or 10. So one could say its not bad,,, Eroupe doesn't have our social ills,, or near the child killings,, especially child on child.

I say to each his own. You have to do what is right for your family and child. Being a parent and raising a child does not come with a "how to manual". I think the picture is disturbing, but probably not an accurate way of how she nurses her child. As parents, we need to stick together and focus on raising kind, caring, and productive kids.

Time Magazine did exactly what they intended to do... Stir up controversy. If my daughter wouldnt have self weaned at 14 months, id have breastfed 2-3 yrs. Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing to a mother, the connection you get with your child is amazing. The kid in the pic is a bit old.... But really, TO EACH THEIR OWN. The cover portraying bf'ing is silly, but again, it got Time what they wanted- SALES & MORE CONTROVERSY.

I breastfed my 'baby' not my toddler/young boy. I think it is a bit much. It does look awful

Two comments.
The magazine could have tried to do a piece on the economy, etc. and highlight how we got here and the Democratic and Republican proposals to get us out of our problems. That would take brains by the magazine. Unfortunately, the libs running the magazine can't do this because their advanced degrees are in such challenging majors such as American Studies and Political Science. They will get their day of fame and then go back to decreasing readership.
Second - looks like the boy is on a strict breast milk and Papa Johns diet. How is that healthy?

Time Magazine is doing 2 things. First, they are trying to sell magazines. How many people would walk past this article and not make a comment. Not many. People would pick up the magazine and begin to read it. The second thing they are doing is giving information. They are giving readers the positive and negatives of the situation. Everyone has their own opinions on how long they want to breastfeed their children for. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It's not for anyone to criticize.

Ours is quite literally THE ONLY CULTURE ON PLANET EARTH that has a problem with breastfeeding past infancy. It is the norm to breastfeed in many countries/cultures to 4. 5, 6 years old. Sexualizing breastfeeding or thinking it is "inappropriate" for a certain age that is well within the norm anywhere else on the planet is a sad representation of the strange and disturbing relationship Americans have with their own bodies and with sex. I find some of the comments on here pretty terrifying. The ones with the real issues are those who CHOOSE to see sex or disgust over nature and nurture. Pretty sick.

That's deplorable that they put this on the cover of the magazine! My daughter "weaned" herself at age 9 months.

This woman is unrealistically attractive for a mom. Rarely do you see American moms that have held up that well.

LEIGH, if your 3 month old could stand on a step stool to feed and could tell you what he wanted to eat, then yes!! that's time to stop....just my opinion

We've deleted some comments that were attacks on other users. Please stay on topic.

Leigh. What people do in their own homes is their own business. But seriously, why put on a magazine like that? like someone else said, what is the boy going to think when he gets to his teens?...assuming he's done breast feeding by then.

People fail to realize the health benefits for both mother and child. The longer a mother breastfeeds, the lower her risk for developing breast cancer. Also, the mother's body continues to make antibodies that help the child fight illness. My daughter is almost 19 months old, and we are still nursing at night. She has had a total of 3 colds and they were minor sniffles. She has never had a fever or infection and has never been on antibiotics.

Must be nice having this kind of time to kill!