Gisele: Breastfeeding Should Be 'Law,' It Helped Me Keep My Figure (UPDATE, POLL)

UPDATE 8/3:

Gisele has backpedaled a bit, posting this on her blog:

My intention in making a comment about the importance of breastfeeding has nothing to do with the law. It comes from my passion and beliefs about children. Becoming a new mom has brought a lot of questions, I feel like I am in a constant search for answers on what might be the best for my child. It’s unfortunate that in an interview sometimes things can seem so black and white. I am sure if I would just be sitting talking about my experiences with other mothers, we would just be sharing opinions. I understand that everyone has their own experience and opinions and I am not here to judge. I believe that bringing a life into this world is the single most important thing a person can undertake and it can also be the most challenging. I think as mothers we are all just trying our best.

As reported 8/2:

New mom Gisele Bundchen--who famously gave birth to 8-month-old son Benjamin at home in a bathtub --tells the September issue of Harper's Bazaar UK that she thinks breastfeeding should be mandatory for the first six months of the child's life.

The 30-year-old supermodel told the magazine "Some people here [in the U.S.] think they don't have to breastfeed, and I think 'Are you going to give chemical food to your child when they are so little?'" adding "I think there should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months."

In the interview, Mrs. Tom Brady also reveals her post-baby body secret: "I think breastfeeding really helped [me keep me figure]."

Quick Poll

Do you agree with Gisele?

Yes. I think breastfeeding a child for the first six months should be law.

Sort of. I don't think it should be law, but it should be encouraged.

Not at all. I don't think children should be breastfed, period.

Whatever. I don't think it matters if they're breastfed or given formula.

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

The supermodel is outspoken about her belief in natural childbirth. Not only did she give birth in a bathtub, but she also used yoga and meditation--not drugs--to help her cope with the pain. She tells Harper's that meditation "prepared me mentally and physically. It's called 'labour' not 'holiday' for a reason, and I knew that."

(Via The Daily Mail)

Comments

[carnitine]

10:26 PM on 08/10/2010

No, now go back to distracting Tom Brady so the Patriots will suck this year :-)

[scout1984]

10:38 AM on 08/05/2010

Breastmilk is better even if the mother isn't eating a healthy diet?

[MJinCanada]

08:28 PM on 08/22/2010

Yes, unless the mother is so undernourished that she can't produce enough milk. However, bearing a cild and breastfeeding will take its toll on the mother if she lacks vitamins and minerals. Particularly calcium.

[soey]

05:03 PM on 08/04/2010

Personally I tried to nurse both my babies but stopped after a few days because I just couldn't produce enough milk. & some mothers are able to do it but needed to go back to work after a few weeks. She nursed her baby for...three weeks? Super-rich supermodel married to a super-rich player, what's her excuse?

[latoussaint]

12:25 AM on 08/17/2010

That's too bad. She was kidding, but I actually think lactation specialists should be included in all insurance policies and clinics to help women who have problems. As for working women, breastpumping works fine and fenegreek helps tremendously in boosting milk supplies. I am actually breastpumping now and have for over a year, hard work but worth it, my baby hasn't been sick once, not even a runny nose or eye.

[EnviroBooty]

04:13 PM on 08/04/2010

I am sure she was just kidding when he said it should be law. I agree with her sentiment entirely as far as the benefits but it is just not right for all women. Too bad b/c it is so good for baby (except for the jet fuel in breast milk) easy and cheap!!

[kinogod]

01:14 PM on 08/04/2010

I agree mama. Babys hungry

[John Horner]

01:10 PM on 08/04/2010

Sometimes people use the term "it out to be the law" to emphasis a point, without literally meaning that they want a government to enact a law. Similarly, people often say "argh, she made me so mad I could kill her" or "this is ice cream to die for" without literally meaning that they intend homicide or are actually willing to sacrifice their lives for a scoop of ice cream.

[NoPretenses]

10:48 AM on 08/04/2010

She's been a mother for give minutes and is now an expert?

[Tracy Williams Jr]

09:29 AM on 08/04/2010

Everybody is entitled to their opinions, however everybody isnt a Super Model.

[yoyodyne666]

03:33 AM on 08/04/2010

I'd be more than willing to help her keep her figure ....

[ndchris]

01:52 AM on 08/04/2010

Although she's ususally on point with her insight, I have say trying to enforce every woman to breastfeed is alittle extreme.

[Dottedvoile]

12:55 AM on 08/04/2010

i think men should get maturnity leave w/pay.

[latoussaint]

12:28 AM on 08/17/2010

They do in most other countries....it's the law!!!!

[AgathaX]

11:21 PM on 08/03/2010

Laws do play a role. Government ends up paying for formula anytime someone decides they don't want to nurse and cannot afford formula. There should be financial incentives to breast feed, and financial disincentives not to.

Here's a suggestion that I'm sure no one but me will get behind: Anyone who willfully and without medical reason chooses not to breast feed, while having no means to procure formula over the long term, should be prosecuted for child endangerment, caused to utilize long term birth control or have her tubes tied, and followed by social services. (No jail time or fine should be assessed unless the mother refuses to utilize birth control or does not cooperate with social services.)

And no doctor shall prescribe anti-depressants or any medication that would interfere with breastfeeding until at least one week after the birth.

[ailbhe]

10:34 PM on 08/04/2010

Are you of German heritage?

[dovelove]

09:51 PM on 08/03/2010

But seriously though, you really think she was advocating this be mandated by law? Not. She's just speaking as a first time mother who has found breast-feeding to be great for her and she's advocating it in a very exaggerated way. She clearly understands that what she said offended some, but I don't think it was intended the way it reads.

[silencedogooder]

09:29 PM on 08/03/2010

she's assuming that all women who don't breastfeed take the choice lightly. there aren't laws forcing women to do this because as a parent she makes the decision. a woman could have a pressing medical condition which requires medication which would derail breastfeeding and of course there are children with allergies. ugh, new celebrity mom syndrome.

[Raven626]

10:17 AM on 08/04/2010

Thank you for saying that. I decided not to breastfeed as a personal choice for me and my child. After almost 3 days of trying, it simply didn't work for either of us and she was just about starving and I had to feed her. I could have tried again later but she was fine as things were and I just continued with formula. My child is in college now and is healthy and beautiful. Its a choice and sometimes its just not possible. Once again people think its black and white and pass judgement too quickly.

[eudaimoniac]

01:13 PM on 08/05/2010

I think what gets lost in translation when breastfeeding advocates speak out as Gisele has done is that, while breastfeeding may not work out for every new mom, mother's who are able to breastfeed ought to breastfeed. There is a world of difference between being physically or emotionally unable to and plain not wanting to. No mother should be made to feel like she did not do the best for her children because she could not breastfeed, but mothers who choose to use formula, without giving breastfeeding so much as a try, need to stop the sanctimonious outcry: very simply put, no one's saying you are a bad parent, but you did not do all that was in your power to give your child the best start you could.

[happycat]

08:49 PM on 08/03/2010

I didn't nurse my children, and they are both strong and healthy. It is a personal decision, and we must respect women for doing what is right for them and their bodies.