Jamie Lynne Grumet, Time Cover Mother, Defends Extended Breastfeeding

(Fixes typo in para 5)

NEW YORK, May 11 (Reuters) - An American mother shown breastfeeding her three-year-old son on a controversial cover of Time magazine that has sparked a national debate about attachment parenting defended the practice on Friday, saying it was a personal choice.

Jamie Lynne Grumet, a 26-year-old mother from Los Angeles who herself was breastfed until she was six, said extended breastfeeding and attachment parenting has benefited her family.

"I don't feel like it takes away from my personal life. My relationship with my husband is very, very important to me. It gives my children a strong bond too," she told the "Today" morning program.

The provocative photo of Grumet feeding her toddler son Aram who is standing on a baby chair to reach her exposed breast has caused a media uproar.

In a Today poll of 122,000 people who were asked what they thought of the cover, 27 percent said it was great but 73 percent sa id they really did not want to see it.

Attachment parenting involves prolonged physical bonding with a child through extended breastfeeding, carrying and sleeping with the baby as well as responding to the infant's cries.

The phrase was coined by Dr Bill Sears, a 72-year-old pediatrician who wrote "The Baby Book." Critics of attachment parenting say it takes motherhood to the extreme and is not good for the child.

But Sears denied it is harmful and said the style of parenting produces a happy, healthy, well-connected baby.

"I've never yet seen an attachment parenting baby who has become a school bully," he told the "Today" show.

Grumet, who also has a five-year-old child, said she knew the breastfeeding Time cover would create a media craze.

"It is a big commitment and it is not right for everyone. You need to do what is best for your baby and for your own family," she said.

Grumet added that she hoped her son's fourth year will be his last breastfeeding. (Reporting by Patricia Reaney; Editing by Christine Kearney)

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Comments

[shshelli]

09:20 AM on 06/05/2012

She needs help with her mental issues!!!!

[scared in the bible belt]

02:54 PM on 05/29/2012

Come on! This isn't about what is best for the child. It is about, what the mother wants.

[vagnar]

04:30 PM on 06/05/2012

Publicity?...

[Cly Johnston]

06:24 AM on 05/21/2012

You stupid, selfish woman. Your son will be bullied and mentally scarred for life because of this. No reunion will go by without it being mentioned. It will be with him always. You did it for a pay cheque and you've made a mockery out of breastfeeding alltogether. Happy with yourself? I hope the fortune you got for this tasteless and senseless cover is put aside for your son's future psychological illness.

[Namtrig Idnarb]

05:38 PM on 05/16/2012

Stupidest read I ever read. So does Mrs. Grumet have any evidence that an attachment parented baby has never bullied anyone, or is she spouting nonsense. I breastfed my child until she was one, and YES I WAS MOM ENOUGH TO DO THAT! I also allowed her to sleep in her own room (which she loves and kicks me out of). The more she learns to do on her own the happier she becomes! Has anyone asked the question "Is attachment parenting done for the benefit of the child or to appease the parent's ego?" I am mom enough to allow my child to become more independent and learn how to deal with situations on her own (no matter how much I may want to cuddle with her in my bed at night).

[cojonius]

12:28 PM on 05/16/2012

(12 yeears later)

Steve, Arams best friend:

"Hey Aram, can I have lunch at your house?"

[COURTNEYMARET]

03:25 PM on 05/17/2012

I agree with AP parenting and 'extended' breast, but this comment made me lol

[Conuly]

12:43 AM on 05/16/2012

Yeah, this article isn't biased *at all*.

[motemaven]

05:10 PM on 05/15/2012

Might as well start helicopter parenting early in life so the kids won't protest later on, lol.

When will these little guys learn autonomy? I breastfed too, so I am a huge proponent of breastfeeding. But when my kids said 'my byself' I'd let them have the autonomy to do things on their own. I bet if she offered her toddler a sippy cup he'd be happy to take it.

[Conuly]

12:43 AM on 05/16/2012

Why do you assume her three year old son doesn't drink out of a cup as well?

(And really, a sippy? For a three year old?)

[motemaven]

09:14 AM on 05/16/2012

I guess I am confused by your parenthetical statement. Are you saying that a three year old is too old to be drinking out of a sippy cup but not too old to be suckling from a breast or bottle?

Children at 3 may lack the ability to not spill their liquid refreshment which makes breast feeding much easier in public than giving them a glass. A sippy cup or covered cup with drinking spout allows the youngster to hold their beverage, drink and prevent spillage when the inevitable drop of the container happens. Its a natural step in the progression of learning how to be a functioning little human being with apposable thumbs.

The way I see it is my jobs as a parent is to help my child grow and adapt to life so that when the time comes, they will be able to thrive in the world without my constant intervention. The first step along this path is to help the child gain some autonomy learn through trial and error with my help and guidance.

They need to know you will be there for them but not necessarily do everything for them.