Celebrity Breastfeeding Photos Are NOT Offensive on TV!

Is it really offensive to see a woman breastfeeding?

Is it even more offensive for a celebrity to show herself breastfeeding her twins, on national TV?

Julie Bowen, who stars in ABC's Modern Family made this controversial move on The George Lopez Show on Mon, May 17th. Not only did she voluntarily give George the photo of sons John and Gus, who just turned 1, she also demonstrated how you hold twins and breastfeed both at the same time -- it's called "the double football hold."

Julie couldn't have been more charmingly candid about revealing what is a beautiful photograph of herself doing what comes naturally -- "I had the picture and I hope you are brave enough to show it," she told George. "It's the end of my career." There has been a report that when Julie appeared earlier on The View, she wasn't allowed to show the pic. But she did talk hilariously to "the ladies" about breastpumping, while driving!

Strangely to me, when we put this photo up on HollywoodLife.com -- we had some immediate emails -- imploring us to take it down.

"It's offensive," said one. "It's too shocking," said another.

But why? Why is a photo of a mom breastfeeding -- something that has now been confirmed by numerous studies, as the healthiest way to feed your baby -- either offensive or shocking?

To find out why, click to read more!

More From HollywoodLife.com

BREAKING NEWS! Gwen Stefani Spotted At OB/GYN -- She MUST Be Pregnant With Baby #3!

MUY GUAPA MICHELLE! First Lady Stuns in Electric Blue for White House State Dinner!

Must See TV! Jesse James Reveals Why He Cheated On Sandra!

 

Follow Bonnie Fuller on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bonniefuller

Comments

[lala lele]

11:04 PM on 05/21/2010

Let me first say I don't think there is anything wrong with feeding your baby whenever and wherever you want anyone with a problem needs to grow up....but I will also say I was taken aback when looking at her breastfeeding twins( I feel like there is always a new thing I learn about childbearing that makes it sound crazy) as a childless woman I just never thought about it being possible to breastfeed 2 babies at one time YOU GO!!!

BTW Bonnie a rare intelligent essay congrats!!!

[gayleg]

07:54 AM on 05/21/2010

That's why we have 'em!

[Romeover]

07:45 AM on 05/21/2010

"Why is a photo of a mom breastfeeding -- something that has now been confirmed by numerous studies, as the healthiest way to feed your baby -- either offensive or shocking?"

To a great many people in this country, the human body is offensive and shocking. Why? I can only surmise that they were taught that attitude from early childhood. I suspect that this attitude is closely correlated with the belief that we have souls that will be judged by a harsh and puritanical Lord.

[th3sk3ptic]

06:13 AM on 05/21/2010

if she would remove the babies and show just the breast then I wont be offended

[gayleg]

07:55 AM on 05/21/2010

This is exactly why people are offended by breast feeding.

[Romeover]

01:52 AM on 05/22/2010

Too true. The titillation Americans feel in response to the human body is just the other face of shame.

[sydneymoon]

05:25 AM on 05/21/2010

The ignorance. People want to liken breastfeeding to urinating and defecation. Get a grip.

[ragtag]

07:53 AM on 05/21/2010

Everybody poops - if they're still alive...

[Romeover]

01:56 AM on 05/22/2010

You're right, Sydney. There is no comparison between breastfeeding and those other unmentionable processes. After all, breastfeeding is natural.

[diogeneslives]

02:22 AM on 05/21/2010

Defecation is natural too, don't need any pictures though.

[AntigoneRisen]

01:55 AM on 05/21/2010

Well, the cultural norm is that breasts are tantalizing sexual zones, and we have extremely odd, and antiquated, ideas about the display of women's bodies in the US.

[Redheaded Mama]

11:53 PM on 05/20/2010

i wonder if people complain this much when there are half naked HOT men and women posted on here?

( . Y . ) breastfeeding rocks!!!!

[sydneymoon]

05:27 AM on 05/21/2010

Yes it does.

[sydneymoon]

11:17 PM on 05/20/2010

I don't think the photo was offensive at all. Kinda cute. I would try to breastfeed before going out, but sometimes that did not work. I was discreet in public and I doubt anyone really was aware.

[Blues02]

10:50 PM on 05/20/2010

Good lord. The moment a child is attached to breasts it's considered "obscene". I understand that it can be shocking for some people who are not used to seeing it but really? They are just breasts and they are doing what they are supposed to do. There are many places in the world where a woman breastfeeding in public is not considered weird or obscene. Shocking I know.

Also calling a woman breastfeeding in public "entitled" or "inconsiderate" is hilarious. Sounds like more people feel entitled to tell a woman how to breastfeed than there are woman actually breastfeeding in public.

[SAGMUN]

09:32 PM on 05/20/2010

In the 1930s and '40s women, with none of that under-the- blanket, breast- fed their babies, They did this while visiting family, friends, movies and sitting on park benches.

Be not too harsh on deplorer of public breast feeding for they have inner their demons to nourish and have forgotten that Mary breast fed her baby in the manger.

[mauigrrl]

09:27 PM on 05/20/2010

I don't feel it's appropriate to breastfeed in public. Go to the car or cover up. I consider it a very private moment not to be shared with the public. Not a prude, just don't really want to see it. Lately, some moms don't have any consideration for those of us who don't have kids, and think they are entitled to do whatever they want, wherever they want. It's just being considerate, plain and simple. And, if you don't like men leering at your full and swollen breasts, don't show them. Men are men, and it's in their genes to gawk at boobs. I know all my guy friends would love to have a breastfeeding mom in their midst. They wouldn't even try to hide their fascination.

[emhellmer]

10:58 PM on 05/20/2010

Sounds like you're the one wih the problem...not the mother and baby. Maybe you should go to the car or cover your eyes when a woman starts to breastfeed? Just because you don't have kids doesn't mean that you don't need to be considerate of them...after all, they are our future, even if all they are to you right now is an eyesore.

I remember noticing men gawk at me when I breastfed, desperate to catch I glimpse of nip, I imagine. At first I was surprised, because I thought that b00bs automatically lost their appeal once a baby was attached to them. I was wrong. I didn't get upset by it though...after all, I was the one pulling my b00b out in public...and men are indeed men, as you say.

[Redheaded Mama]

11:24 PM on 05/20/2010

do you feed your kids in public?

BTW it is a law that we can breastfeed in public. You are right we dont have any consideration for you ADULTS who can control how you think vs. our babies who have the right and the need to eat to survive.

this is about our babies.........not about you or how you feel about it.

[helgathewitch]

09:21 PM on 05/20/2010

The problem is that breasts can not be perceived as sexual and natural at the same time. Women want to be sexy and flaunt them but then they also want to breast feed in public. It just doesn't work together.

[Wakemewhenitsallover]

09:38 PM on 05/20/2010

Isn't sex natural? Mothers have sex, give birth, feed baby, have sex....... If it didn't all work together we wouldn't be here!!

[mauigrrl]

09:54 PM on 05/20/2010

Yes, sex is natural, but done undercover. You must remember that in your analogy above the only thing men hear is "have sex," not "give birth," or "feed baby." It's just the way they are wired. Can't help it.

[Blues02]

10:09 PM on 05/20/2010

Why can they not be natural and sexual at the same time? They ARE natural and sexual. The problem is that people only view breasts as sexual body parts.

[Wakemewhenitsallover]

08:44 PM on 05/20/2010

If breastfeeding in public was more common and not criticised then more mothers might consider it as a normal and convenient way to feed their children. Mothers do not want to be socially isolated because they are breastfeeding. If you have older children are you going to confine them to the house? Breastfeeding in public is very convenient. It means you can take your children to the park, anywhere, and carry on a normal life - no worries about fixing up a bottle. I breastfed 3 babies in public without any censure and I didn't expose any breast anyway. The only meaning of yummy mummy back in the 90s was in the context of a hungry baby. It's not sexy, or sacred - just a very nice way to feel connected with your humanity and nourish your baby.

[Puller58]

08:44 PM on 05/20/2010

Here's the deal: Feminists and other groups savage men for being horndogs. Now women want to be able to breastfeed in public. I'd like some consistancy. If I go to a strip club, will the feminists condemn me while praising public breastfeeders?