There have been long discussions about this magazine cover on my "mommy boards" and the conclusion that was reached wasn't about the image itself (though some comments ranged from the mom looking aggressive and wanting conflict with this image, as well as comments that it wasn't a natural breastfeeding position), it was more about more "mommy wars" associated with parenting topics and the feeling of superiority over moms who don't espouse the specific topic/lifestyle.
Virtually all articles that come out about parenthood, particularly motherhood, are slanted heavily toward one pole, with little consideration for the other side. It pits mom against mom - the breastfeeder vs. formula feeder, cosleeper vs. crib sleeper, Stay at home mom vs. working mom. Rarely ever is there an article that says "Hey! Do how YOU feel is right - if you don't feel right doing it, don't! Who cares what anyone else does with their kid?"
As for the photo itself - the United States has one of the worst breastfeeding rates in the industrialized nations. While it might not give normalcy to extended breastfeeding a 3 year old, if it can give a bit of normalcy to breastfeeding to a year, more power to them. And in the end, Time is just there to sell magazines, and this cover will do just that.
Signed, a new mom who formula feeds, has her kid sleeping in a crib after 2 months in a cosleeper, loves her baby carriers, will go back to work and put the kid in daycare and really tries hard not to care what anyone does in raising their kids as long as it's not criminal. (the last part is hard to do but I strive towards it).
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