Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ramona Sarsgaard out Friday evening, nurse in public
Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, 29, took a walk down by the Hudson River on Friday evening with daughter Ramona, 7 months, and friends, stopping to nurse and feed their children dinner in a nearby park. Ramona rides in a Silver Cross Linear Freeway single stroller in Salsa ($600).
Note from Danielle: There has been a little controversy over the photo of Maggie breastfeeding Ramona. Some people have felt that it was intrusive of paparazzi to photograph her nursing Ramona, while others interpreted Maggie’s nursing in public (aka NIP) as a sign that she didn’t mind being photographed doing something completely normal and natural. Just a few people were bothered that Maggie didn’t cover up more. The majority of feedback we’ve received on this photo is wonderfully positive. However, on other sites (aside from Mothering and TheBabyWearer), it’s the opposite.
Please remember when you post a comment that we only publish comments that are respectful of each other, celebrities, celebrity babies, and us. Comments are getting nasty- if you want to argue with someone, email them.
Photos by Pacific Coast News and WENN.
Thanks to CBB reader Amy.
Media coverage of this post on other sites:
Tags: Breastfeeding, Hudson River, Maggie Gyllenhaal, New York, nursing, NYC, Ramona Sarsgaard
- Posted on May 5, 07 at 10:47AM
- Permalink
- 147 Comments
May 5th, 2007 at 11:50 am
I know I’m propably going to get blasted for saying this, but I’ll say it regardless. I don’t have a problem with mothers nursing in public-if they do in an inconspicuous manner that doesn’t draw attention to themselves. That said, I think Maggie is completely overexposed in that photo. There is no need for her to have her breast as visible as it is; she could have easily covered up with her sweater and still nursed Ramona. If I were in that park walking by and saw her that way, I would feel very uncomfortable. I also think it was extremely tacky of someone to take a photo of her that way and post it on the Internet.
May 5th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
YAY! One more step to normalizing breastfeeding!
May 5th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I’m so psyched to see a celeb publicly breastfeeding, esp. Maggie who I just adore!
May 5th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Wow, that’s so beautiful, she looks so content!
May 5th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I love her
I think its great she is not afraid to do whats natural and normal and does not feel the need to hide it!
May 5th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Wow, how cool, she’s breastfeeding. Way to go, Maggie!
May 5th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
This is such a beautiful picture of Maggie and her sweet nursling!
May 5th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
I think it’s great that she is not afraid to breastfeed her baby in the park! However, I don’t like that someone took her picture, it might make her feel less comfortable with feeding in public and that would be a shame.
May 5th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
What a wonderful image of a celebrity breastfeeding!!! Well done Maggie! As a fellow breastfeeding mum i think it is our duty to get rid of the stigma attached to breastfeeding in public by doing it. I think it’s FANTASTIC that the picture is on the internet!
In the UK it is National Breastfeeding Awareness Week 13th to 19th May and it is exactly images like this of people whom the public admire that go a long way to increasing the rates of breastfeeding mothers. Yay for Maggie and what a little cutie Ramona is!
May 5th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Maggie is perfect the way she is nursing, but shame on the person that took the picture and shame on you CBB for posting it. Maggie deserves to be left alone nursing her child.
May 5th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
WTG Maggie!!!! Keep up the good work mama!!!!
May 5th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
It doesn’t offend me to see someone breastfeeding in public. That is what they are there for. If it bothers you, look away!!
It does offend me that someone took a picture of this and posted it online. It is a personal thing that should not be photographed!!
That said, Maggie knows she’s being followed and snapped by the paparazzi so she probably did this on purpose. No doubt she wants other women to know breastfeeding is normal, healthy and nothing to be ashamed of.
I’ve had friends leave a roomful of women to breastfeed their babies. That seems unnatural to me – we all have the same equipment!!
May 5th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I love this photo even though I get that it was a personal thing and the photo shouldn’t be taken. But can I say WHAHOOOO Maggie. Its beautiful and its nice to see someone b/fing baby who is over 6 months and remind people how NATURAL it is.
May 5th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Lauren, I agree with you completely. I think Maggie could have covered up a little more. Being a celebrity, she has to realize that there are cameras everywhere.
I have nothing against breastfeeding in general, but I have to admit, I’m not entirely comfortable seeing it in public. When I was bf’ing my twins, the only person I allowed in the room was hubby.
I considered bf’ing to be sort of a personal thing. I wouldn’t want to give birth with a whole pile of family and friends looking on either because there again, it’s a private thing for me.
And to the person who took a picture of Maggie breastfeeding (and quite obviously zoomed in for a close-up), that’s just wrong.
May 5th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Though I find it to be completely offensive that someone snapped Maggie while she was feeding Ramona, it’s fabulous to at least see a high-profile woman breastfeeding her baby. Lauren, I cannot imagine, as a woman, how this could possibly offend you. She’s feeding her child. Grow up. It’s people like you that make breastfeeding taboo and make other breastfeeding moms feel uncomfortable for doing what is, in reality, the most natural and healthy thing you can do for your child. I don’t mean to flame, but women should be supportive of other women (especially when they’re doing something that takes as much committment as breastfeeding does) – not alienating. The fact of the matter is that it’s sometimes physically uncomfortable to nurse in public without the aid of a pillow, and sometimes your breast shows more than you’d like it to. I assure you her intent was not to show off her ta-tas while feeding her daughter.
May 5th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Obviously Maggie knows the paparazzi are taking pictures of her, and she obviously views breastfeeding how it should be viewed…as a natural, normal thing not to be ashamed of. My friends and I all breastfeed our children wherever we are and don’t get all freaked out about covering up. She’s not sitting in the middle of a mall doing it, she is at a park with friends so it’s not like she is throwing it in everyone’s faces. Seeing this picture makes me like Maggie even more…it’s so refreshing seeing a public figure who is “normalizing” breasfeeding.
May 5th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Now I love her forever! Breastfeeding is not a personal thing it is a NORMAL thing. Women should not be made to feel inferior for nursing their babies anywhere it would be appropriate to bottlefeed.
May 5th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Breasts are for feeding a baby. Itis humans who sexualize them. If someone has a problem with their children seeing that in public, they should have been taught from day one what their purpose is for. If they were not taught they were taboo objects, there would be no reactions from children.
May 5th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
I am currently living in Buenos Aires where it is completely normal to breastfeed in public. Women will breastfeed in a restaurant and the waiter will look them in the eyes and talk like nothing is going on. Living here and seeing this has helped me appreciate more how normal and beautiful is actually is. People look at the mothers with content looks because they are happy and they’re taking care of their child. I love this picture of Maggie.
May 5th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Way to go Maggie! What a gorgeous picture. Pure sweetness.
Furthermore, what are people seeing that I’m not? With Ramona attached, you’re seeing about as much skin as a very low cut shirt.
May 5th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Woo hoo Maggie! You go girl! Way to nourish your child!
She is showing about as much boob as women who wear skimpy bikinis but at least Maggie is doing something useful. If it bothers you, then don’t look!
May 5th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
I breastfeed in public all the time but try to show as little skin as possible, but sometimes, what you’re wearing doesn’t allow you to be discreet nor does your baby! I was nursing Anya today at my cousin’s bat mitzvah and wearing a wrap dress so my entire top boob was exposed. I tried to cover up with a napkin but she kept yanking it off.
I think breastfeeding is very special and intimate but I don’t think it needs to be private or not photographed. Maggie isn’t a dummy- she’s been a celeb long enough to know that she will be photographed whenever she leaves her home (or is forced to, like when paparazzi called in a fire so she’d have to evacuate) and she could have covered up if she felt it was so private, but she didn’t and that speaks louder than words. Bravo to Maggie for letting the world know that breastfeeding is normal.
May 5th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
that’s so great to see! Much less noticeable than some of the wonky contraptions people are hawking nowadays in the name of modesty (!?) What a role model I’d love to share with my children. So great for her kids, and I hear she cloth diapers, too. Sounds like a perfect celebrity who will take the time to provide what’s best for her daughter and puts green activism into practice.
May 5th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I just want to reiterate that I am not at all “offended” by BFIP. It’s just simply something I’ve never been comfortable.
When I had my twins, I was sure I would breastfeed until they were at least a year old and didn’t think I would have any issues or hang-ups, but I had problems bf’ing and then dealt with a VERY pushy lactation consultant who said things like “If you breastfeed, your daughter will be less likely to get cervical cancer”…. all this while I was struggling like hell to be successful. I had wicked engorgement, cracked nipples, etc. (and twins who liked to bite!)
I’ve often wondered if that’s why I got so uncomfortable with bf’ing afterwards. It was an unpleasant experience, and one that made me (and still to this day) feel guilty for not following through.
That said, if I ever have another baby, I would definitely breastfeed. Maybe I would have more luck this time!
May 5th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Men are gonna luv this pic
May 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
If you’re so uncomfortable about seeing a mother breadfeeding then that’s your issue, not the mother’s. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
May 5th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Beautiful!
What a lovely picture
May 5th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Awesome!!! How refreshing to see a celeb in a positive manner. Not drunk, not driving with the baby on her lap but doing something natural and normal. Kudos to her for being a mom first,for putting her babies needs first—Papparazzi be darned!!! Definitely two thumbs up. You go girl…….
May 5th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
BRAVO MAGGIE!
Danielle said exactly what I was thinking!
May 5th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Yay Maggie G! I already liked her but now I have another reason. She is setting a great example of how normal breastfeeding really is in the public eye. So cool.
May 5th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
They are so beautiful.
It warms my heart to see such a loving, natural moment.
Good for both of them
May 5th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
I thought that attacking other commenters just because their opinion is different than yours wasn’t allowed here? It’s one of the reasons why I like CBB. Regardless of what my opinion is, it’s supposed to be ok to comment on it without being shamed for having it. I feel sorry for a few of the posters on this one that seem to need to defend their individual views. Beautiful pic of Maggie & Ramona.
May 5th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
I am not sure where I stand, but I am here to defend (though she doesn’t really need it) the other Lauren. I’m all for bf-ing. I had a baby and thought I knew enough but when the time came, it didn’t happen. I feel bad, I regret, but I move on. Anyways! If she views it as personal then whatever. Yeah, it’s natural- boobs are for feeding, but vaginas are for birth and people don’t want to see that in the park. People can be uncomfortable over lots of things, like showing ankles. IT’s just how you are. Deal!
May 5th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I don’t think she’s overexposed. I think she’s just trying to live her life as normally as possible, and yes, she knows the paps are there and that they’re going to do what they want no matter how much she may not like it. But why is she supposed to stop breastfeeding her child just because of them? She can’t help that some photogs are just greedy mongrels. Her baby is hungry, so she’s going to feed her. It’s not illegal.
And she’s not intentionally showing off anything, though I think comparing this to showing off vaginas isn’t the same. And it’s not like she just plopped her entire breast out. If someone has a problem with it, just don’t look…or bite your tongue and move on.
May 5th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Wow what a beautiful picture!
I wish I could have been that open about breastfeeding in public. I was always kind of shy about it.
May 5th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Just beautiful! Way to go, Maggie! Great role model for nursing mothers.
May 6th, 2007 at 12:23 am
I think that pic is adorable! Overexposed?? Have you seen Maggie in “Secretary” or “Sherry Baby”?? Maggie isn’t showing anything that most of us haven’t already seen before. It will always bother me that people are “uncomfortable” seeing a breast feeding a child, but it’s ok to see one bared sexually in a movie! We need more people like Maggie to try to reverse this ‘breasts are only sexual’ way of thinking…
May 6th, 2007 at 1:01 am
I guess the whole pumping and carrying bottles or finding a mother’s room thing is out now huh.
May 6th, 2007 at 1:15 am
YAYAYAYAY! GO MAGGIE! She’s setting a great example for all nursing motherS! I love her even more now! =)
May 6th, 2007 at 1:17 am
Audrey, it seems counterproductive to me to bother bringing extra stuff like a bottle and pumped milk when I have everything I need on me already – and at the right temperature. I pump milk so my husband and my nanny can feed my daughter when I’m working, not to give myself extra work when I go out!
Re: mother’s rooms, if someone is more comfortable going there, that’s great for them. My mindset is that I can nurse my girl any place a formula or EBF-fed child could have a bottle. I show even less breast than Maggie as I usually pull one side of my shirt up, and all I’ve gotten (to my face, anyway!) are a few kind comments from other moms and grandmas.
May 6th, 2007 at 2:05 am
I think that it is beautiful. Its normal, it’s natural, whatever. If it bothers you to see a mother breastfeeding her infant, then how do you feel when you see nudity in a film? Or in art? Are you uncomfortable? Do you think that they should hang blankets or post it notes over breasts or genitals in paintings? Are we stuck thinking that a breast is only a sexual object? It is totally ridiculous! There has been so much bashing lately of breastfeeding mothers not covering up!!
“EEEEWWWW!! A BREAST!!!”
Aren’t we all women?
May 6th, 2007 at 9:56 am
There are many places where mothers rooms are not available. Even where there are mothers rooms they are not always very sanitary. I would much rather a woman nurse on a park bench then in a room that has less than sanitary conditions. I know people argue that if there is not a mother’s room available that women should take their baby to a restroom. I don’t eat in public restrooms and I would not expect a woman to feed her baby in a restroom. A close friend of mine has a baby and she often does the same thing I did many years ago when my girls were babies, she goes to the car to nurse. My poor friend had someone make a rude comment to her the first time she attempted to breastfeed in public, now she does not even want to try it again. I think it is so sad that people (especially other women) view breasts as sexual and think there is something “wrong” with breastfeeding in public.
May 6th, 2007 at 9:59 am
What a beautiful picture! Maggie is doing such a wonderful thing for her baby! She’s a TERRIFIC mama!! Way to go Maggie! I’ve been just as exposed while NIP if my shirt made it tough to NIP.
I figure if people don’t like it, they can put a blanket over THEIR head! I’m not going to sufficate my baby in the name of ‘discretion’ LOL
May 6th, 2007 at 10:48 am
I am all for breastfeeding but come on to have your pictures all over the internet is a complete invasion and we only buy into it when we see them here. I can only imagine how I would feel if it were me, can a girl get a little peace? I personally carried a hooter hider with me wherever I went but if the photogs were after me I would really have one with me. I think sometimes you wish you were just an average person when you have a baby and are a celebrity.
May 6th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
If I was Maggie I’d be pissed to know someone took my picture in that manner…then again she does know that paparazzi follows her so maybe she doesn’t really care.
May 6th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
To comment on the posters comparing a breast exposed to a nudity scene in a movie.
People make a choice to see a movie that contains sexual content. People don’t necessarily choose to go out to a park and see a person exposing their breast in public.
Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against the picture. She’s a mother feeding her child. no different then a mother bottle feeding her baby. However that being said I don’t like when people publicly do it in restaurants. One time I was eating at a diner and this women sitting right across from me just whipped out her breast (fully exposed) and started nursing her child. I couldn’t avoid it. I was facing her and my mother was sitting across. I tried my best to not look up at her at all but it was very hard and quite frankly I want to enjoy my meal without seeing other peoples body parts! She could of covered up the best she could but chose not to.
It’s Maggies right to breastfeed Ramona whenever and wherever but it does make people fairly uncomfortable at certain places. That’s just my opinion. No need to comment if you disagree bc I am sure many of you will!
May 6th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
I completely agree, J.M. I already stated that I don’t have a problem with nursing in public. However, I firmly believe that there is a polite, proper way to do it and that overexposure of a breast in a public place is inappropriate.
Quite frankly, I think it’s very rude for nursing mothers to be so dismissive of other peoples’ feelings and tell them to “grow up” for not wanting to watch a woman they don’t know take out her breasts in a public setting. Talk about a complete lack of respect for other peoples’ feelings. At least if someone said, “I know it makes others uncomfortable, but I feel nursing in public is best for me and my baby,” I would understand and respect her viewpoint. Instead, I see a lot of “I’m going to nurse my kid and to hell with anyone else who doesn’t like it and has problems with themselves!” here. It’s not all about you.
I also agree with Lauren B. Yes, breasts are nursing. Vaginas are for giving birth. So I guess all that fuss about Britney walking around without underwear was a complete “overreaction” as well.
One final thing-my godson’s mother used to gently cover his head with a blanket if she had to nurse him in public because she didn’t feel comfortable exposing herself, and my godson couldn’t have cared less. So the drama about “suffocating babies” is just that.
May 6th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
yay! go Maggie!
May 6th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
YEAH Maggie! I think it great to see a celeb mom breastfeeding her baby in public. It is ashame that our culture has made it so uncomfortable for many people. The more moms nurse in public the more normal it will become.
I have breastfed both my daughters and still am nursing my 15 month old. At first I was so concerned about covering up and being polite. Now I’ve realized the reality of breastfeeding in public and it isn’t always that easy. I still do the best I can to be discreet but if I show some boob and you don’t like it you can look away!
May 6th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
To those who think that she is overexposing herself in public I say to you “how dare you over expose your bottle in public”. To me when you say how dare she over expose herself while breast-feeding it sounds just as ridiculous, but even more ignorant. It is people like this that keep the percentage of breast-feeding mothers down, due to shame and inconvenience of doing it in public. We the in America have so over sexualized the woman’s breast that it is unbelievable to me. They have a purpose and she is using them for their purpose so why should she or any woman feel the need to hide that in shame. I applaud her and hope that this picture wasn’t taken in a private moment that she didn’t expect to be shared. And if she did do it knowing that she could possibly end up having her photographed breast-feeding her child, then I applaud her because maybe this will make another mother feel a little more comfortable doing it in public despite the many ignorant people their are in the world.
May 6th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
If it offends you to see this, then don’t look at it. Just as people do make a choice to see movies with sexualized nudity and violence, you are making a choice to look at the photo. It is as simple as that.
May 6th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
I think it’s great that Maggie is nursing her child in public. But I’m disgusted with the people who took her photograph. It was not taken in the spirit of promoting acceptance in BF, but simply to show a little tit and sell to the highest bidder.
May 6th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Love this pic – women should be able to nurse their babies whenever and however they feel like it.
May 6th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
WTG Maggie! What a beautiful moment and picture.
It’s so great to see someone in the mainstream NIP especially a celebrity.
if you honestly support NIP then you support the breastfeeding mom no matter how she chooses to breastfeed covered or not.It’s not about the general public it’s about mom and babe.
May 6th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Go Maggie! You’re one heck of a mama!!! I hope to be in your footsteps one day!!!
May 6th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
To those who think she overexposed her breast, take a good look at the quality of the up close photo. You can tell that it was on a very high x zoom, meaning the photog was nowhere near her. How do you know she wasn’t in a secluded area? Also, that was just one tiny piece of the whole scene, how do you know she didn’t go on to cover up more? I agree that picture NEVER should have been published, and shame on the photo agency that allowed it to happen. I’m headed to their website right now to pass my feelings along to them…not that it will do any good, but it won’t do any harm.
May 6th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
If you look at the pic; it’s pretty blurry. Seems to me like a paparazzi took her photo with a telephoto lens from FAR away.
)
She probably was being discreet–there are people in front of her and who knows what else around her to kind of keep her private.
But it’s the person who was taking her picture who got in that close to make it appear that she was very out in the open.
That being said, I agree with the other posters who are saying so what!
But I just thought I’d point out that she probably was trying to be discrete in the first place.
I’d definitely rather see someone breastfeeding than someone’s pantyless crotch
May 6th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
I love that she is not trying to cover the entire baby and her breast while feeding Ramona. I was just at dinner tonight and was so frustrated trying to cover up while I nursed. I wish it were more socially acceptable to nurse with a little skin showing.
May 6th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
There’s a difference between breastfeeding discreetly in public and whipping out a boob for all to see. And by the way, a bottle is not someone’s naked body part.
I’m all for breastfeeding, but if you’re not at least trying to be discreet, then you’re showing a lack of good taste. Flaunting yourself for the sake of trying to make a point that breastfeeding is best for baby, only turns people off and hurts your cause.
May 6th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
CC-I was thinking the same thing. What a shame it is that people cannot share their opinions without being blasted for it.
And “we strive to educate but never lecture”-
that area could use some work!
Danielle’s note: Can you give us an example of lecturing?
May 6th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
Diana – she is not flaunting herself, trying to make a point or trying to offend others. She is FEEDING HER CHILD. Period.
Rock on, Maggie.
May 6th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
As a mother of four, I breast fed all. (avg. 2 1/2yrs). The first one I was so consumed with covering up and not “offending” those whom thought it as improper. I made myself stressed. The 2nd child came and I was more relaxed this time. I wouldn’t leave a room when baby was hungry. By the time when the third and fourth baby came I had the words “Have food will travel” printed on our t’s.
At Disney World I was not about to walk miles (seemed like miles with a crying hungry baby and breast leaking) to the nursing station. I must have rode every ride at all the parks at least 2x-3x (safe ones). I believe they must have me on surveillance camera nursing. If someone got a glimpse than oh well.
I only wish that i had the support and confidence that Maggie has with my first, that she obviously has with her first. It took me 10 years the from when the third baby came after the first one was born that I felt confident in myself. Now I help others with breastfeeding. If she is comfortable nip no one should have a say. It is her right. If you don’t like it, than don’t look.
May 7th, 2007 at 12:14 am
To all the people who have similar comments such as this:” then again she does know that paparazzi follows her so maybe she doesn’t really care” Do they follow her 24/7? I doubt that. Yes she knows that it is a high probability that paps are there but they aren’t there ALL the time. To make that assumption that maybe she doesn’t really care is ridiculous. Yes you make the choice and she did to feed her child in public (but she seemed to be “exposing” herself to few people there was someone in front of her) doesn’t mean you want everyone to look at you or you want a picture to be taken of you. Surely she could feel that “oh well they got a shot of me” or ” omg how ruthless can these paps be and my god why is there a bounty on my head even more so now that I have a child?” This goes to show how crazy this celebrity obsession is that there is such a bounty on thier heads, that they can’t do normal things without being picked apart. It makes it extremely difficult to raise children and nurture relationships in these kinds of cicumstances. Yet very rarely do they recieve sympathy or understanding because “they bring it on themselves” Damned if they do damned if they don’t. It all stems from jealousy that they are living that life and we are not(most times it isn’t better then the ones with live ourselves). We the general public feel it is ok for their pictures to be taken and for us to comment on their lives as if we know them. Why can’t they be left alone? God knows none of us would like to be stalked 24/7.Anyways If she wanted to be a poster child of breastfeeding she’d make a statement about it but the bottom line is: I feel this picture shouldn’t have been published, yes she was in public but that doesn’t mean this special moment is for all to see. She is feeding her child that is what they are made for lol. Just because you feel one way of feeding is better than the other doesn’t mean you need to bash others or make assumptions. It is nice to see that most on here are happy to see a “positive” image. I just kinda feel for her not knowing someone was being this intrusive of a special moment between mother and child not mother,child and the world!(Sorry for the long post)
May 7th, 2007 at 7:59 am
First, I can’t believe that readers are attacking eachother over this! That’s not right! In any case, I think that the way she chose to breastfeed in public is sloppy and rude! In my opinion she looks like trash! You would just whip off your short in the middle of a park, so why do you think its ok to show all because you are “feeding”? There are more discreet ways of doing things!
May 7th, 2007 at 9:04 am
I find it more offensive to see some chic with a barely there bathing suit than to see a mother nurturing her child as nature intended. She’s LESS exposed than those at the beach wearing a 2 piece bathing suit top! However, that is perfectly ok to see women on TV hardly covering themselves with their ARM with their stomach completely exposed etc etc.. oh but since it is in a sexual manner, it’s ok. Right? Come on! I don’t get what the big deal is? WTG Maggie!! You go girl!
May 7th, 2007 at 9:06 am
This is such a beautiful picture. I think this is awesome for nursing moms everywhere!
Erika
May 7th, 2007 at 9:37 am
I don’t have a problem with breastfeeding in public, but I’d really prefer if she put a blanket or a shawl over herself while doing it! I’m all for breastfeeding but I’m guessing bystanders/passerbys do not want to see her boob!
May 7th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Suggesting that Maggie “cover up” a bit more seems ridiculous to me. She’s probably shown a lot more than that in some of her movies- I know I’ve seen a lot more than that while walking through the mall or down the street! Granted, you can choose to watch the movies or not, but it’s a rare case when someone admonishes a pedestrian for showing too much skin. Short skirts and cleavage-baring shirts are just fine, but when a mom puts a baby to her breast, heaven forbid she’s not covered head to toe in a sheet.
May 7th, 2007 at 9:49 am
GORGEOUS PICTURE!! It’s beautiful, natural and amazing that a celebrity / woman has chosen to embrace something so pure and wonderful. Breastfeeding shouldn’t be seen as a taboo and inappropriate.
Way to go Maggie!!!
May 7th, 2007 at 9:49 am
I’m so happy to see this picture! Breastfeeding is a completely natural, normal, and vital part of the well-being of our babies! I have no problem with NIP and am always thrilled when people in the public eye feed their children as they see fit!
I’m surprised that so many people are offended at how much of her breast is showing – she’s just doing what needs to be done to feed her baby. If you don’t like it, don’t look!
May 7th, 2007 at 9:50 am
the point is simple… any place where you can feed a baby with a bottle or spoon, you can feed a baby with your breast.
breastfeeding is just that… FEEDING your baby.
She’s a new mom and still learning the most discreet ways to nurse her baby… still, she’s not being out of line… it’s all natural.
She isn’t sitting there with both breasts hanging out…
Let the poor girl feed her baby and celebrate her comfort in feeding her child where and when it is needed.
May 7th, 2007 at 9:56 am
Breasts are for feeding babies. If my child is hungry, his feelings are the only ones I care one bit about. Why should I care if an uptight person has a problem with a baby eating? That’s there hang up and yes, they should grow up. Maybe more people would feed babies the natural way, rather than synthetic garbage if they saw more nursing in public. As for Brit’s vagina, if there was a BABY coming out of it, I’d have no problem seeing it on television or pictures. That comparison is as ridiculous as comparing a nursing mother to a stripper. No wonder the breastfeeding rates in this country are so appalling!
May 7th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Wow… So many absurd comments. She is feeding her child. That is what breasts are for. I would never nurse my child in a restroom, and none of my 3 children liked being covered up while they were nursing, they would get hot and end up spitting up quite a bit. Some babies will tolerate blankets thrown over their heads, most won’t. As far as people not liking to see NIP while you are tyring to eat, does that mean I have the right to ask you to out a blanket over your head or to eat in the restroom if you are chewing with your mouth open or something? I find it shocking that people say they don’t want to see nursing while they are eating. If you don’t want to see an innocent child eating regardless of the time or place, then don’t look. I completely understand comparing finding NIP to bottlefeeding. It is eating all the same, and if a woman can stick a bottle in their child’s mouth (whether it be EBM or formula) then a woman should be able to NIP. Guess what, some babies don’t take bottles. One of my children would vomit everytime she had a bottle and another one wouldn’t even take a bottle. I guess nursing babies should starve so people don’t have to see a little bit of skin that isn’t even as much as they would see at the beach. Honestly!
May 7th, 2007 at 10:19 am
What a beautiful photo. I love it! I’m so glad she felt comfortable enough to nurse in public. It’s wonderful to see someone famous unafraid to do what her daughter needs and what her breasts were made for.
Yay Maggie!! From one nursing mother to another – THANK YOU!
May 7th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Maybe she did it knowing the Paps were around and taking pictures. I’ve already seen her boobs quite a bit in the movie “Sherry Baby.” LOL More people really need to lighten up about BFIP. Mothers are simply feeding their infants the way nature designed it to be. She is hardly parading around topless and saying, “look at me.” Why is there no outcry when the bottles are plainly visible?
May 7th, 2007 at 10:38 am
You know what’s offensive? People sticking phthalate laced plastic in their baby’s mouth, feeding them cow’s milk amended with synthetic vitamins and corn syrup. Formula?! It’s not a “formula”. It’s a milk substitute. If it were a formula, scientifically derived, it would be the same for every manufacturer. It’s not. They are trying to get closer and closer to human milk, but they are so far away from all of the good things that are being discovered every day about breast milk. They still are finding more and more every day.
Would your babies have starved 100 years ago? No. You would have nursed them. You really can’t produce breast milk?! The number of women who say they can’t do it is astounding to me. How did we survive as a species? Of course you may have problems and then…YOU GET HELP!!
Way to go Maggie. Way to nourish your child.
We are mammals after all. It’s not really about choosing to live naturally. You have a baby, you lactate, you feed them.
May 7th, 2007 at 10:56 am
I’m fine with people nursing in public but I don’t think it was very nice of the paps to take her picture. It’s an intimate moment like kissing someone or making love and I wouldn’t want my picture taken during that either! It’s private. But then again if she herself thought it should be a private moment then she should have covered up a bit. We’ve all seen her boobs before in some of the movies she’s in so what’s the big deal right? Maybe she’s ok with it and that’s fine. I hope she’s not offended and in turn discouraged from nursing.
May 7th, 2007 at 11:45 am
To all those who are offended by seeing a mother breastfeed–you need to ask yourselves WHY? It’s not sexual, people have been doing it since the dawn of time. There is obviously some sort of social brainwashing that made you feel this way. It’s not an uncommon opinion, but it is a little “off” IMO. America has got to be the only country that makes a big deal about it. Whenever I bfed my son in Europe, nobody blinked an eye.
I think the women who say you should cover your baby’s head with a blanket have obviously never tried to breastfeed a rowdy 6-12 month old baby. There’s no way my son would have let me put a blanket over his head during his meal. He was way too active and most babies that age are. They barely sit still for the feed, they aren’t going to lie down quietly with a blanket over their heads like newborns. Silly.
As for Maggie – I think it’s great that she feels comfortable enough to do this is public. A park is the perfect place to breastfeed. I don’t think it’s right for a photog to take personal shots of her like this and regardless of whether she knew she was being watched or whether she is modest or not, she probably would prefer to not have this photo posted everywhere.
May 7th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Good for her! Such a sweet picture.
May 7th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
I’m so confused.
How can women be offended by seeing a breast? We all have them, right?
And I may be in the minority but I don’t think it’s offensive that a picture was taken of Maggie breastfeeding and put on the internet. She’s nursing in public so obviously she’s not too concerned that showing a bit of breast is a big deal.
What I can’t wait for is to see her nursing her 2 or 3 year old in public. Now, that’s going to be great!! So far, I’ve only seen Carrie-Anne Moss nursing an older toddler.
Anyone else recall seeing a celeb nursing an older child in public?
May 7th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I agree that Maggie should feel comfortable nursing her baby in public. And I fully support her, but it makes me very sad to read something like lauradbg’s tirade against formula feeding. We should be supporting mothers, whether they choose to breastfeed their babies or not. We should not be condemning them for making a decision that maybe you didn’t make, but they made for their own reasons. You know what’s offensive? You going off on something that is a sensitive subject for a lot of mothers. Let’s support, not shame.
May 7th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Thank you Maggie for using your public image to provide further public acceptance for breastfeeding. I love it!! And you can’t see anything offensive and if you could who cares?
She is feeding her daughter the best available nutrition. She is an educated mother. One more reason to love Maggie Gyllenhal.
May 7th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Jane, I’m glad you fully support Maggie’s (and by inference every woman’s) right to breastfeed in public. That’s great and we are in agreement there. But, how is it supportive to BREASTFEEDING mothers to have formula samples sent home with them from the hospital after giving birth? How is it supportive of BREASTFEEDING women to say ad nauseum, “Breast is Best” when the truth of it is “Breast is Normal” It’s not that it is best, it is that that is the NORMAL physiological process of nourishing our young.
Formula was created as a replacement for breast milk for the very rare cases when the baby would starve otherwise (mother dies in childbirth or is ill or really can’t produce breast milk). It never, never, never was intended to replace breast milk.
When women choose to formula feed rather than breastfeed it is not an equivalent choice. They are not the same: immunologically, nutritionally, psychologically. I just feel like women are duped into thinking they can not do it, and “formula’s just as good!” It’s not. And women CAN breastfeed their babies. They really can. But, how is it supportive to BREASTFEEDING women to have Lactation Consultants in some maternity wards with just a few hours training, rather than full certification? Why do they not send women out of the hospital with La Leche League’s number to get support right away?
Why are there “nursing stations”? As if you need a special place to breastfeed your baby. Are there “bottle feeding stations”? Do you see the lack of support there for BREASTFEEDING moms?
Why are there still places anywhere where women are asked to leave if they’re breastfeeding their baby? Do you remember the woman who had to leave the airplane because she wouldn’t cover up while breastfeeding at the insistence of an offended airline attendant? When have you seen a blanket over a bottlefed baby’s head? Ridiculous, right?
Do you know that the average age of weaning worldwide is 4 years old. 4. 4!! It is only in this country that breastfeeding is seen as lewd and offensive. That is why I’m angry.
No. I’m not going to just support bottle feeding moms. Moms shouldn’t be battling other moms, but everything that is natural and strong in us shouldn’t be disparaged either. What is with WOMEN being offended by breastfeeding in public?
The truth of it is that very few women in this country breastfeed their children until age 1. A far smaller minority breastfeed to the World Health Organization’s recommended age of 2. Who is not getting support in this country?
Oh, and doctors are not taught about lactation as a normal part of their studies. Why in the world is that? The feeding, protecting and nourishing of our babies is not worthy of medical understanding? How supportive of BREASTFEEDING mothers is that?
A woman who has problems breastfeeding (in part because it’s not SEEN in our culture, so how would a new nervous mom know how to get a proper latch on, or how to hold the baby etc.) asks her doctor and gets his/her answer based on their personal understanding–NOT based on anything they learned in school about lactation. More often than not women are just plainly given BAD information. How is that supportive of BREASTFEEDING moms?
It may be that bottle feeding moms do feel guilty at giving their babies less than optimal nutrition. But you know what? The cultural norms, institutions and media ALL support bottle feeding over breastfeeding. They are all going out of their way to make bottle feeders feel that it is equivalent, and hey you tried your best it’s O.K.
I am countering that. It’s not O.K.
May 7th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Good for you Maggie and good for your baby too! To omuch boob exposed? WTF! I see more boob that that on the red carpet. Oh wait, its ok to see breasts as long as they are being sexualized.
May 7th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
While i think its GREAT, that Maggie feels comfortable enough to NIP, i dont think this photograph should of been taken, i think the papazarri crossed the line.
Anytime i see a nursing mom, it makes me proud that they can do this beautiful and natural thing, and put their child first, without the need to please everyone around them.
More people should be open to the 21st century and stop believing we live in the dark ages.
May 7th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Lauradbg!!
*bows and applauds*
My thoughts exactally. Kudos to maggie, i’m always blown away when a star is actually “caught” nursing past like a month old. they all seem to make commentary about how they are nursing, but so very few do for very long. And here all these women are, bashing her!
May 7th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Danielle:
You wanted an example of lecturing: laurabdg at 11ish and 3:16p today.
May 7th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
While I absolutely agree that it is wonderful that Maggie is breastfeeding Ramona, and while I have no problem with her breastfeeding in public, I do have to agree with those who have said, she should be more covered up. It is a very uncomfortable situation to have your kids at a public place and have to explain why a woman’s breast is hanging out. I know you see more than that in movies, but I don’t take my kids to those kind of movies, but I do take them to the park and expect that I don’t have to have a discussion with my 3 and 6 year olds about breasts. Yes, I agree they aren’t supposed to be a sexual thing, but a tool for feeding babies, but in our society today, boobs are a sexual thing and personally I don’t want my 10 year old son to see a woman’s breasts at the park or Disneyland or any other place that is child oriented. I breastfed in public, but always covered up. It was no big deal. My baby was happy, I was happy and no one walking by was staring at my boobs. I just think it is more tasteful to cover up a little.
May 7th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
It is great to see another NIPing mama!!!
As an actress, I’m sure she has exposed her breasts in a sexual way many times–it is good to see them being exposed for their actual biological purpose. I hope all those begging for discretion don’t watch the Oscars…I see more boob there than I do from nursing mothers.
May 7th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
My only issue with breastfeeding in public is that I don’t think it should be done around children. You’re pretty much dictating when people have to explain the concept of breasts to their children when you whip it out in front of them, and that is intrusive. Breastfeed all you want, I support it whole-heartedly, but please carry a little blanket or something when you are going to be around other people’s children…you are not the parents of the world, you don’t get to decide when they have to instill concepts of puberty and maturation into their children.
May 7th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
WTG Maggie! You are a hero for normalizing bfing- although obviously, American society has a long way to go.
May 7th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
By saying you don’t think that women should breastfeed where CHILDREN are going to be you are effectively cutting where a woman -presumable with children, or child- CAN feed her infant.
It’s not about when you explain breasts to your children. I have four children. None of them have EVER asked what breasts are for. Probably because they’ve all been breastfed and KNOW that is their purpose.
Yeah for Maggie, and YEAH for Ramona!
May 7th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
X: Although I respect your feelings, I personally prefer my children to see a woman nursing her child. Whether I like it or not, they are bombarded daily by images of women with their breasts displayed as a sexual focal point which I had a hard time explaining to my oldest. I have found that children are very curious, but usually all they say when I tell them what I’m doing is, “wow, cool, she’s eating her lunch!” or “she’s having some milk!”
I feel like we have become desensitized to that which surrounds us everyday (like ads, tv shows, movies, etc) and think it’s cool when my kids have a chance to see that breasts aren’t there to be sexual objects, but to feed a child.
Anyway, I say Go Maggie!
May 7th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
I say “yay!” A big step for nursing in public!!
May 7th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Good grief! Breastfeeding should not be done around children??? This is insanity.
I felt sad when I had to explain to my two oldest children that some babies drink artificial mama’s milk out of a bottle. They have grown up knowing that mamas make milk for babies. They know that milk is designed for babies just as a baby cow makes milk for its baby calf. I know they sensed that the baby drinking from a bottle is missing out on something.
And you know what, it is.
I will proudly nurse my toddler in public. Without covering up. This discussion has really inspired me to keep showing folks how babies are supposed to eat.
Thanks, ladies!
May 7th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Don’t breastfeed around children? Are you kidding me?
It’s adults that sexualize breasts, not children. Until you teach them otherwise, children see breasts as just another body part- like an elbow or a foot. Do you have to explain to your kids what an elbow is for?
It’s too late for breastfeeding to be the norm for my generation of parents. I can only hope and pray that my daughter will someday be able to nurse in public without having to worry about ignorant comments.
May 7th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
If you are worried about your child seeing a mother breastfeed because he/she may see an exposed breast, it’s YOUR fault for instilling the idea that breasts are sexual. YOU have warped your child, don’t try and blame anyone else.
Kudos to Maggie for bucking what’s “proper” and putting the needs of her child first! I may just have to go and rent me a couple of MG movies this weekend!
May 7th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I completely agree with Shay- it is only adults who have sexualized breasts. Children who have never been told that breasts are for daddy don’t have a problem with seeing breasts.
It’s like masturbation- young children naturally touch themselves- it is the adults who tell them they should not do it in public or that it’s wrong. Now I don’t mean to say that we should encourage everyone to masturbate in public, but I mean that children are naturally physically and visually curious and have no sense of inappropriateness or sexuality until WE ADULTS teach them. It is our choice to teach them that breasts are sexual.
It is so unfortunate that we lose sight of the natural purpose of breasts- they are to feed our young. Fun for daddy is a side benefit
It is ok for there to be two meanings. Why not teach your children that breasts=food even if you don’t feed them with yours?
I have nursed Anya in front of bottlefed toddlers and kids and they have only been curious, not turned on. They had probably never seen a baby being fed by a breast before and were fascinated. I let them stare, then they got bored, and walked away. Incidentally, the frequent reaction of other breastfed children’s reaction to my nursing Anya in front of them is to ask their mothers to nurse!
May 7th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Go Maggie G! What a lovely picture.
And I second what Pynki said. Breasts shouldn’t require any more explanation than hands or elbows or ankles.
May 7th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
To Lauren et al –
The only reason – and I mean the ONLY reason – that you think she should have covered up more is because of your own insecurities and unsureness about what breasts are for, and that is because of the twisted way breasts are depicted in the media and by both men and women in today’s society. Breasts are by definition designed to nurture infants. That is WHAT THEY ARE FOR. If they are there so that they can feed babies, why do they need to be covered up?
It is so disgusting that women feel like they need to cover up with a blanket to feed their babies. In Europe a woman wouldn’t even attract a second glance if she did this. Today, in the US, I can’t nurse my 3 month old in public without people staring at me like I’m from Jupiter. I am sick of people pointing and staring at me and I now just retreat to my car to do it there.
So bless Maggie for her ability to do what is natural. She has my respect.
May 7th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Beautiful! WTG Maggie!
May 7th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Lauradbg, I think your comments were a little over-the-top and frankly, insulting. If you’re pro-bf’ing, good for you. But don’t expect a warm reception when you attempt to ram your views down everybody’s throat.
May 7th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
I have seen more skin exposed on a Victoria Secret model than what Maggie is exposing. Why does no one take issue when Heidi Klum wears tassels and dental floss but so many people have a problem with a boob in a baby’s mouth?
Her daughter is beautiful and it’s awesome that she is still being breastfed. I, for one, think she should be viewed as a positive role model. Way to go Maggie! Ramona couldn’t be any sweeter.
May 7th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Lisa- you are very quick with your rude insults saying that parents are to blame for the way breasts are depicted. I have never said one negative word to my children about breasts – I have breasfed in front of them numerous times. It is society – breasts are covered up – they are not like “hands or elbows or ankles” as one comment suggested. Women do not walk around with their breasts hanging out, even in skimpy swimsuits, they are still covered, not hanging out like Maggie’s. It catches people by surprise because in the past, it hasn’t been done. I think society is changing and more and more women are breastfeeding and I think it is great that that is becoming the norm. But for years, it was NOT the norm. As society is slowing changing and ther benefits for breastfeeding are becoming more widely accepted, people will start to chill out about people breastfeeding in public. But until then, I won’t be made to feel badly that I don’t care for my 10 year old son to be shocked and embarrassed when he sees a woman baring her breasts in public to breastfeed. Hopefully by the time my grandkids are born , this will not be the case and kids will be used to seeing it and think nothing of it.
May 7th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Wow, lauradgb, you have said exactly how I have felt for years! And you said it so well
Now I just need you to record yourself saying that so I can carry it around lol. I completely agree with you. I cringe when I hear mothers say ‘oh I couldn’t breastfeed’ like it’s a flippant comment and excuses them from trying at all. The reality is that breastfeeding may come natural to some women but it doesn’t for others. It does take work. You have to work past the cracked nipples, the flat nipples, the nipples the size of your kid’s nose, the boobs the size of your kid’s head, it’s all things you have to take on board. It’s not easy. It’s not easy to demand feed the first few weeks or longer. It’s not easy sitting for a feed anywhere from 30-60 minutes. It’s not easy being the only one to feed your baby. And yes you can express but some babies won’t take a bottle, mine wouldn’t. I tried, I cried trying because I was exhausted. It’s too easy to give your baby a bottle with formula. There’s no work involved. I am happy that I live in a country (New Zealand) where openly breastfeeding is ok. I am American and can remember when my mom visited and she quickly wanted to throw a blanket over me in public saying that is how they do it back home. But why???? I’m confused.
May 7th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
“I cringe when I hear mothers say ‘oh I couldn’t breastfeed’ like it’s a flippant comment and excuses them from trying at all.”
Oh please.
I’ve tried not to read this post anymore because it makes me so angry.
IM PRO NIP! I breastfed and wish I still was but so what? Want to hear my “excuses” too? Cracked nipples, mastitis, acid reflux, a horrendous thrush infection that kept passing back and forth, breasts bigger than my son’s heads, a 17 month old who takes all opportunities to tear up my house, pumping in a FILTHY hairsalon backroom, with my breasts covered in hair…. oh and wait a mother in law who is a LC and works for the WIC clinics in my area who pressured me and was very ranting, just like lauradb.
lauradbg, who are you? What makes you think that you know so much more about breastfeeding, formula content, etc. than the rest of us? It was insulting, preachy and quite righteous.
Maybe now I’ll go feel my baby some poison and cry about not breastfeeding longer. Thanks.
May 8th, 2007 at 12:38 am
Liza – I wasn’t implying that no one had an excuse or a reason for not trying. But it’s not as simple as putting the baby to your breast and it all fitting properly. It takes work. That is what I said. As you have stated it has done so for you. You tried and it took work for you. It’s not an easy feat. But I do hear many automatically say ‘I couldn’t’ when in fact they could, just didn’t. If you are strong in your conviction either way then don’t sugar coat it. I only managed 6 weeks with the first because milk wasn’t there. And yes, I couldn’t. But I persevered through for 6 weeks before realizing it wasn’t worth it. And the second was for 6 months. We do what we feel is right but many rush to a decision based on what someone tells them, someone who pushes them, or because everyone else is doing it. And don’t act like many women don’t breastfeed because it’s gross or because formula is easier. This may not be you but there are many many out there like that! And people do need a wider view instead of tunnel vision! Again it’s all about knowledge and there seems to be a lack of it.
May 8th, 2007 at 2:16 am
Every woman has a right to feed her child in public in the way that works best for herself and her child. I have no problems showing or seeing that much of a woman’s breast in public… but then I don’t live in the U.S. I also would never criticise a woman for choosing to bottlefeed after the horrible abcess I had while breastfeeding my first child. Fortunately, with my second things have gone smoother and I am now breastfeeding a toddler…. something I would never have thought possible after the horrible pain and illness I went through the first time around.
The only thing offensive about this photo is that it was taken by a papparazzo for financial gain.
May 8th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Bravo Maggie Bravo
Thanks for inadvetently making it easier for Mothers who choose to nurse to nurse in public. When a celebrity is pictured doing a certain behavior then the behavior becomes desired.
May 8th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Emily, I reiterate – it’s nobody’s fault but your own for your son’s reaction to seeing a baby nurse. YOU are the major influence in his life, I think his mother would have more of an impact on him than the media. If you don’t like what society is portraying, use it as a learning opportunity to teach him right from wrong, don’t just go with the flow because it’s what everyone else is doing.
May 8th, 2007 at 8:41 am
TwinMom24 I don’t have any thought about my reception. I’m not thinking about that. I’m thinking about how anyone could even contemplate being critical of a mom feeding her baby.
Breasts are for breastfeeding babies and toddlers. Breasts are for breastfeeding babies and toddlers. Breasts are for breastfeeding babies and toddlers. It’s easy to say. Any child would understand that. If you explain to a child and that prompts more discussion, OK. In an age appropriate way, you can explain how the body works and that we are all natural beings and it’s good to know how your body works and be comfortable with that.
Liza, I’m a mom of two. I nursed both for years, in private and in public with varying degrees of comfort. I don’t think I know more about breastfeeding and formula content etc. than the “rest of us”. I know about breastfeeding because I’ve read books about it, “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” is a classic that helped my own mother breastfeed me and my siblings effectively. I’ve attended La Leche League meetings to get information, advice and support. They are fantastic and very supportive of breastfeeding moms.
Liza it sounds like you had a very hard time of it. It can be very rough, but there is help. What did you do for your mastitis? Did you nurse more on that side and put cabbage leaves on your breasts to heal them? That’s what LLL would have told you to do–and then get antibiotics. I bet you probably did get antibiotics which led to the thrush. Is that the correct order of what happened to you? Did the doctor tell you of the importance of taking probiotics while on antibiotics? No? Well, they don’t learn about lactating in school–so how would they know unless they went out of their way to get informed? Not likely. They’re pretty busy. So your gut flora was knocked out of whack from the antibiotics which led to thrush. Did anyone tell you to put powdered probiotcs on your nipples to heal them and your baby? Did anyone tell you to put the powder on your baby’s tongue? Did anyone explain to nurse whenever the baby wants to and not bother with looking at a clock? Not nursing regularly can lead to clogged ducts which can lead to mastitis. Cracked nipples and nipple problems in general can be because of an improper latch and from not holding the baby correctly.
In this country, we really don’t know how to hold a baby and have them latch on do we? We all know how to hold a baby for bottle feeding. But breastfeeding is different and once you get a proper latch on is COMPLETELY comfortable–as you can see in Maggie’s picture.
You said, “pumping in a FILTHY hairsalon backroom, with my breasts covered in hair….” What if your employer would have been more supportive of you pumping? What if we as a culture was more supportive of that, so you had a nice place to pump for your baby?
My point in all of this is not to offend. I’ve been very strident because I’m sick of the absolute minimal support women get to breastfeed. And, beyond that, I’m sick of the hostility directed at women when they nurse in ways that some see as inappropriate.
Maggie’s breast showed. She’s nursing her baby. It’s not about you. It’s about the baby receiving the absolute best, normal, natural nourishment and nurturing from her mother.
Let’s stop giving lip service to the idea that, “Breast is Best” and actually support breastfeeding. Lets actually say what breastfeeding does that formula feeding does not: protect against childhood leukemia, prevent allergies, asthma, ear infections, adult obesity, help prevent breast cancer for the woman breastfeeding and breast cancer for the female baby.(Why is no one reporting that during breast cancer awareness month?!) Provide soothing hormones to the baby and mommy both, which is why babies are so comforted by breastfeeding. Obviously, that can be a great asset in parenting!
We are mammals. We lactate. That’s good for our children and we should be OK with that.
May 8th, 2007 at 9:11 am
for a great video on NIP check out (http://www.dirtydiaperdiaries.com/2007/03/breastfeeding_in_public.html)
I say good for Maggie in feeding her daughter in public, it is the most natural thing to do!
May 8th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Pssst, Lisa, Emily is the pro-NIP’er who said she’s seen more skin bared on a Victoria Secret model, not the person with negative boob issues
. Carry on.
May 8th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I wonder what Maggie thinks about how worked up we are all getting about her NIP?
I agree with almost everything you both said, but I’m more or less saying the way you worded it sounded like it wasn’t very accepting of other people’s decisions to not breastfeed, and some of the things could have been taken negatively.
I agree that people should give nursing all that they have and that society should be more supportive of the natural way we are meant to feed our young. I just want to hug Maggie for not covering up and just giving Ramona those benefits. I did it and wish I still was.
I also agree that nursing should go on anywhere a bottle would. I agree with the posters who say that a child doesnt know a breast is “bad” unless you tell them. Your older children wont think that unless you teach it to them. It’s like racism. It’s not inborn. It’s something you are taught. I nursed and pumped in front of my older son, and in front of other children with no reaction.
But I’m not going to tell people how they choose to feed their child is wrong, or unhealthy, because it’s not my place. I’m not going to preach my views, but I will advise and be supportive. Women already know that is inferior without having to be made to feel inferior.
May 8th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
X –
You’d best find a blindfold for your children, because there are images of T & A all over the place. Do your kids ever look at movie posters? Do they ever look at the advertising posters plastered all over the windows at convenience stores marketing beer-n-boobs? Do they ever flip through fashion magazines, or travel magazines, or even Martha Stewart? There are sexualized images of women (and increasingly, men) dispersed widely throughout our culture — yet very rarely do I see parents of pre-pubescent children leading them around blindfolded. That’s why your comments on keeping breastfeeding “out of sight of children” ring insincere to me. Explaining what is going on when a mother is breastfeeding her child — newborn or toddler or kindergartner — absolutely does not require any discussion of puberty or sex. It’s about food and optimal nutrition for children. Period.
May 8th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
My teenage son loves to see women breastfeed in public although I doubt he thinks of a woman’s breast as food or something like an elbow *lol*
I’m all for breastfeeding, also in public, as long as it’s done in a discreet manner – like Maggie did it. I also believe they do great wrap tops and blouses especially for breastfeeding moms now that allow to nurse without everything being ‘on show’… people have different opinions and they should all be respected. Nothing is worse (imo) than somebody trying to push their own opinion on others.
May 8th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
I think this is great to see a celebrity using her body for what it was designed for! Go Girl!
May 8th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Christie, I was just making an observation, as I can remember people only using bottles or pumps in public in my area when I was young, I don’t why or if there was a reason, I was about 6 or 7 at the time, so thats how I remember it.
I don’t really bother telling people my real opinion of it anymore. No offense to anyone but its always wrong to somebody, and I am not suggesting anything, its a very controversial subject, I just don’t have an opinion of it.
May 8th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I say its only natural and for those blanket covers. How would you like to cover with a blanket to eat. Go Girl you Rock I think if more woman did this in America we would understand the real purpose of BREASTS. No one covers dogs and cows and other mammals up to feed. NO one is telling the baby monkeys at the zoo not to NIP. We are mammals let us act like them.
May 8th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Golly Christine, I had no idea I had insecurities about my body and breasts. Thank you so much for pointing out how insecure I am about my body and informing me that that is the reason I don’t like seeing a stranger’s breasts hanging out in a public place. I actually have the utmost respect for my body, which is why I choose not to share it with any Jo Shmo walking down the street. And I guess you need to learn how to read, because if you knew how, you’d know that I said twice that I don’t have a problem with NIP. What I do have a problem with is overexposure and the complete disregard for other peoples’ opinions that has gone into overdrive here.
At first this post was simply people saying what they thought, but some of the latter comments are absolutely disgusting. Liza, I’m with you-this post has become so absurd that every time I check in I regret it because the comments about “poisoning children” with formula and “warping children” to believe that breasts are bad are so phenomenally self-righteous and infuriating. As soon as I read lauradbg’s posts, I immediately remembered what you said about your MIL in another thread-it’s the exact same thing.
This thread has turned into little more than high and mighty moms trying to climb on a soapbox and tell everyone what they’re doing wrong with their children. I hate to break it to you all, but guess what? Nobody died and made you the Breastfeeding Nazis, and your children are no better than anyone else’s just because they drank from a nipple instead of a bottle. So get over yourselves and, more importantly, get off the high horse.
May 8th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I’d just like to let bottle feeding moms to know that they aren’t less than because they are bottle feeding. Whatever your reasons. Don’t let that natural nazis make you feel that your somehow killing your child with a bottle. In third world countries women breastfeed because thats their ony choice most of the time. And if they are malnourished or have disease their children also become malnourished and diseased.
My sister and I both had children at the same time and both had very bad labors that resulted in c-sections(so we started off as being ‘less than’ nature woman). My child was away from me for a week and luckily was able to nurse. My sister’s refused to nurse and no lactation consulted had the magic touch to make that baby want to nurse. So faced with her child losing weight she bottle fed formula. We both have fat happy babies.
May 8th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Good for her. Perhaps if more celebrities breastfeed and do so in public more people will be willing to accept breastfeeding for what it is: a natural event that should happen anywhere without any type of repercussion.
May 8th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
You know what I find interesting? It’s mostly women that are anti-breastfeeding. Men? They could care less. They may glance at the exposed breast, think to themselves, “hmm, free show!”, then give themselves a mental kick in the ass and look away and move on.
And to the commenters who claim too much breast is showing: give me a break. Seriously. I see more cleavage, breast and hint of nipple on women who are wearing bikinis and tops.
May 8th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
You know, Lauradbg, I started typing a reply to your lengthy essay, but I can’t be bothered arguing with a total stranger over something so ridiculous. Life’s too short!
May 8th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Pink.Lioness, re: “Nothing is worse (imo) than somebody trying to push their own opinion on others.”
SO TRUE! And probably the most accurate comment on this thread.
May 8th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
maybe I’m old-fashioned (k, scratch that. I KNOW I am) but breast-feeding in public is SO tacky!! I dont wanna see that, and I know others who dont either!! It’s one thing to just see pictures of it, but can you imagine the people who had to WALK BY??? EWW!!!
two wrongs dont make a right. Britney Spears not wearing any underwear is disgusting, and so is breastfeeding your kid in public.
May 8th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
I’d rather see or show a partial breast than a squishy post-partum belly LOL
May 8th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Pink.Lioness, re: “Nothing is worse (imo) than somebody trying to push their own opinion on others.”
Um, irony much? LOL
May 8th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I’m pro bf’ing all the way and have NO problem with BFIP whatsoever, but I would like to point out that the way some pro-bf’ers try to promote their cause is enough to turn a woman off it altogether. When you take shots at mothers who, for whatever reason, choose not to breastfeed, you’re only making yourself look like a bully. What’s really important is that a child receives tons of love and attention, not whether they were formula fed or breastfed.
May 8th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I think its beautiful.
Now if she was naked on a movie or something no one would say it was tasteful yet here she is feeding her precious (if not hungry) bub. What is wrong with that. I don’t think she is showing too much. I think its great she is comfortable with it.
May 8th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Elena you’ve just proved one of the points I’ve been ranting about. It is not equivalent. It does matter what you feed your child. But because I’m saying it in such strong terms it seems like I’m intolerant and judgmental.
There is this pervasive attitude in this country that it doesn’t make a difference if you breastfeed or not. Yet there is every study under the sun showing the marked difference in the health of women and their babies when the mom breastfeeds. It does make a difference.
Of course love is the most important aspect of parenting. And of course everyone feels protective of their kids. One of the best lifetime protections anyone can give is breastfeeding.
I just think we’re all big girls. If you CHOSE to not breastfeed because you thought you couldn’t do it, or thought it was gross and formula is just as good–you did yourself and your child a huge disservice. That is the truth, not opinion. Don’t pretend that you couldn’t do it.
If you really couldn’t breastfeed I’m sorry for your loss. I don’t judge you at all. Parenting is hard enough without feeling judged by others…which brings us back to Maggie doesn’t it?
Maggie was judged as being lewd, or oblivious of paparazzi or indiscreet or somehow less than and offensive. Who’s judging who?
How is it if I come on strong about breastfeeding being great and it is important to breastfeed I’m seen as a bully making formula feeders feel guilty for their choice? If you didn’t choose to not breastfeed and really couldn’t do it there’s no need for guilt is there? You tried your hardest to do right by your baby, right? But, if you do feel guilt, is it because you could have done it and really chose not to?
Now, if the people who are judging Maggie are called on it, they can say things like “we should all respect each others’ feelings” “We shouldn’t foist our naturalness on unsuspecting children in a park” and other equally strident things.
This whole thread started with Lauren judging Maggie. That’s how this conversation started. A breastfeeding mother was judged, righteously, and indignantly for feeding her baby.
Who is judging who?
May 8th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
lauradbg, you obviously can’t be bothered to comprehend and understand other peoples’ point of view and have proven yourself to be one of the most close-minded people I have ever had the misfortune of coming across in my two years reading this site. This is a celebrity website where readers come to share their opinions. And since you obviously can’t be bothered to respect opinions that differ from yours, perhaps this isn’t the site for you.
“You know what’s offensive? People sticking phthalate laced plastic in their baby’s mouth, feeding them cow’s milk amended with synthetic vitamins and corn syrup.”
You know what’s REALLY offensive? The fact that you chose to make such a high and mighty, disgustingly judgemental statement about the way some mothers feed their children. And the fact that you can’t even acknowledge the fact that you were so completely rude and out of line is more sad than the original comment. TwinMom, pink.lioness, and Elena are absolutely right-you are a bully. I hope you feel good about yourself, because nobody else does.
May 8th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
If you want to argue with people, send them an email by clicking their name under their comment.
It’s unfortunate that we can’t have a post about breastfeeding without fighting about breast vs bottle. It is for this exact reason that there is such prominence of breastfeeding on the site. There is a completely unfair bias in the US FOR formula because formula companies have tons of money to spend on advertising and marketing while breasts have no advertising budget. (By the way, you’ll notice that you’ll never ever see a formula ad on CBB- I always turn them down even though it’s easy money.) It is a completely unfair advantage and I seek to level the playing field.
I seek to educate CBB readers about breastfeeding. The medical community agrees that breastmilk is the ultimate food for infants and formula is merely a substitute, and not an equal. Yes, formula fed children will grow up to lead completely and full happy lives but breastmilk is what infants are meant to drink and babies who are fed formula miss out on really important things that only breastmilk can supply. It makes me sad that when most mothers choose to formula feed it is because they have only heard one side of the story, that they don’t have all of the facts about why breastmilk is better, or have been made to feel embarrassed about using their breasts to feed their children, or have been put in an uncomfortable position because their mothers and/or mother-in-laws formula fed their babies and “they turned out just fine.”
I fear that whatever we say about breastfeeding, moms who formula feed are going to see it as an attack against them and get defensive so it really doesn’t matter what I say or even how I say it.
I believe that our World Breastfeeding Week educational posts last August were rather nonjudgmental and they had a significant impact on a number of our readers, some of which told me that they weren’t planning to breastfeed but now they are or hadn’t breastfed their first child but planned now to breastfeed subsequent kids. Even though I received more flack than positive feedback, that makes me think I AM getting through to some people and that I’m doing the right thing by using CBB as a platform to give people what they need to make INFORMED decisions about how to feed their infants.
May 9th, 2007 at 7:08 am
I’m glad I had a chance to browse through all these comments; I honestly had no idea there was such a controversy concerning breast-feeding in public.
Also, I thought the breast vs. bottle battle had been fought already – years ago! I was really baffled when I realized there are still Americans (for this must surely be an American occurrence) who don’t breastfeed. In most parts of Europe (and the rest of the world, for that matter) this is unheard of.
May 9th, 2007 at 8:29 am
This will be my last post regarding this topic.
At first, the comments regarding this post were simply readers stating their opinions of the photo, which is the purpose of the site. There was no arguing or accosting, which is how it should be. But some of the comments here are absolutely vile, and the people making them ought to be ashamed of themselves. The fact that people actually stooped to the level of accusing people who disagree with them of having insecurities about their own bodies, warping their children to make them think that breasts are bad, and poisoning their children with formula is disgusting, not to mention immature and negative to the cause they’re trying to promote.
Breastmilk is best for infants, and every infant deserves the best. I even see disclaimers at the bottom of many formula ads admitting this fact. But the reality is that not every mother can breastfeed, much as she tries, and not every mother breastfeeds for as long as others do. And when people like lauradbg scream about feeding their kids “garbage,” accuse moms who don’t breatfeed of not doing enough, and scare people into believing their baby won’t get leukemia, breast cancer, or any other illness simply for having been breastfeed, they are using scare tactics and bullying techniques to get their way. THAT is what people have a problem with-NOT women who wants to breastfeed and do.
May 9th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Here’s a link to a Reuters report on a study that shows that breastfeeding helps prevent breast cancer–not a scare tactic, just the truth.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18152910/
Here’s a link to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that shows a study of breastfeeding reducing the incidence of childhood leukemia–not a scare tactic, just the truth.
http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/20/1765?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&titleabstract=leukemia&searchid=QID_NOT_SET&FIRSTINDEX=&fdate=10/1/1999
Lauren I’m sorry if you feel my pointing out these things are scare tactics they are not.
For what it’s worth I thought your criticism of Maggie was vile.
May 9th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I’m totally pro breastfeeding and I’m currently breastfeeding but I agree with Lauren completely. I nurse in public but I use descretion and will bottle feed expressed milk (like in church, I’m not going to wip my boob out). The situation I’m in depends on if I remove myself, use a blanket, bottle feed, or feel comfortable just popping the boob out.
I’ve already been attacked by the NATURAL NAZIS for not being woman enough to push my posterior (face-up) stuck baby out and for getting an epidural after 26 hours of horrible labor and 2.5 hours of pushing (I had a c-section and a nurse even told me I was “weak”). I was lucky enough, after being separated from my baby who was trasnfered into another hospitals NICU, that she took to my breast. My sister wasn’t and after trying to nurse for 2 weeks and the baby refusing it and no answers to , turned to bottle feeding and formuala after the baby suffered substantial weight loss.
BottleFeeding Moms: While I refuse to give my child formula and have been successful at breastfeeding and I would rather you breastfeed. You are not LESS THAN any other mom because you choose formula and bottle feeding, for whatever reason. I was told that breastfed babies don’t develope excema, Well my daughter has excema all over her body.
Just as there was a movement for formula the trend now is to be mother nature and use cloth diapers,organic clothing, and constantly wear your baby in a sling and if you do anything less than your not a good mother. This mommy wars crap has to stop.
May 9th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Go Maggie!!
May 9th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Here is a link to a study reported by Reuters about how breastfeeding decreases the risk of breast cancer in women:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18152910/
Here is a link to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute outlining a study that shows how breastfeeding reduces the risk of childhood leukemia:
http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/20/1765?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&titleabstract=leukemia&searchid=QID_NOT_SET&FIRSTINDEX=&fdate=10/1/1999
May 9th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Wow I am so glad I don’t live and breastfeed in the US, people seem awfully judgemental, particularly about something so natural.
I think it’s a real shame women and mothers aren’t supported more in mothering. Being a mum is hard enough without all the insidiously anti women attitudes society shoves out.
Like breasts are OK when sexually provocative but breastfeeding? Hide yourself away! God forbid you don’t immediately lose weight after birth and become a hot chick again. And as for aging gracefully forget it – cover up those grey hairs and get botoxed because old women don’t count.
Rather than perpetuating this rubbish and judging each other women should be supporting each other instead and making an effort against misogynistic attitudes. There is still such a long way to go.
May 9th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I think this thread has gotten out of hand. There’s a comment policy up there that refers to inflammatory remarks. I would think telling someone they fed their child “poison” (referring to formula) would fall under that category. ???
Lauradbg, I find your posts condescending and quite frankly, I think you don’t do much to help the pro-bf cause. You’re coming across as a breastfeeding zealot with your insults against formula-feeding.
May 9th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
I think it’s beautiful to see a woman nursing in public, uncovered and unafraid to be seen – and a celebrity no less! It’s important that we normalize breastfeeding. Covering up only continues to convey that it is an inappropriate act that should be hidden. It’s great to see Maggie be proud of giving her baby the very best she can.
May 10th, 2007 at 4:10 am
I wonder whether Maggie has read any of our comments.
May 10th, 2007 at 9:13 am
Go, Maggie. It looks like she might have been settling the baby *to* the breast, which sometimes requires a few seconds of extra exposure before being able to cover up and be more modest.
No matter what, she’s a great role model for nursing in public, and I support her and the picture fully.
May 10th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Ok, Danielle- let’s get real here. I love to read this site for the pure gossip and the pictures. I mean, that is really all there is to it. I took the survey, only in hopes to win a prize, and the entire thing was geared towards what is going to make me buy advertised product. That is what makes this world go round, right? The advertisers pay you to post their ads in the hopes that we, the readers, will buy the product. Yet you comment that you are using this site, a celebrity baby blog, as a “platform to give people what they need to make INFORMED decisions about how to feed their infants.” And you put it in bold- as if it is fact….more important or something. As a woman who breastfed both of my children, I am insulted that you have insinuated that mothers who do not breast feed are somehow UNINFORMED. I am sure there are plenty of breastfeeding mothers who smoke, feed their kids McDonald’s, curse etc. But I guess because they breast feed they are informed good parents. As a daily reader of this blog, and even someone who made a purchase because of an ad on this page, I think I will now be getting my celebrity baby news gossip at one of the many others sites. I will be sure to choose a site that is run by a woman who has no agenda to push, no insults to make, and does not consider herself high and mighty because of refusing revenue from formula companies- you know- the devil. I will also read these sites while happily breastfeeding my 13 month old right next to my best friend while she bottle feeds her child. We are both smart, informed, and supportive….and guess what, both of our kids will be to.
May 10th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
First of all, YAY for her for breastfeeding her baby in public!!!!
Many of you say that Maggie knew that cameras where around. What was she suppose to do… rush home to nurse her baby? I mean her baby didnt know that cameras where around. Her baby was hungry and Maggie fed her.
Breastfeeding advocates are strongly trying to get more women to breastfeed because its the best nutrition for the baby. Negative comments about how they need to cover up or whatever sly comments will deter many women from breastfeeding. Its just not right. If you formula feed you mix the formula and feed the baby a bottle in public and thats fine. Why can’t a women NIP? Because many people view breasts as purely SEXUAL. Its really sad!
I breastfeed my 10 month old daughter and dont care what people say. I will nurse her anywhere I want to. I do try to be discreet but thats purely for MY benefit not anyone elses.
May 10th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
You can sure tell where the mods stand on this topic. They seem to like to give the last word to the ultra-militant pr-ebf, pro-bfip, pro-bf’ing for life group.i find this site interesting, but I think you need to let up on pushing the bf’ing issue. It gets old.