I don’t assume “no one does it for the sake of their children”.

In fact, I would guess that most late breast feeders simply like what they’re doing and don’t see it as a problem, and so they don’t stop.

But when they start getting in-your-face and militant, and/or attacking people who raise the perfectly legitimate question of whether excessive breastfeeding is in fact beneficial – or whether there might be cause for concern – I think that’s an inappropriate response.

I realize that wanting to study a thing further, or wanting more information, could be a euphemistic way of describing ‘an agenda’ (malicious intent against whatever needs to be “studied”) but I don’t intend that here. I am just saying that we would do well to gather real information – reliable, objective information (as difficult as that can be, in highly emotional situations like the controversies involving the “best” way to raise a child) – about when the point comes where breastfeeding is not only no longer necessary, but actually harmful.

I think we can all agree that the kid should be weaned before he goes to college, at any rate. (That was a joke. Laugh, darnit.)

The proper objection is not to “seeing a mother breastfeeding her child.” It is to an unrealistic and exploitative picture that serves to make breastfeeding of older children (not to mention breastfeeding in general) appear lurid and bizarre.

That is why the icons and artistic representations Matthew posted don’t really address what’s wrong with the Time cover.

And Blake, there are many mothers who believe that breastfeeding IS in the best physical and emotional health interests of their children, past whatever age you seem to think is appropriate. I won’t venture to speculate on the percentages, but I think you are wrong to assume that no one does it for the sake of their children. You don’t need to justify it by “necessity for survival” if in fact it has genuine benefits and only potential, not necessary, harm. Some twisted person doing something does not endanger the mental or moral health of a child whose mother is not twisted.

Actually mothering that we view as healthy is not disgusting – if anything, we get the same response we get in the presence of the sacred (which is IMO a lot to do with why people don’t want to look at breastfeeding moms).

But unhealthy mothering does raise revulsion in us, and rightly so.

If you or someone you know is mothering in a way that routinely repulses others, you might want to take a cold hard look at your assumptions, your motives, and exactly why you are justifying engaging in practices that others find disturbing.

http://imaginemdei.blogspot.com/2011/08/st-bernard-of-clairvaux-mellifluous.html