Do you think my cross-nursing blog header is too much?

[MittensKittens]

A dear friend just made me a beautiful banner for my new birthing blog. The picture is of me nursing my son and hers at the same time. I think it's lovely, but am worried people will be offended. Can I please have your honest opinions? Should I have something more neutral as my banner?

You can view it here - http://writeaboutbirth.com/

I hope it's OK to post the link - my website is totally non-commercial.

[rhiOrion]

I love it! I think most people who would be reeeaaaaly offended by it would probably be unable to even comprehend the idea and would think it was photo shopped.

[StephandOwen]

I like it

I will be honest and say I think there are probably some (a lot?) of mainstream people who would be offended by it. So it depends on what you want to accomplish- do you want to draw mainstream people in to read about different (new?) ways of doing things? Or do you want to just focus on giving like-minded women something to read? Depending on what your goal is, you could either keep it or change it.

[dogmom327]

I agree with Steph. While I personally think it's cool--I think it could be a major turnoff to most of the general public. So it's ultimately about what you hope to accomplish. It certainly will be not only acceptable but also potentially a draw to a certain audience. I think the hard thing with pictures like that is that for average-joe public, it draws an instant negative reaction rather than curiousity to investigate further.

[MittensKittens]

Thanks! I posted about the header on my blog, and I hope I'll get some opinions from people reading it... If someone is offended, I guess it will have to change. I do assume crunchy folks are not put off by cross nursing, but I would like to be a source of good info, rather than the "crazy breast lady"!

Does it bother anyone that the picture is not related to birth, which is what the blog is all about?

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

I agree with Steph. While I personally think it's cool--I think it could be a major turnoff to most of the general public. So it's ultimately about what you hope to accomplish. It certainly will be not only acceptable but also potentially a draw to a certain audience. I think the hard thing with pictures like that is that for average-joe public, it draws an instant negative reaction rather than curiousity to investigate further.

I love the photo, and I agree with the above.

To answer your other question, it IS a bit disorienting to see a photo not directly related to the site's theme. If they were newborns, it would make more sense. Now it seems that the photo is there just for the sake of a photo, and most mainstream folks would be turned off.

Also, be prepared for the photo to be copied and plastered all over questionable sites, the best of which will put it under "funny". You also might not want that kind of traffic to your site either. I've seen really gorgeous birth and nursing photos copied under "funny photos" and that was shocking, to say the least, even if the site itself wasn't offensive. These photos where among funny animal photos, funny kids photos and so on. But I can only imagine where else such photos end up, shudder.

[Mrs.Music]

Personally, it wasn't the cross nursing that caught my mind as what would be offensive to mainstreamers. I imagine they'd likely have more of a problem with how much breast is showing before they even notice one of those babies isn't the same color as the other one and therefore probably isn't yours. It isn't related to birth, so you may want to change your header for that reason alone, but I think it's a good one. So it just depends on you and the reactions you get from your readers I suppose. I think cross nursing is great. And when my weaned DS stole a bottle of EBM from my SIL's still nursing infant, I thought it was cute, but DH thought it was icky.

[MittensKittens]

Thanks for your input, folks! Yeah, I have huge breasts . When my friend took that picture, I was not expecting to see it on the header of my blog! Otherwise I would have covered up more, hahaha.

Do you have any suggestions for what the banner SHOULD look like? I wanted a pregnant belly initially, but my friend said it was not working out design wise, because the picture ended up really distorted, or really small. Perhaps a belly on one side, and a newborn on the other, with the blog title in the middle?

[MittensKittens]

My friend made another banner - now viewable at http://writeaboutbirth.com/.

I'd specifically like opinions from those who already saw the cross nursing banner. Personally, I much prefer the cross nursing banner to this new banner, and I am considering putting it back, and keeping it. Could you tell me what you think of this banner? It's certainly neutral, but I am not sure I like it.

[lilyka]

i don't like the picture. I just don't find it visually appealing. And I love a good toddler nursing shot, just not this one. the squished boobies and lack of head on the woman is just awkward. I also don't see how it relates to the web site.

[StacieM]

I didn't see the first one, but I'm kind of curious to know what it looked like. I don't like the current one either.

While I'm not so much concerned that a cross-nursing pic would be offensive, I just don't think this one is the one to use.

If there is a beautiful, tasteful cross nursing pic, I would say go for it. So what if the "general" public is offended. They are probably not the kind of people you're writing for anyway. Having a banner/header that, in itself, connects with your market/audience is awesome. You just need to find the right image.

[MittensKittens]

Here I am again! Thanks for the additional comments. Just to be clear, I don't like it either. But I do prefer it to the other banner my friend made using pictures she "borrowed" off the internet, or the free banner with shower curtain rings that wordpress provided. I don't have photoshop and can't make another banner myself.

The last thing I thought of when I was nursing those kids is that a picture would end up on my own website. But there you are . I have to admit it has grown on me.

[Sieren]

I actually kind of like it! I never saw the original one, though. I guess for improvements, I'd say it would look better if you could see the woman's head, and maybe a little less contrast in the overall picture. Otherwise, I think its cute! I'm sure it might offend a lot of mainstream people, but who cares!

[MittensKittens]

You can now see a the other banner. I'd love comments on this one too. Keep in mind that for this banner, my friend used pictures off the internet, and the pregnant belly picture I have seen several times elsewhere since she first showed the banner to me. I think this one looks too "mainstream" and not personal enough. Sure, it might have more to do with birth... but I also have to say that I am a bit concerned those pictures might have copyright issues. At least the nursing picture is mine. I know you can't see my head (because there isn't space in a banner, which needs horizontally orientated pictures), but it's ME!