Would you nurse your kids on a large mainstream media program?

[Unoppressed MAMA Q]

In more detail, would you tandem nurse your four and five year old for a large mainstream 'news magazine' show? Maybe a few million viewers, in your home, with your real name, etc?

That's all I'll say, 'cuz I seek many thoughts without much of my own.

[Tinker]

Sure, why not? The only way to normalize it, is for people to see it.

[bellymama]

yes, i would.

[Cersha]

Originally Posted by Tinker

Sure, why not? The only way to normalize it, is for people to see it.

I understand this, but, how can you be sure how the issue will be presented?? I mean, what if they paint you in this horrible light??

I guess, if you are comfortable with all the negative possibilities, then go for it...but, just because they *say* you will be present in a particular kind of way doesn't mean that it will definitely end up that way...does that make ANY sense at all??

Like, I remember reading *on here, I think* about a mom that went on a talk show to talk about ext. bfing, and the show just turned on her....

But, I totally see how a positive show could help to normalize!!

[~Mamaterra~]

Absolutely....where do you want me to sign up?!?!

[hipmummy]

I would, if it were not for show. If they happpend to be recording and ds needed to nurse I would. But I would not force him or Coax him on, just for the sake of Journalism. I would want it to be real. My ds is 20 months and unless he fell and really hurt himself, there is no way with all that attention would he nurse on a TV set. What are the chances of them both "needing" to nurse at the same time on TV? Unless it is being filmed in your home, then that is another story.

[hanno]

Originally Posted by hipmummy

I would, if it were not for show. If they happpend to be recording and ds needed to nurse I would. But I would not forse him or Coax him on, just for the sake of Journalism. I would want it to be real. My ds is 20 months and unless he fell and really hurt himself, there is no way with all that attention would he nurse on a TV set. What are the chances of them both "needing" to nurse at the same time on TV? Unless it is being filmed in your home, then that is another story.

very much this

[ThreeBeans]

No. It sounds like it would be planned or coerced, which is weird.

And I believe it would be disrespectful of their privacy.

[LeighB]

Originally Posted by hipmummy

I would, if it were not for show. If they happpend to be recording and ds needed to nurse I would. But I would not force him or Coax him on, just for the sake of Journalism. I would want it to be real. My ds is 20 months and unless he fell and really hurt himself, there is no way with all that attention would he nurse on a TV set. What are the chances of them both "needing" to nurse at the same time on TV? Unless it is being filmed in your home, then that is another story.

Yep, agree!

[shanti1]

no, but only because I'd never put my family or children in a situation that would put a negative spin on things making them feel insecure or the center of ridicule.......which shows like that can often do.

[*MamaJen*]

We all think it would be great, and it's a brave thing to do. But if you do go through with it, be prepared for the coverage to be very, very negative. And be prepared for horrible nasty comments from ignorant people who saw it. And be prepared to have it pop up every time you google your name.
If, say, Mothering TV was filming, I'd say go for it. But honestly, for a mainstream news show that is probably going to posit extended breastfeeding as a whacked out thing to do, I wouldn't let myself be used.

[cjuniverse]

I'd probably do it, but not without a lot of nervousness and uncertainty.

If you're planning on doing this, I say go for it! The US, especially, needs to see more of this in mainstream media. Much more. You'd be setting a priceless example!

Much love and luck!


Edited to add: I agree with previous posters that the producers may very well decide to 'sensationalize' your nursing (and if you do nurse, I agree it should be spontaneous and initiated by your children), but even so, I think it would cause a lot of light bulbs to go off in a way that could be very positive overall for extended nursing/nursers.

[lacysmommy]

No, I wouldn't, because I think the overwhelming reaction would be extremely negative, and I don't want something so lovely and special to my family disrespected and thrown in the mud. I understand about normalizing it, but at the age you're speaking of, few people would "get" it, and most would think it was creepy or worse. At a younger age, I wouldn't hesitate (like, 2ish or younger). IMO we need to work on normalizing infant/toddler nursing first, and once that is normal in our society, preschool/school aged nursing will naturally follow.

[Ruthla]

I wouldn't for a number of factors. First of all, by age 4 or 5 most kids are nursing a lot less, and are unlikely to want to nurse with the excitement of a TV crew in the house.

2nd of all, I wouldn't put my family at personal risk (CPS anyone?) for the sake of the greater good (normalizing older nurslings.)

I wouldn't hesitate to nurse younger kids (say, 1 and 2, or 2 and 3) on camera if both needed to nurse simultaneously while the camera crew was there- though honestly I can't imagine a child over 3 being interested in nursing when there's something so interesting to look at.

[Teyu]

No because I wouldn't want my real name out there. Plus they'd spin it to be negative and edit it in a way to make me look like some whackjob. Plus because of the reason someone mentioned about it being staged.

Also about a million more reasons but I'm one handed...

[baltic_ballet]

I don’t know if I could do it personally; the lady in the YouTube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxv6R9fUO74 who was breastfeeding her 8 year old was crucified (yes I know a 4 or 5 year old is not the same as breastfeeding a 8 year old) and I wouldn’t want my child teased if other children saw it. I think it would be great educationally wise.

I think you are really brave if you go ahead.

[ramama]

I agree with hipmummy. If they absolutely needed to nurse (unlikely) I would, but I don't use my children to make social/political/cultural statements. They're children, not picket signs.

[MilkTrance]

I wouldn't for a number of factors. First of all, by age 4 or 5 most kids are nursing a lot less, and are unlikely to want to nurse with the excitement of a TV crew in the house.

2nd of all, I wouldn't put my family at personal risk (CPS anyone?) for the sake of the greater good (normalizing older nurslings.)

This.

[readytobedone]

Originally Posted by Tinker

Sure, why not? The only way to normalize it, is for people to see it.

:

i get what people are saying about not using your kids to make political statements, but i guess i don't think it's using them if they want to nurse :

the only thing that would worry me is being made out to be a "freak" by the way the show is spun...but even so, i'd probably do it just on the offchance i'd reach people anyway

[EviesMom]

Nope! Never! Then again, I have journalism experience and I know quite well that what they say they're going to do and what they do do to sell the story are NOT the same. I'd probably go on and talk about it when my kids were grown and weaned if they were okay with it though. We avoided the "chicken pox party-journalism" for the same reason. Those whack jobs even tracked down my phone number!