August 3rd, 2010
02:11 PM ET
Gisele Bundchen: Breastfeeding should be a lawWhen it comes to motherhood, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen has never been shy about expressing her convictions. She told American Vogue in April, 2010, that she kept careful watch over what she was putting into her body while she was pregnant. “I think a lot of people get pregnant and decide they can turn into garbage disposals. I was mindful about what I ate, and I gained only 30 pounds,” Bundchen said at the time. Similarly, she’s told Harper’s Bazaar U.K. that she’s very conscious about what her 8-month-old son, Benjamin Rein, consumes as well.
“Some people here think they don't have to breastfeed,” Bundchen said in the magazine’s September issue, “and I think, Are you going to give chemical food to your child, when they are so little?'" The 30-year-old model went on, “There should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months.” Bundchen, who said in April that she practiced kung fu and yoga until two weeks before Benjamin was born, described the physical activity as how she prepared, mentally and physically, for the experience. “You want to go into the most intense physical experience in your life unprepared? That doesn’t make any sense to me,” she said. “I thought, OK, let’s get to work. I wasn’t expecting someone else to get the baby out of me.” The U.K. issue of Harper's Bazaar goes on sale August 5.
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If there had been a law requiring me to breastfeed when I had my child I would have been arrested. First of all I couldn't. All of the attempts in the hospital proved pointless as I was not producing milk to be able to feed my baby anyway. Then on top of that I did not have the means to be able to take 6 months off of work to be able to stay home so I could breastfeed my child. As it was where I work does not provide maternity leave. I had to take all of my vacation time (2 weeks) and then go on short term disability for 4 weeks just so I could get my child to 6 weeks old so they would be old enough for daycare. I hate that women are being judged and made to feel like horrible mothers by some over privileged Supermodel NFL Quarterbacks wife because she has the ability and means to do something that other women can't.
Speaking about a law sounds a bit tough, but I agree in the meaning of what Bundchen says. I'm fed up with moms saying their milk wasn't good enough for their babies, didn't have "enough" milk, and so on. Have you ever heard of a cow, pig, dog or any other animal who didn't have "enough" milk for their babies, or whose milk wasn't good enough? Nonsense!! This urban life we're living makes us women not learn in a natural way how our mothers, sisters and neighbours are breastfeeding their babies. We need the tribal training and support, and no more excuses!!! Of course, I've breastfed my two babies going through all the troubles one can imagine...
Thank you so much Gisele for being the kind of woman that would look down on others for not breastfeeding and stuffing themselves "full of garbage". You are just the kind of person that should be ashamed of themselves for the garbage that comes out of your mouth. Unfortunately not all mothers, including myself, are able to breastfeed and it still hurts knowing I couldn't do that for my son. So a big F-You to you Gisele for being the kind of person that would make mothers feel ashamed.
Oh and btw 30lbs is still a lot of weight to gain during pregnancy. I only gained 16lbs and ate very well for my child. So again, screw you!
Ok, calm down folks – for one, these are excerpts from an interview & media LOVES to take things out of context. second, please read what she actually says – she is referencing people who CHOOSE not to breastfeed, not those mother's who cannot for various reasons. She's talking about health – keeping your pregnant body healthy for the baby, and then giving the baby the best healthful food you can. Yeah, a law to make you is extreme – but come on, no one's ever said something a little extreme that they didn't "quite" mean, when making a point? Seems her point is more that breastfeeding/pregnancy/motherhood in general is viewed very differently in this country than many other countries – American mothers get the least amount of maternity leave, breastfeeding in public is looked down upon, & in general it seems we sure like to judge & put each other down, don't we? Even on message boards?? (hint, hint)
I would have supported my wife no matter what she had chosen to feed our baby. Before the birth of our first child, I honestly didn't have an opinion on the matter. That being said, my wife chose to breastfeed our 3 children for the first 2 years of their lives, and as a father, I am so appreciative to her that she did. I appreciate her giving them the best start in life that they could have possibly been given.
I am the mother of 4 children who were all breast babies. As for ME and my family (not trying to tell anyone else to do) breastfeeding was overwhelmingly important. I was a student getting my degree with my first two babies and would pump while sitting out in my car and then store it in an ice chest until I could get home to store it. Now I work full time as a teacher and so while at work I pump in my classroom. I found a way to make it work and not have to supplement. I am not saying this is right for everyone. I was raised around breastfeeding. All my female relatives nursed their children. In my family it was just a natural part of what a mother does, so it never even occured to me that I would not nurse my children. Again, I am not a judgemental person and believe everyone should do raise their children the way they see fit, but for ME breastfeeding my children facilitated some of the most tender moments I have had in my experience of being a mother. Connecting to your child on such a primal level as that is really beautiful. As my grandmother used to say, "They are only babies once."
I didn't realize she had a medical degree!! All celebrities live in an unrealistic world. I wouldn't be surprised if we find out she was malnourished during her pregnancy. Not every woman has the funds to eat some special health diet or whatever. What has she done with her life? Modeled underwear and married an overrated football player who screwed up with his first kid!! Do us all a favor and leave your uneducated opinions at home!
Leave it to a supermodel to say something stupid like this. Women should support women, period. All women have to choose what is right for their families. We really don't need some nitwit passing judgement with little or no information about someone's individual situation.
....sorry Pirogi....I reread your comment and I misjudged you. Your comment is aimed at doing whatever is best for mother and baby and I apologize for jumping to conclusions. This subject is a bit of a sore spot with me because I was treated like garbage for choosing not to breastfeed, when I was in the hospital after I had my son. I was pretty much ignored compared to all the other's who breastfed their babies and it made me feel bad. It really put a damper on what was supposed to be a joyous time and no mother should have to go through that..
I have been nursing my son for over 13 months now. I work a full time rotating shift. Two weeks out of five I work night shift, the other three are spend on day shift or off work. I agree that breastfeeding is best if you are able and choose to do so.
I have continued nursing through supply issues after I went to work and around 6 nursing strikes (while cutting new teeth). My son recently cut all four canine teeth back-to-back, which resulted in a nursing strike that lasted for around two weeks. He would only nurse at night, if I caught him while he was really sleepy and only half awake. Breastfeeding is a lot of work. Some people don't realize how much work is actually involved in nursing a child for 12+ months. I plan on breastfeeding future children, hopefully for 12+ months.
I also realize that what a woman does with her boobs is none of my business. If a pregnant friend asks me questions about it, or wants me to point them to information resources I am more than happy to do so. It is not my place to belittle, look down upon, or otherwise judge another woman for how she chooses to feed her baby. That decision is up to the parents. I got to decide how to feed my son, and chose nursing, even with rude comments from people, both strangers and people I know.
Breastfeeding is a great, natural, loving experience only nursing mothers can fully understand. Breastfeeding just because main stream society is putting more pressure on mothers to nurse their infants is likely to only result in women resenting nursing. Then what would be the point?
There are also people who cannot breastfeed due to medical reasons. Also, some mothers of twins find it nearly impossible to keep up with the demands of two hungry infants. I would have. It was almost impossible to keep up with my son during his early growth spurts. My sister-in-law, who has already successfully nursed one child, had to give up on nursing her twins. One had latch problems. She tried pumping for the one and nursing the other, but with a toddler she couldn't keep up. She put both girls on formula, and her family has been much happier. Sometimes it just goes that way.
I agree wtih her fully. That is what we as women, were given breast for. There is alot more selfishness and excuses for women not breastfeeding, than actual medical reasons.
It's been clear to me why this world is the way it is for a long time now, a mess. Out of all the things hundreds of thousands of people could be upset about that is going on in this world, people are upset over this? Didn't this women say this was her opinion? Does anyone know what the word opinion means anymore? Wow! Who cares if you agree or don't agree. Is any of the comments made by this women going to cause anyone physical harm? The lack of food? Unemploment ? or any of the millions of problems that we have going on right now? NO! My goodness. No one can speak anymore without it being made a huge, unimportant deal. Now that i've vented, I feel much better. Sure hope my comments don't get blown out of preportion and end up making headline news. Oh wait, I may have to be a celebrity just speaking on my personal life that has nothing to do with anyone else anyway.
Since you feel there are sooooo many more important things going on in this world (which there are) then why are you reading celebrity gossip and ranting about people's comments, in the first place? Don't you have more important things to do?
Don't fully agree with the whole have to breastfeeding bit but I do to some extent. Here's what disturbs me more:
. “I think a lot of people get pregnant and decide they can turn into garbage disposals. I was mindful about what I ate, and I gained only 30 pounds
She gets paid for looking good! Of course she was mindful of what she ate: Piggy Giselle= NO JOB. If we were all paid to look good, our lives depended on it and had personal trainers we probably wouldn't turn into " garbage disposals".
Be a little more realistic, Giselle.
Why is it that new rich mother's think they know everything? It's not only irritating but they unfortunately come across as completely stupid. Furthermore it's none of hers or anybody else's business as to whether or not a mother decides to breastfeed. From now on Gisele, it would be smart to keep your opinions to yourself.
I realize that breastfeeding is a volatile topic right now, but perhaps if we just ignored her rediculous comments, the media will stop reporting the foolishness. Breastfeeding my daughter was my CHOICE and my priviledge. I am lucky that I had the time, energy and physical ability to do so. My mother didn't and yet here I am, intelligent, happy and healthy. Can you imagine???
WOW, really this is something you feel so strongly about? How about the mothers who drink and abuse drugs during their pregnancies? How about that being a law? FORMULA is safe and perfectly healthy for babies. How about preaching about something that has substance?
Thank-you for your intelligent comment. I agree that there are waaaay more serious issues concerning pregnancy other than whether or not to breastfeed. Maybe there should be mandatory drug testing during pregnancy to help drug addicted mother's??
to breastfeed or not to breastfeed is a very personal choice. mothers should not be forced to do it or made to feel guilty if they don't. that being said – Giselle you are ignorant! and without your lovely hair, your face is manish and gross – you look like that 80's actor Michael Beck – although his looks worked for him!
While I think she's on target that breastfeeding is a good idea, sometimes you can't breastfeed. My mother tried to breastfeed me when I was a newborn and almost starved me to death because her milk lacked the necessary nutrients. A law would be a stupid idea for this reason. No need to punish those who physically can't do something that someone else deems a good idea. A better idea would be to hold talks to promote healthy pregnacies and healthy lifestyles for new moms and infants.
I'm a man- yes- but I am also a scientist and it is proven that a hormone called oxytocin which is the hormone responsible for human bonding is stimulated in the female after she breastfeeds. This strengthens the bond between mother and child. Also, the oxytocin is in the milk so it helps the baby bond with mommy. A recent study found that women with post-partum depression have low oxytocin levels and when given an oxytocin medication, the symptoms improved. I could tell you a lot more but it will be in my new book Be The Solution coming out next year. So breast feeding a child naturally is the best way to establish that bond. Make all the excuses you want, but going natural is the solution!
Nice way to plug your book, scientist.
I breastfed all and the last one for over 3 years so, mneh.
So how much does Gisele Bundchen's opinion (ignorant or otherwise) really affect how you live your life? None. With that said, get off your high horses.
Get over it. Does Giselle Bundchen's opinion (ignorant or otherwise) really matter in your day to day life? No, it doesn't. Have you ever heard of taking things with a grain of salt? Why don't you go ahead and do that?
Awesome!...No, wait. I meant stupid.
Some of us work for a living.
Oh boy... so the super model said something. It was just an opinion. Yes, she gets the exposure, because she is famous. But it is still one person's opinion. What we really need is for everyone to be more supportive of a mom taking the time to care of their child, whether via breast feeding or bottle feeding. We need to stop criticizing each other and ask, how can we be more supportive of another mom.
It's a blessing to even be able to be a mom...
Because she has had one baby, she is now an expert and feels that she can give advice????Come on, maybe she can come walk a mile in my shoes and then tell me how easy it is to breatfeed. These stars really need to think about what they are saying prior to the words coming out.
Gee Gisele, THANKS A LOT! I gave birth to 3 babies and was unable to breastfeed due to lack of milk...would your new law require that I have let my babies starve instead???? Never had an opinion about you....now I do! (Not a good one either)
Chemicals huh? How about that hair dye you use to highlight that lovely head of hair Gisele? The makeup you put on your face? Don't you think those are filled with chemicals? They get into your system and therefore into your breastmilk. Are you growing your own food? Not going out in public-public places use chemicals to clean, chemicals to control rodents and insects. Are you sure everything you put into your mouth is without exposure to chemicals? REALITY check. Some of us watched what we put into our mouths and still gained weight...try being put on bed rest for 8 months? Or how about being put on medication to stop an early labor? Think you could give birth to a 9+ pound baby without some medicinal intervention? Not everyone is capable of breast feeding. It's great you have been able to but don't judge others if they are unable to. You maybe beautiful, you maybe the highest paid model in the world but you haven't a clue about being kind human being.
WELL SAID!!!!!!!!
I have an idea Gisele...why don't you leave the decision making up to the mother and doctor to decide what's best for their particular situation.
Just because a mother does not want to breastfeed is really no one's business. Some people on this site are no different than Gisele Bundchen i.e. Benson. I'm certain if a woman wanted to breastfeed she would ask qualified people. Everyone seems to be an authority on almost every topic these days. There still is freedom of choice isn't there?
Wow. I guess there should also be a law about being completely informed before opening your mouth to speak your mind. While we're at it... let's make a few more laws shall we? How about a law stating ignorant opinions are punishable by chinese finger torture. A law stating fashion models can only comment on fashion topics. And a law that outlaws peolpe suggesting stupid laws unless you are a lawyer helping to reform already stupid laws. Whew. Ok... I'm done. 🙂
Hahaha...couldn't agree more!!!!!!!!
Gisele should shut up. If you can breastfeed, do it. If you can't or chose not to, don't let anyone make you feel guilty. Your child will fine with formula. Don't believe all the anti-formula propaganda. It's hard enough being a new mom without all the guilt about breastfeeding!
She had ONE child and now she think she has the baby duties down packed, yoo hooo...but don't try to dictate to others what they should do, breastfeeding may not be for everybody..the nerve of her!...
Who asked the b
????????
I would guess that most people know that breast milk is very healthy for a baby, but MOST people know that there are no absolutes in life!! There are a host of reasons why this is not always possible (as stated numerous times in these posts). To state that it should be a "world-wide law" that a mother must breast-feed her child for 6 months only shows how ignorant and/or naive she is being. A 7 month mother in training does not an expert make!! Hopefully, with time and age, she'll be more wiser and diplomatic!!
Milk... it does a Brady good!
GO PATRIOTS!
Some of these comments are hilarious but I think that's my favourite!
It sounds to me like many of the women posting here didn't have much support. They also believed that if they could only PUMP a couple ounces, then that is all their baby was getting. You will never be able to pump as much as your breast produces. A baby's sucking motion is different than even the best pump, and that is why they are able to get more. Do not fall for the pumping trap if you are new to breastfeeding. Pumps really complicate breastfeeding, and unless you have to use one, don't go there. It is completely normal to have several days, especially in the first 2-3 months where you do nothing but nurse your baby. That's how they increase your supply. Most people think if they can pump and give the baby one big feeding, then they can get a break, but then your body is prepping for the larger milk supply your baby will need and you are unwittingly skipping out on the process.
I have 3 kids 3, 9, 13 and did not breastfeed any of them for various reasons. First one I was 18 yrs old and just not comfortable with it, and the most important reason for all 3 being bottle babies....DADDY TIME!!! He loved nothing more than being able to step in and have those moments with the kids when they were little. All 3 are healthy, happy kids who have never suffered any effects from never being breastfed. Law shmaw, I'd like to see "Gisele the Great" or any one else for that matter try to come to MY home and enforce it!
I get where she's coming from for being all pro about this, but like many other things it's a personal choice and claiming it should be LAW, well that's just going a little bit too far and makes her just sound stupid.
Ok...she has a right to her opinion but not all of us can breast feed. I tried but my children just couldn't latch on, and I tried for weeks. I decided, with the help of my doctor, that i would rather have them eat than not. Let her have her opinion, most mothers would like to breast feed but for those that can't, our children will be fine. All we care about are healthy children, right? I am sure she does too!!
"She is beautiful, intelligent and clearly a lovely person." - Li
"She is beautiful..." - OK, I'll agree she is an attractive woman by societal standards.
" She is ... intelligent.." - She has done nothing to really demonstrate this to be the truth, including making blanket, hurtful statements...
"She is ... clearly a lovely person." - I'm sure the mother of Tom Brady's first baby (wasn't she pregnant when he an Gisele started dating?) feels differently. Why do you think she is a lovely person? Are you her relative? Are you basing your opinion on her physical appearance? There are many psychology experiments that focus on this phenomenon...
Agreed, Joe ~ Clearly she was not insulting anyone. She was simply making a statement to express how much she is an advocate for it. Some of these comments are really hurtful and full of anger and hatred. She is beautiful, intelligent and clearly a lovely person. I hope she her and her family are blessed with many more children if they so choose.
Wow... you must know her really well. (eyeroll)
This is great that a beautiful model encourages moms to not only take care of themselves, but especially of their babies. She is merely expressing an opinion, a healthy alternative.....relax people. I can appreciate her acting as such an amazing role model encouraging healthy behaviors....and healthy, smarter children through breastfeeding and healthy eating. Sure, she knows....and we all know this will never become a law, but nice that she is putting her self out there to encourage moms to breastfeed. The breast is best. Sure not all moms can nurse, she is not condemning them. She is merely stating an opinion, a healthy alternative to the bottle–to help a mom's figure and encourage a baby's health and development. Nice that a celebrity finally does something good for society, something good to help children.
"Sure not all moms can nurse, she is not condemning them. " –Joe
Suggesting the creation of a mandatory breast feeding law, with its implied consequences, sounds like condemnation to me.
She wanted to breastfeed her baby? Good for her. But to say there should be a law? What ignorance. Yes, it's very healthy for the baby, but there are many women who are unable to BF. I know women who couldn't, women who chose not to and those who did. These are very personal choices and no one should be judged for making them. Implying that you want your child to consume chemicals if you choose formula? I lost weight when I was born because my mom's milk wasn't good and had to be formula-fed. Suddenly some famous person has a kid and dishes out all-knowing maternal advice. Please.
Hats off to her for doing what she wants for her baby, but she really needs to let each family decide what is the best way to feed THEIR baby. Of course she could spend countless hours with her baby attached to her breast because she did not have to work outside the home or INSIDE the home (cooking, cleaning toilets, laundry, grocery shopping, caring for others, caring for pets, and everything else involved in keeping a household running). Also, when a baby is bottle fed, others get to bond with the baby – mainly daddy. What a special time for a dad to bond with his child....
OK...she was given a fourm, a platform, and she did preface all of this with, "In my opinion"...so who cares? Insults really are not necessary. She merely told us how she felt. BIG DEAL.
To all the women who keep calling Giselle an idiot or other derogatory terms. You really should consider reapplying those terms to other... Like yourselves. I have done more work with the merits of breastfeeding than any of you can imagine. Breastfeeding IS best even the formula manufactures say so. There are very few cases where a woman can not breast feed. Most of you have VERY LAME excuses for not breast feeding. I too think there should be a law that deals with breastfeeding.
Also I wonder why some many group being dumb with being a model?
It's nobody's business whether or not a woman chooses to breastfeed. What do you mean "weak excuses" for not breastfeeding? How do you know they're weak excuses? Until you walk a mile in another person's shoes STFU. I can't stand judgemental people like you....get off your high horse.
Hello! I couldn't breastfeed as my son was in NICU-the reason he was there was because the first four days of his life I was on life support! I had a gallstone,needed gallbladder surgery at 30 weeks gestation then had an inflamed pancreas and went into Adult respiratory distress and gained 20lbs of fluid-had an emergency c-section,developed sepsis,blood clot and MRSA in my gallbladder incision. Despite my wanting to nurse he never latched on and was formula feed upon discharge at 6 weeks old. I know I gave an extreme birth story but you need to realize things happen and sometimes just surviving birth (both mother and child) is enough and formula is a life saver
It's too bad that more medical help isn't provided to the moms that have troubles nursing their newborn. So many more moms would be breastfeeding right now if they had access to lactation consultants or were surrounded by other women who were successful with breastfeeding. Some arguments I am seeing here are: "some women cannot produced enough milk". That figure is around 1% of women. Some say that C-sections or poor latches sabotaged their chance to make enough milk. Even if a mom's milk supply completely dried up there are ways to bring it back up (herbal supplements, medications like Reglan, etc). Try reading a book by Dr. Newman, the nation's #1 breastfeeding expert (who is also a pediatrician). Anything is possible!: Even adopted newborns can be breastfed, 3 week olds can learn to latch on, and babies with cleft palate/lip or tongue ties can be breastfed. Moms can pump at work (I've known moms who've successfully done that for a long time). Like I said, I just wish more help was available to new moms out there.
"Yes, there are some issues (medicine, cancer) that make it impossible to nurse, but for all others mothers milk is supply and demand and if you choose to supplement the first week of your child's life (like many women due), your body will not get the cues from baby to supply and you will end up not being able to meet the demand."
This is not true. It's statements like this that make women who don't produce enough milk (like ME) feel deficient. You are a holier-than-thou idiot just like this woman. The only thing she's an expert on is underwear and her own children - not mine.
Stupid. I was never breast fed and am perfectly healthy, along with many other people I know. To make something like that mandatory is absolutely ridiculous.
It should be mandatory to feed that cry-baby Tom Brady breast milk though.
Physically I could not breast feed....wow. Imprisoned or outcast because of that? I agree with the morning news commentators–Gisele, shut up and model.
Why are we arguing over what a model said? She gets paid millions for mindless, dispensable work, where I'm sure she was able to take months of maternity leave (until she lost all her baby weight, right?). I'm sure breast feeding was part of her weight loss regimen, and that's why she is so passionate about it.
If she truly cared for the well-being and health of all babies, then she would not have stolen a father away from his baby when she stole Tom Brady from Bridget Moynahan and their child. I think there should be a law against stealing a baby's dady!
I breast fed my baby longer than Gisele did. Does that mean I get to tell her what to do? I also have a REAL job that is INDISPENSABLE, and it was rough making everything fall into place. Maybe since Gisele has so much time an money we can get her to fund this breast feeding law, and have her financially subsidize all maternity leave for mothers who are going to stay home and breast feed for 6 months!!
I completely agree with you. I wish rich, spoiled, celebrities would just shut up about things like this. It's all fine and good that she was able to breastfeed but she has offended the women who can't or chose not to. People like her are from another planet and they don't have a clue.
There is absolutely no doubt that breastfeeding your kids (if you can!) is the VERY best thing you can do for them from a health point of view (and quite possibly psychologically as well!). All the snide remarks here only point to pure jealousy and envy for someone who has made it big in the world in a way, most women can only dream of.
Oh these green-eyed bi***es coming out, disgusting.
Are you really a father? Congratulations. However, unless you gave birth to a baby yourself, and have breasts to breast feed, I do not think your opinion carries much weight.
I know plenty of people that have been breastfed and are more immune to sickness than I am. I was never breastfed and have no health problems at all. I am not a scientist and I don't think you are either but I feel that it depends on the person being breastfed when deciding whether or not it helps. If you think it will help, more power to you. If you don't think it makes a difference, then buy formula. End of story.
ScottyV have to agree with you:
Are all you "angry moms" out there, really DUMB enough to believe she means that even if you can't breastfeed for medical reasons, that you should be punished as well? Morons. It's obvious she means that IF YOU CAN, YOU SHOULD. God you people are so hateful you even hate people trying to spread the word about the best care for children.
I'm a mom who breastfed her first child for 3 months because I had to go back to work, and my 2nd child refused to nurse after 6 months. She has good intentions that most ignorant comments here are blowing completely out of proportion. Give it a rest. This is what is wrong with the world today. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Obviously your mother didn't teach you manners.
No...most of us don't care about her opinion one way or another. We just think she is an annoying, self righteous, half-wit who is yet another celebrity to spout off their vacant opinions. I can't speak for the rest, but that's what really bugs me. There are so many breastfeeding advocates out there who are borderline crazy....and it really baffles me. It's fine if you want to breastfeed but don't make other mother's feel inadequate because they choose not to. Mind your own business!!!
What if you cannot breastfeed because of a physical problem? It is the best thing for the baby but I have two bottle-fed babies who are doing fantastic!!!
What is it with the breast-feeding militants – these arguments are not genuinely about what's best for the baby and baby's family, but about do it my way or else!so you can validate me!. That's called bullying – is your baby happy and thriving and everyone is sleeping at night? Then you're doing it right, if not, change something. Yes, sacrifice and discomfort are part of parenthood, but it isn't the default position, so if breastfeeding isn't going well and you've sought help, give that kitten a bottle and live your life. All the false piety regarding breastfeeding is beyond annoying, it's destructive group think. and sadly a ploy for attention and affirmation. Telling a woman that she's an inferior mother (to you, which is essentially what you're saying if you breastfeed and condemn another woman who doesn't) is the dysfunction here. Reject the kool-aid delivery system, not a person's choice of milk delivery system. Sheesh.
Giselle: You're a dingbat. Stick with modeling and skip the interviews. Stop embarrassing yourself.
@Wendy She couldn't embarrass herself anymore than you do. SHE is right! It is the best for the children, but you obviously aren't bright enough to understand that.
I agree with Wendy. To "the father".... please stop telling people they are ignorant. You obviously are judgemental and know nothing about the act of breastfeeding.....so until you grow boobs please refrain from your silly comments
I am all for breastfeeding. I breastfed all three of my children and total support the movement. I believe breast is always best! BUT unfortunately some women do not produce enough milk or any milk to sustain breastfeeding...So I think making it a law is ridiculous. But I think more women should choose to breastfeed their babies, it is much, much better for you and your baby!
@ Maria Right on!
When people are too stupid to breastfeed, or, lack information about breastfeeding, or get little or no support for breastfeeding, you see the results on this forum, Ignorant, poorly informed mothers/medical professionals spouting rhetroic. Truth is breast feeing support groups offer advice on "overcoming difficulties" It would be wise for those who want to breast feed to educate yourself, find a support group well before you have a baby. Because in truth, without this kind of help, there is little hope for breast feeding mothers.
How about a law that supermodels shouldn't speak?! Pose for your pretty pic and spend time with your son, instead of running to any literary outlet that will listen to you.
I give credit to any mom that can breast feed. I think if that is the choice they made, that's wonderful. I didn't. I tried and tried, I'd cry, my son would cry, and I thought, is this what being a mom is about, or is it enjoying my son's first months of life, with a happy mom that doesn't feel so insecure and tired? I was extremely healthy during my pregnancy and my son is a very healthy little boy and in daycare.... oh yes, I know some will read this and say.. oh my you have him in daycare! Don't forget a lot of the studies out there about breastfeeding being so healthy and your child doesn't get as sick, are skewed. Mother's that usually feed exclusively don't have children in daycare, so of course they don't get as sick, however, when they get to kindergarden they do! Breastfed kids in daycare still had children getting ear tubes, getting sick, etc. As for IQ, do you remember when you were in middle school taking an IQ test and checking a box on whether you were breastfed or not?
We are women and we should support each other, not cut each other down for just doing things that we think are best for our children.
However, I'm not taking advice from an immoral woman. Giselle if it's such a concern, just donate money to a lactation clinic privately and try to help women, not act as if you are so perfect. If I remember correctly, you split up two parents of a little boy. I think if the child could choose, he would rather have his dad with his mom, than be breastfed!
(Bosna i Hercegovina) Zenica 72000 BULEVAR KULINA BANA 3
haloou
The morning after we brought my son home from the hospital, he wouldn't wake up, he was so lethargic, my husband clapped his hands, yelled in his ear, but he wouldn't respond and I was scared to death. I took my son into his wonderful pediatrician and was instructed to supplement him with formula because he wasn't getting enough breastmilk to eat and because of the lack of nutrition his jaundice was getting worse. So, on top of what I could get out by pumping, I also gave him formula. The next day I took him back in to get checked and he was almost 100% better. He put on 5 ounces, his jandice was looking better and he was so much more alert. I continued supplementing and pumping and after about 3 weeks I went straight to formula. A year later when I had my second son I told the nurses in the hospital that on top of breastfeeding, I wanted to supplement with formula because there was no way I was going to have my new little boy go through what his big brother went through. For a month, my new boy got breastmilk and formula, then went straight to formula. And you know what, they are big and healthy and strong, and that occurred with breastmilk and formula. Every parent wants to do what's right for their baby and the people that need to make that choice are the parents. And lastly my friend had 2 c-sections because her babies wouldn't get into position. Does that make her a lesser woman because she needed "someone else to get the baby out..."? I don't think so.
She's right, really. While I don't agree it should be a law...I get her point. It should be strongly encouraged. And if you can't actually nurse, consider pumping milk for bottles. Mom's milk is literally tailored to her child's needs. Moms of preemies have milk that is higher in fat/calories and helps them develop under-developed systems. There will always be special cases of food allergies, moms who are required to take medication that would be passed to the child, etc. But it would be best if we got to the point that nursing was the norm and bottles were for the exceptional cases.
I think it should be a law that she has to suck my...
Hahahahahah....love it.
NUTCASE. I second that motion. Shove a football in her mouth to shut her up. What an idiot!
I think it should be a law that "Super Models" should STFU and sit there and look pretty. That's what their Job is right? Maybe if I had three time superbowl winning quarterback husband and millions of dollars to hire a boatload of nannies, maids, gardeners, PR team, Publicist, etc., etc., ad naseum then I could have spent more time breastfeeding my children too.
That's the thing when you live in the clouds, you loose touch with the "little people" down below you. Seriously, Get a grip on Real Life, Gisele, and Mind your own business.
To my fellow "Little Women" don't listen to some snob of a model, who's only claim to fame is her husband and her looks tell you what's best for YOU and Your Baby. People like this have no clue, and never will. Walking a mile in someone else shoes and all that.
I could not breast feed. My son was born with congenital heart disease. He did not eat until he was 3 months old. By then I could not produce any more milk. I received alot of criticism for not pumping until he was ready. It was my choice, and much more important to me, to stay by his bedside and be with him as I watched him struggle to survive then run off every few hours and pump. I should not be made to feel guilty because I was in an unfortunate situation. And I should not be penalized in any way for my choice.
Although I'm sorry for your sons condition, I'm shocked that simply choose not to pump and provide your son the breast milk once he was able to feed from a bottle or even your breast? All studies/research show it's the best.
what makes her an expert on childbirth and furthermore I cant stand famous people who think that because they had a baby they are mother of the year or some sort of expert.
So, thats all fine and easy to say "make breastfeeding a law" but what about those of us who weren't able to breastfeed? I personally dealt with so much pain and guilt over my inability to breastfeed due to physical reasons and I think it is unfair to but so much weight on Mother's who are already dealing with a huge amount of stress and emotion. Breastfeeding to me was so painful, I had to stop after trying to MAKE it work for 2 weeks. I finally came to the realization that by forcing something that was coming so unnaturally, I was creating stress and anxiety in myslef and my new born son. I switched to formula and began to bond so much faster and smoother with him. I just want to let other Mother;s know that the guilt you feel is real and justified if you can't breastfeed and to do what is right for you and your baby.
And what governing body does Ms. Genius think would legislate this potential "law."
Also, not all women feel the need to be Super Mom. I will try to BF my hypothetical children, but if it's not the best fit for me or my schedule, I refuse to feel guilted by the Mother-of-the-year types. Do what's best for your family, regardless of what that choice is.
What a dummy she is! Who cares what these stupid celebrities think???
I am so sick and tired of people forcing things like breastfeeding.... I was unable to!! My 6 week old son almost DIED cause I was only breastfeeding him and little did I know he wasn't getting but MAYBE an ounce each time. He had to spend a week in the hospital classified as "failure to thrive". My body was the failure. I don't produce enough for a baby to survive on. So when I had my daughter I didn't even attempt it as I knew I wouldn't produce. I HATED going places and being told that was doing wrong by my child because I didn't breastfeed... People didn't even take the time to find out my story before they jumped and made me feel like crap.
I nursed my daughter for 7 months– she is now almost 13. I just recently had a son and due to my thyroid disease I was not producing nearly enough milk for him to thrive– He developed a nasty case of breastfeeding jaundice in his first week of life. Sometimes you can and sometimes you can't - Do what is best for you and your baby.
I think gisele needs to shut up and sit down!!! Uve been a mother all of 8 months!! Ok, I understand breastfeeding is suppose to be the best way but ig don't feel its necessary! I have FOUR children 14,9,4,3 and I didn't breastfeed any of them. They didn't get ear infections, they don't get sick. My oldest two make great grades and my youngest two r very smart. They know their colors,shapes,how to spell their name,know how to speak different languages! I think breatfeeding is great for tthose who want to do that. If they don't. That is also fine! Stick to modeling and saying stupid things!!!!!!!
Hmm...what I think is everyone needs to stop judging. Its great to have an opinion and to advocate for your belief, that is what is great about our country. But its not right to expect that everyone must do something because that is what you personally think is best and condemn those that do not follow it to the letter. Essentially that goes against what we have built our country on and you would be crushing that spirit.
Instead of worrying about how a child is fed, maybe it would be better to make sure a child is well taken care of. I breastfed and supplemented with formula for 2 months working with the dr. and a lactation consultant, I'm perfectly heathly but just wasn't providing my baby girl with enough nutrition to help her gain weight like she was supposed to. I know the health benefits of breast feeding so we worked hard but I also understood that you have to do what is right for the health of the child. What would really be nice would be if people would support you no matter how you chose to feed your child as long as you were taking great care of them.
Stop Judging and start supporting mom's no matter what, its a wonderful and hard job and we deserve all the support we can get.
Breastfeeding is best for your baby. If for some reason you can't then you can’t. But if you can and don't then that's another story. Breast feeding has so many advantages... Do it for the children.
Sigh.....another guy trying to tell women what is "best". Until you grow boobs and breastfeed STFU.
Hate to break this to you "mother of the year." but not all women can breastfeed. As for making it a law, there are a lot of other things more important to deal with in the world than that.
Thanks Gisele for your "advice." I understand that breastfeeding is best, but unfortunately I could not because I was diagnosed with breast cancer in the last month of my pregnancy. My daughter was formula fed and is now 12 and an honor student at middle school. Breastfeeding, certainly, is a personal decision and should remain as such.
You're an idiot. Stick to modeling...
I truly do have sympathy for those women who wanted to but for a variety of reasons could not breastfeed. However, I think this is about a lack of knowledgable and supportive breastfeeding society as a whole. Too many doctors and even nurses offering advice – most often wrong does not help women. Hospitals feed on a two hour schedule and if you are unable to get a baby to latch they quickly push a bottle on you. Supply issues are very easily remedied in most cases – when you work with a LACTATION SPECIALIST. Make no mistake it can be HARD work to get it right – but once you do it is the easiest and most natural way to feed our children. It breaks my heart when I hear so many moms who wanted to but couldn't. Let's try to get better support to prevent others from having to needlessly give up!
For the women who have medical issues and could not breastfeed – you, know what a miracle your little one is. 100 years ago that baby probably would not have been a possibility (as a type 1 daibetic mine is a miracle,too). Let's find joy in that event and stop being so sensitive to how you feed your miracle.
I do not have sympathy for those who hate on the breastfeeders. If you chose not to breastfeed – live with that choice, but you can not deny the evidence that it is the perfect food.
More support to make it easier for more Moms!
It is shocking to me how many people on here feel they should have a say in how others raise their children. How does my life affect you? What are your qualifications and where did you come up with this information? Well my life doesn't affect you. I guarantee your qualifications if you have any at all wouldn't be high enough that you should be giving out advice, especially since that information is out dated. What you're really doing is trying to pass your own opinions off as fact. So the question is why do people feel the need to impose their opinions and beliefs on others? Well, with Gisele, she's another celebrity that believes she is all important and in her mind the world of course wants to hear every fascinating word she has to say especially now that she's had a child and is clearly an expert. I know I certainly look to celebrities for wisdom. Sadly many of you are just like her. A major character defect. Those of you who are telling us that breast feeding is the only way, the best way, the right way, are absolutely not qualified to make those statements. Not to mention it simply isn't true. It may be your opinion but it isn't a fact. There is new information out there and it's only accurate if you state all sides if you're trying to pass your opinions off as facts that's irresponsible. It's great to hear others opinions but many of you cross the line by insulting everyone else who doesn't believe what you believe and do what you do. Personally when I see that I know you are not concerned with helping anyone or hearing others or learning anything new. Your goal is to feel important and to let everyone know just how right you are. Personally I'd rather tell my fellow Moms that it's ok to breast feed or formula feed. Do not allow anyone to make you feel bad for your choice. Educate yourself by finding updated information on both sides from unbiased sources. Don't believe people who say you only get that special bond by breast feeding. I've done both and feeding time is bonding time whether it's a bottle or a breast. It is unfortunate that a lot of Moms on here are so critical of other Moms. Some people choose to be a source of ridicule and others choose to be a source of comfort.
I agree that no mother should feel badly for choices a mother makes, but seriously there is indisputable scientific evidence that breastmilk is best. Not at all "opinion". However, we live in a modern world that lacks the support for many woman to do this. Thank GOD we have formula because the alternative would be FAR worse.
There are many decisions that parents are allowed to make regarding the upbringing of their children, and that includes how they choose to fed them. If you all believe so strongly in forcing women to breastfeed, do you also want to come into my home when I have toddlers, school age children, teenagers and look into my pantry to tell me what I can feed my children? Why should it stop there? why not tell me what I can ingest into my own body as well? I appreciate that many women find satisfaction in breast feeding, but just as choosing to have a child is a personal decision, whether or not to breastfeed is also a personal decision, and no one deserves to be rediculed for breast feeding or not breast feeding. I have no desire to breast feed, I may chnage my mind at a later date, but that is my decision.
Actress,actor,or any celebrities tes you've become parent ...bravo. You should not have the right to judge or put anything into law if you don't understand or lived like ordinary people. Post-depression, work,career,medical condition for the child or mother, and personnel choice should be consider ... Law does not fix everything.... Education does.
Normal parent are not in your situation ... They can' t sleep in the afternoon, workout daily, take care of everyone and still go out.. Please respect everyone ability and choice. Natural labor is not for everyone.. That is why doctor and midwife should work together to take the best decision for mother and child People make choice and that is the force of our country...
Celebrities should learn to shut-up... And not speak "au travers leurs chapeau"
Tom Cruise is the second best example.
Educate them for healthy eating it is better for the all family in the long run. AND I don't mean organic, local if possible.
To breastfeed or not to breastfeed is a highly personal matter. Glad it worked for her, however, it isn't the best thing for all new mothers.
Actress,actor,or any celebrities tes you've become parent ...bravo. You should not have the right to judge or put anything into law if you don't understand or lived like ordinary people. Post-depression, work,career,medical condition for the child or mother, and personnel choice should be consider ... Law does not fix everything.... Education does.
Normal parent are not in your situation ... They can' t sleep in the afternoon, workout daily, take care of everyone and still go out.. Please respect everyone ability and choice. Natural labor is not for everyone.. That is why doctor and midwife should work together to take the best decision for mother and child People make choice and that is the force of our country...
Celebrities should learn to shut-up...
Educate them for healthy eating it is better for the all family in the long run. AND I don't mean organic, local if possible.
My mouth is agape. This woman is so out of touch. I am happy that everything has been so easy and wonderful for her but come on, this is not reality. Hypo plastic breast syndrome... that's me, no milk whatsoever. Pumping and medication and putting babe to breast every hour did not produce milk. The shame and guilt and disappointment over not being able to DO THE VERY BEST for my child resulted in depression. Society imposes this ideal and if we don't meet it we are bad mothers.
Clearly this woman put little thought into her statement...such a shame we are subjected to this kind of crap..
Thanks for the slug Giselle. I will never be as good as you.. Happy now?
The more she opens her mouth, the more I can't stand her! I agree breastfeeding is the healthiest way, however, not everyone can breastfeed. It must be nice to be rich enough to not have to work everyday and to be able to have everything and everyone at your disposal! She is a judgmental jerk that has no skills beyond her body!
She jst said sumtn she believs is right for d wel being of every child,buy it if u want n lev it if u dont n stop calln ha names cos d law has not bin made yet.wot nonsense
Wow... obviously not a breastfed baby, huh Chinenye?
As highly educated as this woman may be (god knows she has the money), she really needs to learn how to speak in public...while her statement wasn't intended to offend, it did. All she really had to do is change her words to recommend that every mother breastfeed if possible. But too many people in this world have half-assed opinions based upon someone elses words. Have any of you actually done the research to discover the benefits breastfeeding has over formula?
Science can be and is a wonderful thing. For one thing, breast fed babies are generally more obese than formula fed...ohhhh, maybe it has something to do with the child obesity epidemic in america!!! no, not really...but the cattle will follow when the celebrity/"physician" says it...
Many mothers here have chastized one way or the other...whatever, make your choice, do what's best for your child...stop feeding them twinkies and soda...personally educate them, stop waiting for the public school systems to do it for you...lose your own weight, learn to be physical, teach your children to be physical...a healthy child is made that way by their parents ability to feed them healthy food...that's real physical food, not formula or breast milk...teach them physical activity, and provide a solid education.
I commend you, Gisele, for bringing breatfeeding back into the limelight. While I wouldn't make breastfeeding a law (would be difficult to enforce...), governments in countries where breastfeeding rates are pathetically low should put a tax on forumla or put a law in place where stores are not allowed to advertise formula or offer it on sale for babies less than 6 months old (currently the case in The Netherlands). These measures are in place to encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies until they are at least 6 months old. The Netherlands also has a law that requires employers to allow a breastfeeding employee to pump or express milk for her baby (1/4 of her work day) until the baby is 9 months old. Another way to encourage more Moms to breastfeed is to give a tax incentive (health insurance break) to Moms who breastfeed exclusively (determined during well-baby checkups). Perhaps something President Obama should seriously consider! We also shouldn't lose sight of the duration of pregnancy and maternity leave (or lack of) in some of the world's developed countries. The US government currently does not offer much support to (working) Moms. As soon as this major issue has been addressed, I think breastfeeding rates will drastically improve. One should not underestimate the power fomula companies wield. I compare them to the tobacco industry. While forumla may not be "addictive", advertisements make breast milk seem inferior to formula. Pediatricians and government-mandated programs need to raise awareness of the benefits of (long-term) eclusive breastfeeding.
All I have to say is that I'm adopted, and so is my brother. We were pre-arranged adoptions, aka adopted as infants. So, breastfeeding was not an option. Or, at least, not an easy one. Making it a "law"? That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. What would women who adopt do? Find someone to breastfeed their child for them? How do you know for sure what that person is eating? I'd rather put "chemicals" (formula) in my baby than someone elses breastmilk, unless of course I was allowed to follow her around 24/7 and made sure she wasn't snorting coke. If you think it's best for YOUR baby to breastfeed, then fantastic, have at it. I have zero problem with breastfeeding. However, neither my brother nor I were breastfed, and shockingly enough, we've not turned into mutants. Well, except the fact that I've got fins and he glows blue (when Orcs are close).
6.5 Billion people on the planet and 6.5 Billion opinions but none the less it should be a world wide law? Betcha she loves your Obama since he displays a similar narrow view on many issues. I have little tolerance for someone of this ilk as our family experienced an issue related to this story. My wife was physically unable to brestfeed our 2 children, so they were raised on formula. A cousin of mine is a breastfeeding advocate (I hate that word) and she ripped my wife at a family gathering for "killing" our children (her words) right in front of everyone. She is no longer welcome in our home since she displayed then and continues to display now no respect for our situation. To her we should have gotten a wet nurse, no other option was legitimate in her view. It is about respect everyone and for people like this person who has so little respect for anyone who is not like her I say she is the one who needs a lesson on tolerance and understanding.
Wow, what an ignorant comment, I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t look to models for all of my healthcare questions. How uninformed does someone have to be to make such an outrageous statement?! There are so many reasons why a woman might be unable to breastfeed. Some women do not produce enough to breastfeed exclusively,
many necessary medications do not allow a women to breastfeed, many babies will not take from the breast no matter the assistance from a lactation consultant, some women cannot express with the assistance of a pump and many women’s work schedules will not allow and I’m sure there are many other reasons why a women might be unable breastfeed. Breastfeeding is second nature to some women and their babies take to it wonderfully and will never be able to comprehend the completely trying, difficult and heartbreaking journey that breastfeeding can be for other women! I went into a deep depression after I tried everything I possibly could for months to breastfeed, but was just unable to feed my daughter the adequate amount of food myself. It was devastating and I would have dealt with it so much better without everyone assuming things and unfairly judging me. The first thing someone seems to ask you with a newborn is if you are breastfeeding. If you tell them no, the way they make you feel is as if you’ve failed and don’t care as much about your child’s health than a mother who is breastfeeding. I constantly felt like I had to tell the entire painstaking, horribly emotional process to everyone and nothing drained me more! I certainly understand why people should encourage mother’s to breastfeed, but people also need to stop judging mother’s who aren’t, you have no idea why they may not be breastfeeding. Mother’s should receive education about the benefits of breastfeeding, but also support if they have chosen for whatever reason not to breastfeed, every mother deserves encouragement no matter what, not to be criticized for such a personal decision. Don’t make them feel like a mother who cares one bit less than a breastfeeding mother, nothing hurts more than that. I was riddled with unnecessary guilt and cried more over the way people made me feel over something I wish more than anything I could have changed, but I couldn’t help. It’s comments like Gisele’s that do no real good and only add to the problem.
The stupidity of a lot of these comments are sad and ultimately ridiculous. I had cancer, I have gland problems, my breasts are raisins incapable of producing much more than a dry puff of death, etc. She's a mother, and she has a strong character that journalists gravitate towards - she talks about what she knows and what she thinks is important or right. I think if given the chance, she'd realize that making it the law is overstepping it by a stretch, but for chrissakes, its hyperbole she thinks she's doing good and maybe she is. She is saying eat healthy, exercise, and feed the baby with what you were given, if you were given it. For a little soundbite (with a supermodel's exaggerated flair), I think that's a little more than this side of positive, yes? The rest of you, who are stopping short of posting photo essays to demonstrate how well your Enfamil offspring have sprung, maybe you need to go deal with some (irrational) internal guilt and not blame others for tapping into it on our way to the wealth of opinions that is the internet.
It's a golden way to keep women where they belong, isn't it? That is to say, as feeding-troughs and broodsows for the next generation of planet-destroying human parasites. My mom didn't breastfeed me, my brother, or my sisters, and we all grew up just fine, thanks. Keep your would-be laws off my damn gender.
Oh great. Another filthy rich person with a nanny, and an assistant, telling people how to raise their kids. No doubt, she'll be putting out a book shortly. Next.
How would they enforce such a law?
I breastfed my first child for a full year. My second was only breastfed for a couple of months due to my personal health problems where my milk dried up and wouldn't come back in. With both, I made barely enough milk and never had any to store, regardless of what I did to increase my supply. Both are growing up to be happy, healthy kids.
That's a good point, how WOULD then enforce such a law? Put ankle monitors on babies (much like alcohol monitors on people who get DUIs)?
i say make showing boobs a law..
OMG michael!! You sound just like my husband Michael!! My hubby at least knows that it is cheaper and healthier to breast feed. If a woman chooses to use formula or cannot breastfeed then it is her choice. I really don't think that you understand the purpose of this, or maybe I don't... It really is not about money as much as it is choice and the freedoms of being able to raise your children the way that you want. If breastfeeding VS. formula is all about the $$ aspect, then I propose that now is not a good time in your life to have a child. As we all know they are expensive!!!
nice of her to keep us abreast.
I'm tired of hearing about how great breastfeeding is. If you want to do it, fine. If not, then stop cramming it down others throats who don't want to do it and try to make them feel guilty. I also believe there should be special rooms for breastfeeding moms. I don't want to sit in a restaurant and see some kid hanging on a mother's boobs. Women like to expose themself and this is a reason to do it. Feed the kid BEFORE you go out so it isn't hungry. I had an abundance of breastmilk and the nurses made me feel guilty in the hospital if I didn't breastfeed, so I did and as soon as I went home, my babies got the bottle. And they turned out just fine.
I, too, wish there were breastfeeding/nursing rooms for Moms in public areas and restaurants. Moms would be more willing to nurse in these special rooms than to nurse in public.
I wish there were special rooms too, that way when my baby gets hungry (even though I just fed her twenty minutes ago) I wouldn't have to deal with looks of veiled disdain and disgust when I breastfeed her. I don't take any excuse to expose myself, I try to keep covered up as much as possible, usually I will use a baby blanket to cover, but I still get those annoying looks, mostly from men. Guess what, I can't afford formula (those of you saying she can "afford to breastfeed' have no idea what you are talking about) this is my solution.
Typical limousine liberal. It’s easy if you have 100+ million to preach about the utopian way to raise children, but out here in the real world it’s a little different. Half our money goes to the thieves in Washington, and the other half goes to food and bills. If you have anything left after that feel lucky you are in the top 20% of Americans.
Umm... breast milk is free
I believe that hot young supermodel mothers should be required to breastfeed their babies in public at all times, without any clothing, as it is more natural and beneficial for early mother-child bonding, and that Gisele Bundchen should be the vanguard of the law's enactment. There. I said it. Its not like it didn't cross your mind already.
I would love to be breastfeed by Gisele!
...and I turned out fine.
I understand that Gisele is concerned about preggo women consuming the proper foods for their pregnancy, but some women CANNOT BREASTFEED. My mother didn't breastfeed with my brother at 21 and didn't breastfeed with me at 36. She didn't not want to, she was physically incapable. And I am sympathizing with the women who cannot because of surgery here too.
I'm sure she means well. But formulas are perfectly fine for newborns whose mothers cannot breastfeed. The most important thing is a healthy pregnancy and a good lifestyle for the son or daughter afterwards.
Making a law won't work but how about ensuring the right level of support in the hospital for new moms, to encourage them and make sure they are successful in breastfeeding. Instead, let's make it illegal for drug companies to have hospitals do their bidding by handing out free sample formula to new moms when the baby is just hours old! The formula business is BIG business. Breastfeeding, once you get the hang of it, is much easier and cheaper, not to mention WAY healthier. I am glad Gisele raises this important issue and encourage readers to stop pitting women against each other. 500 years ago there were no drug companies to come to the rescue. Women relied on other women (wet nurses) to save their babies when they could not produce milk. We need more support systems, not formula pushers.
I agree with you 100%. Formula companies have been so successful in pushing their products (in pediatrician offices, maternity wards, etc.) that society has accepted formula as the norm for babies and view breastfeeding as old-fashioned, inferior, and time-consuming. I am not against bottle feeding. Bottles allow breastfeeding Moms to continue their careers. What is important is what goes in the bottle...
I find it refreshing to find someone who values and depends on her body to make a living, promoting breastfeeding. I hear a lot of women say they don't want their breasts to sag and all of the other bull that they have been force fed. The truth is it is better for the child. If you can breast feed, by all means take advantage of it for you child's health and your bond with that child. But a law? Come on now Giselle, there are many women out there who can't breastfeed for medical reasons. Either way, that is her opinion. I happen to thank my husband's ex for not breastfeeding. I doubt that amphetamine laced breast milk would have been great for my step son.
Oh, and Jenny McCarthy should keep her trap shut too. Because of people like her, we have an epidemic of pertussis (whooping cough) in California. Because morons followed her lead and assumed that it was the vaccinations that were hurting their kids... now new moms like me have a true virus to fear because their kids are walking petri dishes!
I have nursed both of my children for 2 years each. I rather than seeing a law on breastfeeding, would rather see a law that at least one parent is competent and each baby should come with a monthly instruction book that is free and comes to your house 'till they are 18! If you breastfeed or bottle feed your baby it is not as important as how you care for that being that you created.
Shut up Gisele. I only gained 20 lbs with my pregnancy. The reason she gained 30 instead was because she was underweight to start with. The girl looks like a stick (I don't care if they do call her "the body"). I was a healthy weight before the pregnancy based upon my height and age. I am also breastfeeding my son and supplementing with formula as needed. Her and that two timing football player of hers should keep their traps shut and stop offending people with their rhetoric. This sort of commentary from her just invites all the breastfeeding Nazis to come out and trash women who use formula (for whatever reason). You might think that you don't want to utilize formula unless you absolutely have to, but until you've been awake with a screaming baby at 2 am and are operating on a week with little to no sleep, you really don't know what it's like. Her life is probably easier with nannies and night nurses for her little bundle of joy. The rest of us can't pump a bottle and hand it off. We have to be awake with a breast in our child's mouth, falling asleep in a chair while they feed. So she knows nothing about what it is really like to breastfeed.
That's the problem with celebrity. Folks assume they have something to say. I'm please that she made a decision she doesn't regret, unlike so many other models, but really advice is worth what you pay for it. Hers is free. Somehow the working mom with 6 weeks of leave before she loses her job isn't on board with her agenda. Nothing peaves me more than vapid vixens dispensing their own science. Where's Jenny with the anti-vaccination comments?
FTR, I nurse my kids for years each. This isn't about nursing. It's about someone looking down on people who make different choices than them to the extent they come up with gems like "there should be a law" "for the children". It's pretty obvious when those phrases are applied in such a ditzy way. Just watch out for the people who are serious about it.
Gisellle --
STFU.
Those that can – should.
Those that can't – do whatever you need to to care for your child.
The benefits to breast feeding are marginal - despite what the advocates say. And, the most important thing is that babies get enough food. Formula is highly nutritious and kids fed entirely on it turn out fine. This is a very complex and fact specific situation - a women and her pediatrician can make the best decision. It is amazing that people who are almost certainly "pro-choice" become so dictatorial once a baby is born. Why does choice end then?
I'm curious why you think that anyone who is pro-breastfeeding is "almost certainly pro-choice"? Must we all be radical feminists because we insist on using our breasts to feed children rather than keeping them firm so they can better entertain men, as should be the case? Hmm.. "Dr" Larry?
I'm not going to tell any of you whether I breast fed either of my two daughters because IT'S NONE OF YOUR D*MN BUSINESS! Oh, but wait - I guess I am because I don't feel guilty that I tried it with both AND HATED IT! I still have a great bond with both and two very very healthy kids. If you really need someone to criticize on a daily basis, treat the person in the mirror, then shut your pie hole. I also suggest that you don't take your advice from a superficial woman with an inflated sense of her own importance whose primary concern about her pregnancy appears to be how much weight she gained (or didn't gain). Sadly, the only thing more pathetic than Gisele's stupid comments are the comments to her comments.
God she sounds so naive and dumb talking about a breast feeding law. Some mothers can't produce enough milk, and some who can don't have enough nutrients in their milk. It all depends on the woman and it doesn't matter what she eats. I understand not wanting to put chemicals in your babies, but look at the bigger picture of the health of your baby, thats what is important. I respect if you do that, but keep your mouth shut when you don't know enough about it, and what may work for you doesn't always work for others.
This is stupidity at its most dangerous. Yes, breast feeding has demonstrable health benefits, but there are myriad situations in which doing so could prove harmful to the child, such as in mothers who are HIV positive or who are taking certain medications (antimetabolites, opiates, amphetamines). This is precisely why models aren't required to speak to be effective in their careers...
What this article fails to mention is that she breastfed for a whopping 3 weeks before she quit. She wanted to be able to go to Starbucks and have her picture without being seen breastfeeding. Yeah, that's in the baby's best interest. What a hypocrite! You can read about it in the Boston Herald.
A remarkable gathering of stupid people on this page on both sides, really. How is it that one woman's opinion has driven so many of you to insulting and name calling? Grow up, get off the internet, try being civilized, and do your best to not display your stupidity
Hypocritical much?
Wow, that's being "civilized".....try practicing what you preach! LOL
While breast is best for sure, there are many of us that it isn't an option and making it a law would do nothing to help those of us that couldn't. I breast fed my son until he was 14 months old, my daughter however could not keep up with the flow and so she eventually suffered so from hunger and gas build us from crying that she refused to latch on and there was no option but the bottle and she was 6 weeks old. Sure I tried pumping at first but with a toddler and my slow let down when pumping combined with her slow eating there was nothing to be done but switch to formula, which broke my heart at the time. Thankfully within days her extreme fussiness, inability to sleep, and general lack of growth subsided and she is now the healthier of my two children. Why add further problems to women like me who so wanted to but couldn't and to babies that are not flourishing with the breast, even when the effort is made in earnest by making it a law for all.
seriously, she barely has any education. the only reason why her words are even online is cause she's an underwear model. she needs to shut up and mind her own freak' business. boob-feeding law, okay giselle, if your baby's all the sudden developed a life-threatening emergency, you better hope your ER doc doesn't take off on your kid cause she's gotta obey the bood-feeding law.
practice kung fu? are you kidding me? and she's trying to ride on a high horse cause she was able to do it til 2wks before! seriously, 30lbs is an avg wt that woman gain during pregnancy. Use the word "only if it's 15lbs. 30 is average!
when models pretend like they know stuff is when it's annoying!
Ugh. We have the same, unusual name and I don't want people who know me to think this comment was written by me!
Where is she getting her 6 months from? Is that just a nice rounded number? And worldwide law? Uh, that would have to be enforced by the UN. Go back to Brazil.
As I was reading this I was pumping. No one would ever know that it is breast milk in the bottle I am feeding my baby. People who believe in something very strongly end up judging other people when they are not doing things exactly as they are. Breast feeding does not come easy for every women, some women try and some don't. I pumped so much with my first son that he got breast milk until he was 1, but I would not recommend it because it was very hard.
While I agree that breastfeeding is best for babies, I think Giselle needs to get off her f***ing high horse. She is a narcissistic twit who apparently has all the time in the world to put down other mothers who don't take kung fu until they give birth *rolls eyes*. Well good for you Giselle. You weren't a "garbage disposal" while pregnant, you only gained 30 lbs while pregnant. You are that much better than the rest of the mothers out there who just so happened to gain more than 30 lbs. Oh and how cute that you think it should be a "law" that mothers breastfeed for 6 months. Apparently you've never met a mother who was physically unable to breastfeed. But I guess under the Giselle Law, they would need to be jailed or sentenced to probation. Hey while you're at it, why not make a law that fines women for gaining more than 30 lbs during pregnancy? I think that would be swell!!! Giselle just stick to what you know – bulimia and dating d-bag celebrities.
Id pay 5000bucks to be the one dressed up in the baby suit
Gisele really looks better with her foot out of her mouth. I think studipidy should be outlawed.
screw you, giselle! you can't speak for everyone. i studied hypnobirthing and did pregnancy yoga until i started having problems. was put on bed rest at 7 mos, when i could no longer do any physical activity. and my baby got stuck in the birth canal after 57 hours of back labor with no drugs. wound up w/an emergency c-section ("someone else" getting the baby out, according to you). oh, and i didn't produce enough milk to breastfeed my kid beyond 3 mos. there's no one-size-fits-all to pregnancy/child birth/motherhood. so shut up about motherhood "laws" and stick to what you're qualified to do: pouty lips for the next photo shoot. moron.
Maybe she vomited the baby out accidentally while she was purging. Look at that figure, though!
The lesser-known benefits to breastfeeding, besides the fact (yes, the fact) that it's better for the kid:
1. When done regularly, it's an effective form of birth control.
2. Knocks off the pregnancy weight pretty quickly.
3. Formula baby poop? Ick. Breast milk baby poop? Smells like maple syrup. No lie.
4. Breastmilk is easier on the baby's digestive system.
And so on. The whole "there should be a law" thing is going too far, but this isn't a Jenny McCarthy case of celebrities spreading misinformation. For as much as there is to detest about Mrs. Brady, she's right that Breast Is Best.
OMG are you serious? A form of birth control!!! No it is not! It does happen on occasion that women will stop ovulating when breastfeeding but not all women do! OMG check your facts before you post something like that. Yeah the baby poop smells different but so what? You shouldn't be making such claims on such a hot forum, someone might actually believe you.
It's not even the subject matter of breast feeding vs. not breast feeding - it is the core matter of actually suggesting that your body be under the jurisdiction of the government in this way. NO THANK YOU, GISELLE.
The Unibomber was breastfed, but thank G*d he was never sick as a child or developed any allergies.
Watch, her son will be hanging off her boob at 5 years old. And what, does she think it maks her a better mom because she breast feeds and watches what her kid eats? Good grief people!
I hid my first pregnancy. Got no prenatal care, nothing! She was deliver naturally, no epidural, nothing! I didn't even consider breast feeding, she went straight to a bottle.
WHEN DID WE START COMPARING FORMULA TO POISON? Giesele is speaking like a health finatic that is a first time mother and yes a rich. She can afford the organic foods, chef, etc.
I don't get the negative comments. This is so simple, the breast has only ONE function, and it's not to fill out a bikini on a beach, it is to feed a child. It's been that way for thousands upon thousands of years. It's only been recently (a few decades) that people tried alternatives. Studies have repeatedly shown that breastfeeding provides huge health benefits – for both the child and mother – including decreasing the risk of breast cancer. It has also been speculated that women who struggle with breastfeeding do not receive proper support – for crying out loud, in recent years we've had people charged with indecency for breasfeeding in public. A law may be extreme, but maybe it's time for something to really get people to understand breastfeeding is natural and the best option.
And by the way, a clear lack of support for breastfeeding families is the clearly rude and offensive comments to this article. Talk about people that really need to be quiet.
You really want your breasts to be under the order of the government? What other body parts do you want the government to command? I can't believe how many people miss the point here: FREEDOM. Breast feeding like so many other things - at least at this point in time - is a personal decision, it's not a super model's original idea (i breast fed when it wasn't fashionable - my own decision, imagine I had the brain capacity to figure that out on my own.) I can't even fathom giving the government this kind of power. SCARY.
Sorry to disappoint the breastfeeding advocates who think it is miraculously protective. I breastfed my son until he weaned himself at 10 months, yet I got breast cancer and osteoporosis later. (I'm not a smoker and never took hormones, either, so those were not causes. I've also lifted weights for decades, which is supposed to strengthen your bones.) I have one younger relative who was breast fed past the age of two who is obese. I was bottle fed and was quite slender until middle age. (dvorkin dot com)
pro-boob and justanotheropinion and the so called nurse on hear touting that it's all a public health issue; BS how many years did they tout hormone replacement therapy as the new cure all for women and suddenly 10 years later (early to mid 90's) they have all these women having heart attacks, major forms of cancers appearing in numbers that never happened before. I am sick of everyone with an opinion thinking they need to interfere in everyone else's life. Who cares what you or anyone else thinks. Stop forcing your damn opinions on people. Keep it to yourself. I pay for your kids and lives just as much as you pay for mine so don't even go there with the taxes and I don't want to support your sickly children anymore, bit. and to Rosinete, shut up. You're a dumb a%% for writing such a ridiculous statement. We all are "hating" on her Gisele cause we're fat and ugly. No moron, we have opinions that we feel should be heard. Try your grade school intellect some where else and leave the serious discussions to us adults.
I keep reading people's post that she was referring to those that are able to but don't...but reading the article she doesnt say that.
“Some people here think they don't have to breastfeed,” Bundchen said in the magazine’s September issue, “and I think, Are you going to give chemical food to your child, when they are so little?'"
The 30-year-old model went on, “There should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months.”
Where in there does it say if you are able to it should be a law? So for those who think that it wasnt offensive to most people need to read it again!
Those of us who were unable are a bit defensive because breastfeeding is pushed so hard by people, not unlike Gisele. For myself, when I went in to see the Dr. and lactation nurse I felt like so judged, like they didn't believe me, that I wasn't trying hard enough. Probably some of this is brought back up by this very judgmental woman who is imposing her perfectionism on others.
“Some people here think they don't have to breastfeed,” That implies that some people take it as optional for no medical reasons. It's just common sense. She probably explained herself better but of course that didn't get published because it would not create this huge thread! People are judging without knowing the full story. When did we see that in the news recently?
Wow, she is so wrong. She doesn't realize that a lot of women try so hard to breastfeed and it just doesn't work. It doesn't work for everyone. It's not that they can't be bothered. I suppose some of them can't, but then there are others like me who wanted so much to breastfeed my baby and I tried everything for so long, because I didn't want to give up, and it didn't work. It's not something there should be a law about, and she needs to stop adding guilt to those who already have guilt. She's lucky it worked out for her. Now she needs to quit being so judgemental of others.
Yea, breast feeding your babyfor ten minutes and then handing it off to the nanny for two hours is the way to a fulfilling family experience. Where's dad?
The only reason why there's even a debate is because breast milk is free. Breastfeeding is natural, contains the right amount of vitamins for your baby, and is free. These companies that produce the fake stuff would lose tons of $$$ so they use "science" and argue that it's more convenient, etc. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
No laws telling us what to do with our bodies, please! Are you joking? I could care less whether woman breast feed or not. But, for the rest of us, when the kid has teeth and starts demanding to be breast feed, that's enough already! I saw a kid that was at least 2 yrs. old who pulled up his Mom's shirt and demanded to nurse....creepy.
I was a lucky mother who was able to breast feed. I never breastfed in public, since the tolerance level for breastfeeding is low in this area. The only view I will possibly agree with Gisele is the point she may be trying to make- the public gaining a more larger tolerance for breastfeeding mothers.
Mother's do not breastfeed for a number of reasons, most of them are medical, and you cannot punish a mother for that. Some babies are unable to latch on and make it a horrible and emotional experience for the mother, and you can't punish either of them. Regardless of what this woman says, a good mother is one who loves their child and is able to nourish their baby to the best of their ability.
She's not talking about the ones that cannot breastfeed; she's referring to the ones that are unwilling to do it! Why do people need to get so defensive; It shows how guilty they feel! Get over it, if you can breastfeed, do it. If you can't, don't get defensive, everyone sympathizes with your inability, no blames! She’s generalizing; of course she knows that formula is the only solution for many families. I’m sure there are mothers out there that are drug addicts and are breastfeeding. She would not be in favor of that either!
Obviously you haven't read all of the comments questioning the number of people here who couldn't breastfeed. I have gotten accused of lying about being unable to breastfeed more often than not (in the real world). We feel like failures because of the pressures we put on ourselves and then we get treated like crap by other women who not only haven't walked a mile in our shoes, but also don't know us at all. Of course we're defensive, wouldn't you be if you were being called a lazy, fat, liar and a bad mother to boot?
Tori, of course I would feel bad, that's heartless! I just don't think that's what SHE was saying. That's plenty of people out there that do that, I've seen it myself. I breastfed because it was easy for me but I have friends that could not for different reasons, mostly medical. Even my mother wasn't able to breastfeed.
I wanted to do the 'right' thing with my firstborn and so I breastfed. What's more 'right' than breastfeeding? Making sure your baby is getting food! I still feel guilty that my son was crying because he was hungry and I didn't realize I wasn't producing enough. I'll worry more about that next time. BTW...he's perfectly healthy like thousands of other formula babies.
must be nice to be able to have the time to breastfeed. you know, not have to work all day. must be nice to be able to actually produce enough breastmilk to sustain a newborn. also nice to focus on kung fu and yoga during the pregnancy. must be nice to be rich and famous.
Why do celebrities pretend to be doctors? Sure, we all (or most of us) can agree that in a perfect world breast feeding is better.... BUT
– There are plenty of reasons for reduced milk production, many more common than cancer. My wife had poly-cystic ovaries which is known to reduce milk output
– Some children refuse the breast - we talked to multiple lactation consultants, none could get our baby to latch properly
– I'll gladly take a formula fed baby over one that is "failing to thrive" from lack of nutrition.
– Gisele asks for a "world-wide" law. Putting aside the fact that there can be no such thing... breast feeding babies will die due to the mother's malnutrition
– If formula is so incredibly evil, all of us who were born in the 60s and 70s when it was all the rage must be permanently handicapped!
– Ditto for cow milk. Probably explains why my IQ is only 130 - it was all the non-organic, hormome-filled cow milk my mom fed me.
– Breast feeding laws in most states only apply to businesses of 50 people or more. Until that changes women will continue to have issues pumping at work – no matter how much they want to do it. Have you ever been to a small convenience store? Other than a dirty bathroom and small stock room, do you think there is physically room for a place to pump, even if the employer wanted to provide one?
What about Active Duty Military moms?
I am active duty and once I got off my maternanty leave.....I was shipped out! How was I able to breastfed or pump for my baby when I wasnt even in country? Every woman has a different situation and NOBODY should judge! Also not every woman and baby is the same. So lets stop pointing fingers at who is the best and who is the worst and worry about if YOUR child is getting the nutrition, care and love that they need!
I am so sick of Gisele Bundchen going on about how birth didn't hurt at all...what a toral freakin liar she has to be! I understand her point about not being a garbage disposal (though she fails to take into account that some women's bodies just hold on to every single calorie consumed during pregnancy, and they will gain and gain even though they did NOT eat like pigs). She was also underweight going into it, and very unlike every other woman.
Now, having said THAT, I do agree about breastfeeding. I breastfed both my kids for 3+ years, and they are beautiful and brilliiant, and breastfeeding rather miraculously takes all the baby weight right off, too, and it's good for the mom.
Try it–but if you can't do it (and there can be hassles with it, sometimes, but when it works, nothing is easier or simpler), don't beat yourself up. All moms just need to take good care of themselves so they can take good care of their babies.
And don't listen to Gisele when she's being an unreasonable, loudmouthed beeyatch.
My wife desperately wanted to breast feed our daughter. It never worked. Not everyone can breast feed; not every mother can do it and not every child WILL do it. So by this uppity b***h's metric, my wife deserves to be punished? Like the psychological trauma of feeling like a bad mother wasn't enough? I5t's been nearly 5years and she still says it bothers her. Giselle, go do what you do best: show off your freak-of-nature body and shut the h up. You were a lot more pleasant until you started talking.
having breastfed both of my children I feel I made the right choice .. for me. If a mother chooses to use formula that is her choice. some Mothers are not able to breastfeed and some just simply make the choice not to do so.. How about we just give credit where credit is due .. to all of the wonderful mothers out there who are nurturing their babies to the best of their ability, regardless of how they feed them.
For the record, my son ended up with Leukemia at the age of 5 years. Yes, he was breastfed, for 18 months at that and was a healthy eater.. Certainly breastmilk is made for babies, but it does not mean that your child is invincible and impervious to viruses, bacterial infections and even cancer because he/she was breastfed.. I wonder when this debate will end?
liz, Brenda, Rosinete, YES! jealous,if you choose to be a mother, pay the price, breastfeeding is the best thing for baby !
Go Giselle! they are fat ugly, and to lazy to do so!
You and the other ones saying we're all fat and ugly as being the reason for us "hating" on Gisele, grow the hell up. Try and have an adult conversation otherwise go to bed sweetie and let us adults talk.
I'm pro-breastfeeding AND fat. No denying - I need to lose a lot of weight! So can we separate the two issues, please? And kissydoll, I'm talking to you, too, because it is not very "adult" that so many of the comments here are along the lines of "Gisele is a supermodel and therefore is too pretty to be allowed to express an opinion." How is THAT women supporting one another????
Apparently, her breast milk does not have chemicals. Odd, her boobs must spit out a vacuum of nothingness.
I didn't breastfeed because I thought it was gross. I just didn't want to do it. Yes, I'm serious. Guess I should be put in jail. And I don't think that breastfeeding is best, if Mom is going to be eating all the stupid bullcrap that most people eat these days - fast food, little to no vegetables, junk food. Plus all of the chemicals that pass to our bodies through our water and plastics. All of that is going to your baby. At least formula has a standard nutrition with all the vitamins and minerals a baby needs, not the pizza and french fries you ate for dinner.
I wonder how she feels about vaccines. I bet you she has vaccinated her son, all of which have WAY more chemicals in it than formula. Good call, Gisele. You're the expert.
Yes and you can not have an orgasim either. You think your body is gross... sorry you feel that way.
I think you mean "orgasm", not orgasim. And yes I can, and have many times, thank you.
Or, you could just make an effort to eat healthy foods and avoid unnessesary chemicals, that's what I did. I did yoga in my living room (yeah, you don't have to go to a fancy gym, all you need is some floor space and a mat). I didn't eat french fries or fast food when I was pregnant, just because you survive on that crap diet, doesn't mean we all do.
I was breast fed as a child and I am sure it contributed to my imune system and good health. I still breast feed as an adult just to try to stay as healthy as I can. This is an excellent idea and I hope Gisele can work together closely to make her dream a reality.
I agree 100%
Cathy,
Did you just type that you still go to your mother and ask for a little bit of her milk from time to time as an adult to keep yourself healthy?
All boobs, no brain.
So, i should have been forced to breastfeed when my supply was low? ( My daughter would have starved) What about with my second when I had a breast lump? Should I have breastfed and risked my life? Ridiculous. Also, i have two healthy girls who were both fed formula.
I CRIED AND WENT INTO A DEPRESSION WITH MY SECOND CHILD BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO BREASTFEED, MY BLOOD PRESSURE WAS RUNNING 130 OVER THE 100'S BECAUSE I WAS SO STRESSED OUT I CRIED EVERYTIME I TRIED TO BREASTFEED B/C I COULD NOT. SHE MAY BE A SUPER MODEL BUT DOES NOT HAVE MUCH BRAINS TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING SO OUTRAGEOUS. AND WHO SAID SHE IS THAT PRETTY, I HAVE SEEN MUCH PRETTIER WOMEN THAN HER
wow! look at all these comments against Gisele's opinion! I never had any idea there were so many medically dysfunctional breasts in the US population. I can certainly understand all the mothers with cancer or on other medication that could harm a child. But could the rest of you just be honest and say that your ped gave you an easy out?
I just love these people who assume that my breasts work just because I have them. Unfortunately, they are just decorative. I really appreciate being talked down to, called a liar, told my breasts are dysfunctional, and essentially being called lazy. If my child had starved while I tried to breastfeed her when my milk never came in (and I'm not saying I didn't have enough, I'm saying I had none), these same people would accuse me murder, neglect, and being stupid for not realizing something was wrong and my child was starving.
Oh please. I was adopted and therefore never breastfed, and yet somehow I'm not fatter, dumber, sicker, or more maladjusted than any of my peers who were. Mothers should be able to make the choice that best suits them without being guilt-tripped to hell and back about it.
Giselle is absolutely correct, she is stating something that should have been said before but no one had the courage to do it.
Go Giselle, don't pay attention to this bunch of ugly and fat American women. They are very jealous of you !
Two wars and this is what we're talking about?
A typical thoughtless response from an airy head shallow i-want-to-sound-cool model.
leave motherhood to mothers. just because you "discovered" it does not mean it should be made into a law.
Thanks for not being condescending to moms who don't have time to do yoga and kung fu during their pregnancy, Gisele. What about those that have their breastmilk disappear a week into motherhood from postpartum thyroiditis?
There should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that celebrities spend six months in a fat suit before being eligible to comment in widely-circulated periodicals. A year if they're a model.
OMG I love you! If you weren't married I'd make you marry my sister!
Right, like I"m going to take advice from this idiot! What an ass...
She's so dogmatic and self righteously that she's only preaching to the breastfeeding fundamentalist choir. All the other moms are scheduling c-sections and pre-ordering a years supply of formula as we speak....nice job Giselle.
Some one on here said breastfeeding is easy for her before b/c she's rich. This is totally silly though. Breast feeding is free. It is Formula will cost a new mom hundreds if not thousands per year. I have friends who pump while they watch TV, and bottle the milk for their baby to send to daycare while they work. It's free. Just saying.
Exaclty my point jennifer. Breast milk is free!! How can it be something only rich people can afford? I didn't even use a breast pump. I used a technique called "expressing". What most people don't understadn is that the baby does not "suck" the milk out of the breast. The baby's gums press down on the milk ducts in the areola and the milk squirts into the mouth. A breast pump uses suction. It can be painful, and take a long time. If you express the milk by using your fingers to squeeze the areola the milk will squirt easily int a cup or glass. If you can get the ducts to open, sometimes called"letting down" the milk will spray without you squeezing for quite a while. Its super easy, goes fast , and again costs NOTHING
Gisele, your mother breastfeeding obviously did not help with your intellect. You should stick with what you know, and that is strutting your behind on the runway and SHUT your big mouth about breastfeeding. This just show you that no money in the world can save you from being an insensitive ass!!!
Giselle is right, she is stating something that should have been said before but no one has the courage to do it.
You are all just big, ugly, fat and jealous women when it comes to criticizing Giselle.
You're a moron, go play with the kids while us adults have a conversation.
What a ditsy blonde! Put a little money in your pocket and you think you know it all...
Nothing like fascist repression – the leftists are always sooooo sure they know what's best for others. Yuck!
Thanks a lot! I cried myself to sleep for six months only wishing I could lactate. She may have greats looks but she needs to learn a little "Sensitivity" for other women!
Apparently, we 5% don't have feelings to hurt or it's ok to go around kicking us or something. I don't know what's wrong with all these people who think it's ok to attack women who couldn't breastfeed. But I bet it's a really big word that's hard to pronounce.
@tory
Noone is attacking mothers who LEGITIMATELY can't breastfeed. The problems is that so many women now are using "I can't" as a cop out. I've known ladies who breastfed for weeks with no problem, then all of a sudden would say, "I just can't breastfeed because of (insert excuse here)" or the ones who say, "well I have to go back to work, so I have to quit breastfeeding" I worked 32 hours a week and still managed to breastfeed my daughter until she was 16 months old. If you truely can't, I am sorry for you and I'm sure you tried your best, but in my experiance the women who really can't are few and far between.
I do believe that breastfeeding is BEST for your children, IF you can! I really think that this is all she was saying.
I know A LOT of moms who just won't try to breastfeed and decide to go with formula. However, I know a lot of moms who just can't breastfeed because of some complication and it is totally understandable that they do not breastfeed. I don't believe that making this a law will help women decide to breastfeed.
*I breastfed my son to 21 months and my daughter to 14 months....
No worries. She's just getting ready to write a book and make some money off the backs of new young moms who buy every pregnancy/new mom book they see. As with the books by Suzanne Summers and Jenny McCarthy, read with a healthy dose of skepticism. These people use their celebrity to take advantage of others but they feel no need to base claims on peer-reviewed research. I haven't any doubt that breast-feeding is optimal–it is not the only healthy way to raise a child.
As soon as every mother no longer has to worry about how to pay the bills, how to make time to clean the house, prepare dinner, and basically have more disposable income than she could possible spend in a few lifetimes THEN and only THEN can this fashion model talk. Until then it would probably be better if she would keep her ridiculously narrow-minded and sheltered views to herself.
Breast milk is best and postpartum depression is the worst. I had no history of depression and was hit hard after the birth of my first. I gave up breastfeeding when I was admitted to hospital when she was three weeks old. I just couldn't do it. I tortured myself for years for "failing" her. I was judged as being selfish or stupid. I knew breast milk was the best, but I just couldn't do it. She is now a beautiful and healthy 16-year-old and I have forgiven myself, as it turned out I was pretty good at motherhood after all. We women judge each other more harshly than men ever do. Why can't we just respect that good mothering comes in many different packages?
Dear Gisele, please shut up. You are a moron. Yes, as the mother of a 1-year-old myself, I agree that breastmilk is best. However, it is a choice for each new mother to make for herself. There are situations where a mother cannot physically produce enough milk for her child and must use formula, or maybe they need to take medications for their own personal physical or mental health that should not be passed on to the baby, or maybe they just plain don't want to breast feed. And, my dear Gisele, should adoptive mothers be held to that law as well? How do you propose that be done? Please go back to being self-centered and obsessed with yourself and keep your ignorant trap shut. Love, me.
You read my mind !!! I would if I could .... knowing that it is healthier for the child . I am one of those mothers out there that can not due to health issues .... and with my other kids they did just fine without breastmilk and are healthy and smart !!
After looking at this Brazilian Beauty's picture, can somebody tell me where I can sign up?
Sorry, Gisele is not my spokesmodel. I paid my way through college and law school to provide for my children and make the right decisions for MY children. I am a black belt in brazilian jujitsu and worked out til two days before delivery. I had an epidural and was back on my feet right after delivery after both pregnancies. I was lucky I feel for those mothers who did not have it so easy. I breastfed for as long as I could (2 months) and went back to work. I am a good mom, hardworking, loving wife, and love spending time with my children and husband. I didn't need Gisele telling me how to do it. She wanted to do the natural way then good for her. Guess what- my children are developing wonderfully ! I don't need a model or government telling me what to do when making a decision to breastfeed or formula feed- I can handle such decision on my own thank you!
She is so full of herself...who is she to tell woman what to do with their bodies...I thought this was a free country. I make the decision of what is done to my body, not some stupid model. As a woman who was medically unable to breastfeed I'm sick of other woman trying to make me feel guilty. And guess what, even if I was able to breastfeed I would have chosen not to...Suck on that!! And if she is so concerned and careful with what she puts in her body, how did she manage to gain 30 pounds? I only gained 12 pounds with my pregancy, does that mean I'm a better mother then her? No it doesn't. And who are these experts that say only 5% of woman are medically unable to breastfeed? Maybe those figures need to be looked at again, for accuracy. Whoever supports this statement is a bigger idiot then Gisele.
I lost weight over my pregnancy, when I got pregnant I weighed 135 pounds, when I gave birth I weighed 110. Certainly not by choice, but that's what happened, and I was still able to breastfeed my daughter until she was 14 months old. Weight loss or gain is no excuse, neither is work. Neither is, 'I just don't like it" I was uncomfortable and in pain for awhile, but I would not trade that experiance for the world. Ladies, put on your big girl panties and do what's right for your kids.
Seriously people, did any of you "I couldn't breastfeed my child because of X medical condition" read the article, and apply logic and reason? No where did she say that people who are incapable for whatever reason should be punished. Nor did she say that you should force breastmilk into babies who aren't doing well on it She's saying something that's super simple to understand: Breast milk is able to supply better nutrition and health benefits than formula.
Quit being so reactionary and read. It helps.
Another thing nobody read: Her comments about breastfeeding were made to the Harper's Bazaar in the UK. Not everything is about the US!
I did read the article. She said it should be a world-wide law. I also know that if such a law existed, you would have to request an exemption so as not to be arrested for breaking it. To be exempt from such a law would require proof. I don't believe people should be forced to do something as intimate as breast feeding against their will and I don't believe people should have their privacy violated to prove their inability to comply.
Had she simply said that breastfeeding is best for your baby and I recommend it, very few people would be offended. But she didn't stop at that. Those of us who can't even though (and especially though) we wanted to have put ourselves through enough guilt and trauma for having breasts that can't feed our children. We don't need people like Gisele and many of the pro-breastfeeding people who commented here treating us like second-class citizens and bad mothers for something we had no control over. And I especially love the ones who assume that since only 5% of women can't breastfeed, we must be lying, without realizing just how many women are included in that 5% (it's in the millions just in the US). I guess people just don't care how insulting that is.
Its nice that she feels that she should spout her advice like that to any and everyone. She already has had such a great influence on her stepson, after stealing his father away from his mother while she was STILL pregnant. What a sanctimonious "bleep".
Yes, I understand that there are healthy bottle-fed children and sickly breastfed children. There are also healthy children who did not receive vaccines and sick kids who did get vaccines. Nothing is a guarantee, but if possible for you, wouldn't you want to give your children the best shot at life possible? I don't think there should be a law requiring it, but I think a law that your pediatrician must talk with you about the options and benefits (similar to current laws about vaccines) is completely reasonable.
Wow, some of these comments are really amusing. Just because someone couldn't breastfeed or chose not to doesn't change the fact that it is the best source of nutrition for an infant. You guys can kid yourself all you want about formula, yes your child will most likely still end up healthy and happy but breastmilk really is the best thing for them.
If the child ends up healthy and happy, then what are they kidding themselves about? The benefits of breast milk are negligible in the grand scheme of things. Better? Yes. Super-food? I don't think so. Formula is fine. I'm not sure why breast feeding is put on such a pedestal that some of the women who choose to do it will tout it as the crowning glory of their child's infancy.
Thank you Don....you said it perfectly.
Firstly, laws are made to better help the well being of human kind as a whole. Secondly, just because something works for person A, doesn't mean it will work for person B. Thirdly, unless you actually live on a farm and even there almost everything has chemicals, so you really don't escape "chemicals". Our bodies adapt to change, and the weak die off, and the strong move on (Darwin). Lastly, nobody grows up to be superman because they were breast fed when they were little. We all die at one point or another, regardless of how healthy we are.
So, following her logic, since both of our daughters wouldn't breast feed, they'd starve.
Gisele, just file the request on your form ID10T, we'll get back to you.
Ha! Maybe it should also be a law that mothers have to actually care for their children rather than hiring nannies to do it. Now that would be a good law, and I would tell her that straight up. I am a working mom, and my baby couldn't breast feed due to preemie complications. How dare she indicate I'm less of a mother. I could say the same for her. If you're going to work, get your priorities straight and find a way to be the primary care giver of your children for goodness sakes! THAT SHOULD BE LAW!!! Not to hire nannies to upkeep a lifestyle.
Just because you have milk production for your baby and you are able to feed your baby doesnt mean it is the best. I had planned on breastfeeding my daughter but she couldn't keep it down and she was losing nutrition that she needed. Turned out she was allergic to it. My daughter is now 3 years old. And I get EXTREMLY offended when someone tries and tell me that a breastfed child is smarter than a formula fed child. My daughter has a mantality of a 6 year old and potty trained herself at 18 months and above most kids her age. And I am a single parent doing it by myself. So all of you also that's saying kids are better off with both parents....SCREW YOU!!! Do you have any idea how many kids are f–ked up and they have both parents? When you are posting...be mindful of what you say!!!
I totally agree, I had a preemie and breastfeeding was not in our future. And not from lack of trying, trust me. The lactation dept knew us by first names! When people say this, it's ridiculous!
I hope Tom left some for the kid.
Does this go for crack head mothers too?
Isn't breast milk only better if the mother has good nutrition? Formula has consistent nutrients that I probably couldn't produce. I also enjoy sharing the feedings and sharing nights with my husband. 😀
sarah: ignorance gone to seed, your gonna reap a big crop.
Just goes to show ya, that pretty and brains do not always come in the same package. The girl really should learn to read. It's not too hard. First you start with A, B, C and then you put them together to form words. The truth is that some women cannot breast feed. There are many reasons both psychological and physical. I would elaborate but the information is widely available and, on the internet ! Ms Bundchen would do well to say oh, read up on the subject before making such an outrageous statement. What if we made a law that stated you had to have a certain IQ to breed ? That, in my humble opinion, might be more useful.
She should put her breasts where her mouth is.
To breastfeed properly, you need big breasts.
Yeah Baby!
If only that were true. My wife is blessed in the ways of the boob, and my son couldn't make a latch because, well, there was too much to latch on to.
Yay boobs, regardless.
Too funny!!!
I am so tired of every pro-breastfeeding comment met with some poor woman who could not. First of all... MOST cases could have been solved with a good lactation consultant and persistence! (It took two months for my premature son to latch but my persistence (and pumping!) paid off!! Obviously there are many cases that CAN NOT be fixed – if you are medically unable – my heart truly does go out to you and you are absolutely right – this does not make you less of a good mother, but stop trying to make every woman who does breastfeed feel guilty. Are we talking about you as mothers – OBVIOUSLY not so let go of your guilt for Pete's sake!
This is to the mother's who chose to formula feed without trying or even considering nature's perfect food.
Do we really need someone to think for us? What about the baby? My two daughters tried to breast feed and their babies did nothing but throw up and cry. After they put them on formual, they were two of the best babies and very content. Neither one of my daughters thought for one minute it was the breast milk until it was suggested to try formula Their children are just as healthy as a lot of breast fed babies. It is what works for you and your baby. I tried it and I didn't like it.
Mary, it goes against my better judgment to speak about you specifically, but you are emblematic of what many of us posting here are trying to say. Forgive me for getting personal, but you have put your personal story up for discussion...
You say that you tried it and didn't like it. And then, when *both* of your own daughters had difficulties, you suggested formula and encouraged them to quit nursing. How much better would they have fared if their mother had encouraged them to seek all possible help and keep trying? We young mothers are from a generation that was raised on the bottle. Our mothers were not encouraged to nurse, and too often, they quickly tell us that "formula is fine" and that it's not worth the trouble to breastfeed. But it *is* worth the trouble, in the long-run. For so very many reasons.
Not all of us have the choice of breastfeeding, I was in the military I only breasfeed my son until he was 3 months old, and than I had to stop breasfeeding him because I had take my son to my mother in law's so she can take care of him while I was deployed In Iraq... So please rich supermodel Shut it!!! I'm all for breastfeeding, but some of us can't do it from many reasons ranging from health, not enough supply or because he have to work to make a living. No one should be penalized for this...please get a reality check!
I'm all for breastfeeding, and my two sons were breastfed. However, I have friends who were unable to breastfeed, as hard as they tried, and felt like failures as a mother and aperson because they were so browbeaten by lactation consultant nurses. No law is necessary. Strong encouragement is good. But people who make the mother of a newborn feel like a failure and a bad mother because she can not breastfeed should be smacked upside the head.
Thank you!
I find this article, the position it takes and the women who support it massively offensive. Breastfeeding is a personal choice!
Why is it when it comes to a uterus it is our bodies and our choice but when it comes to our breasts it is public domain?
I was completely in favor of breastfeeding my daughter for a year and completely against formula feeding. Everything I had read stated all women had the ability to produce milk and supply sufficient food for their child. WOW are the experts wrong and they sure do should generalize. I was unable to produce enough milk to feed my daughter and after tears of feeling like a failure as a mother I supplemented with formula. If Gisele had of had the unfortunate experience of low milk production as so many of us do she would think twice about her statements. She should learn to be more aware of a growing epidemic that women simply cannot produce enough milk before stating something so ridiculous making us Moms feel inadequate yet again.
Up your calories & increase your water intake. Seek a lactation consultant to check you are latching correctly and your baby is not tongue tied (both can be corrected). Pump after every feeding to increase your production. Try fenugreek tea. Seriously... All of these women with milk production issues?
It happens in mammals of other species all the time too, especially with the first few pregnancies. The difference is their babies die of starvation, though they will perhaps get their milk production up to speed after the first half-dozen or so infants/litters waste away. In lieu of this, human babies get formula. It's really not that hard to understand.
Lactation Consultant: Are you actually certified? You seem to be lacking in experience and education. Guess what, yeah some babies want to nurse and do so well and momma's still dont produce milk, nope fenugreek, your sister consultants, even tried beer, over hydrated myself (yes its possible) just doesn't work. Second baby hated nursing and no lactation consultant could change his mind, I finally produced milk for him via much pumping. Apparently being hooked to a machine for hours a day was considered natural and bonding! thankfully I had a very supportive husband who said well, we aren't going to let her die because you cant produce milk, get a BOTTLE! And baby I love you unhook from that machine and re-enter the world of the living, give that kid formula! So yeah lactation consultant, get a job, get educated, just stop acting as though all your little tricks work for every situation and quit guilt tripping Awesome mommas that give their all everyday for their babies. I chose LIFE twice for each of my children, in utero and giving them excellent nutrition from a ...gasp....CAN!
Andrea: what possible evidence do you have that Lactation Consultant has no experience or education? He/She gave the same advice that I got from my doctor and the lactation expert at my OBGYN's office when i had trouble with my first. And it worked
Make breastfeeding a law? That's the most ridiculous thing I have heard of. When my son was born, we tried and tried to get him to breastfeed, but he just didn't get the hang of it. The nurse said we must give him a bottle before he starts to dehydrate. Some babies just don't learn to do it and some women's breasts are too sensitve to have a baby do it because it can be a painful experience. Where's the freedom at in this country? Must everything be made into a law? God forbid!
1. this woman does not eat
2. this woman has breast implants, who is she to preach about putting "chemicals" into one babes mouth
the nerve and ignorance of some people just KILL ME!!!
Nope, she doesn't have breast implants.
Octomom is screwed
LMAO....good one!
I'd HIT that, hard.
Wow! Good luck Tom.
I find it interesting that only 5% of women are physically unable to breastfeed but they all seemed to comment on this article.
There are 155.8 million women just in the US. That means that if 5% of them are physically unable to lactate and all of those women commented on this article, there would be over 7 million comments. I'm pretty sure there aren't 7 million comments.
I find it interesting that we currently have in place a law stating its my body and if I choose to KILL my unborn baby its ok. Now we need a law stating once they baby is born it is no longer my body and I must shove my body in that babys mouth on a regular basis? Wow! Truly a case of stupidity in both instances.
Children should be protected and given the best possible world. Like two parents all the time and breast milk from their mommas and the best healthcare and oh maybe the RIGHT to Live, but hey why get carried away, right????
There should be a bloody law that parents should be married before having a kid. What a stupid bimbo.
Here's one for you: A law that every second person is forbidden from having children. There are FAR too many people in this world. Go green, skip the kids. All they do is flatten your wallet & suck you dry, no pun intended. Sound as crazy as Gisele? Shut your pie hole, Gisele. What a dumb twit.
There are studies that show that whats best for baby to have married parents. So by her thinking, it should be against the law to steal another man's woman while she is pregnant.
I hate stupid people.
She's a moron. How about shutting yoiur trap and doing something for tha thousands of her illegal countymen in this country. Ther is a huge Brazilian population here on the East Coast who do nothing but have babies on our dime!! Yes Giselle, they are living off the rest of us while I work and they get to BREASTFEED ALLLLLLLL DAY LONG!!!!!!
Hey, hey! Why do you have to attack all Brazilians?! Ignorance is everywhere; it's not a Brazilian exclusivity. If she is a "moron," you sound like a bigot to me. Please leave the other Brazilians out of your hateful messages. Go to the 'light" and start spiritualizing yourself. You'll become a much happier, and less resentful, human being.
Gisele is an outstanding model... outstanding role model! There is nothing better than a mother's breastmilk for her newborn. I work in a very up-scale hospital and nearly all of our mothers breastfeed their newborns. These mothers have the top-of-the-line of everything; homes, cars, nannies, you name it they have it, and they nearly all give their newborns human milk. Very few women cannot breastfeed their babies, even those with implants or breast reductions can breastfeed, albeit sometimes they need help with a lactation consultant. Future mothers who want to breastfeed should try to deliver at a hospital that has lactation consultants on staff.
Breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed your baby. The first few days, just lay down in the bed with your baby side by side, and let your baby feed off the lower breast i.e. lay on your left side and baby feeds off the left breast. Use pillows for positioning; under your head, between your knees, behind your back, and behind your baby. Express a little of colostrum, direct your baby onto the breast after she opens her mouth wide. Keep her awake while she is breast feeding; talk to her, stimulate her back or hands, gently blow on her forehead. Encourage the father to sit on the bed and stimulate the baby to stay awake. And keep the TV, radio, visitors, blackberrys, phones to an absolute minimum so you all have the chance to connect without distractions.
Breastfeeding is the best and only food source necessary for the first 6 months of an infant's life. By choosing to breastfeed you are offering your offspring the best possible chance in life and the benefits will last a lifetime. If you are pregnant attend a breastfeeding class with your husband (boyfriend) so you become knowledgeable, and when the baby arrives you will be less anxious and more confident. I am always pleasantly surprised at the number of fathers who want their babies to have human milk.
Last week I heard on NPR that Brazil has 200 human milk-banks, the highest number of any nation. The healthcare system in Brazil targets premature babies who benefit tremendously from human milk. They avoid what they call "man"ufactured milk. With a focus on human milk for little humans I can imagine Brazil's population must be healthy. Perhaps they will all end up looking as good as Gisele!
i've known breastfed kids that were always sick and not the most intelligent. bottle fed kids who were poster children for health and intelligence. breastfeeding is the best, but don't overcompensate genetics and luck. you can't control everything and formula has alot of vitamins in it that help a little body.
So what do you do if you attempt to express colostrum and there is none. And you continue trying to express something, anything, and you there just isn't anything. In fact, your breasts never get engorged with milk at all. You've consulted with an LC, your child latches on properly, but she just isn't getting anything out of your breasts because there is no milk in them. Then what? After a week, do you let her starve or do you do the next best thing, with tears rolling down your face, and thank the powers that be for the formula you were given when you left the hospital?
Mothers judging mothers–this is not what we need. Mothers of all abilities, means and physical capacity need support–period. Stop the judging and start listening.
why stop at mandating breastfeeding? let's also mandate that the woman not gain more than 30 pounds (i'd be first to be convicted)
let's also mandate that people stop smoking- that's bad for them
let's mandate vegetables and/or fruit with every meal
just because something is good, doesn't mean you have the right to force people to do it
It's all fine and dandy for mothers to breast feed, but what about those mothers who's baby simply WON'T? No matter what we've tried, my child would not breast feed and, believe me, we've tried everything.
This girl has no clue what she is talking about, really. And she thinks her mere celeb status is going to make a difference in this subject? No way... it ain't gonna happen.
Amen!
Lots of bitter, defensive people on here. I struggled for 5 months breastfeeding my son; apparently he was an extremely slow learner, but he eventually figured it out and I'm glad I stuck it out. I'm not rich, worked full time, had two stepchildren, yadda yadda. The fact that Gisele breastfeeds has nothing to do with her station in life.
If you are able to breastfeed, you should. If you can't, then you can't. If you CHOOSE not to because it's inconvenient or you think it's gross, your child will almost certainly still thrive. However, it is a selfish decision because it really is the best option for an infant.
What mother doesn't breastfeed cause she thinks it's gross?? Why do you have to make up reasons why women choose not to breastfeed? A mother who chooses not to breastfeed usually does so because that's the best decision for her and her baby in her particular situation.
I know someone who choose not to breastfeed because she thought it was gross and she didn't want to have to wake up at night. We are not friends anymore.
I think breastfeeding can be very gross, and I'm sure there are more woman out there who think that also, but they're too afraid to say so. I refuse to be brainwashed by the Milk Nazi's and let them make choices for me.
Strange that Lisa thought this was a made-up reason! Women who breastfeed for any length of time, especially in public places, are well aware of how many people think it's "gross."
I was sick during my entire pregnancy. I didn't have any breast miilk. The next time a super model wants to make a comment she should educate herself before opening her mouth & looking stupid.
It's funny how jus because a VERY FEW women can't breastfeed all women choose that excuse to not breastfeed.. At first, breastfeeding is not easy, but not imposible! I myself struggle for almost 2 weeks, but choose not to give up and now withy my 9 months baby still breastfeeding everything is awesome . I don understand how some women here can say there's no difference between breast milk and formula.... for God sake! Start reading all the ingredients at the back and do your research before you talk! There will always be things that you have to sacrifice in order to do what you feel is right, you just have to figure out what your priorities are and stick to them...In m case, my priority is m daughter. "Women should not feel guilty if they are unable to nurse their baby, but they should feel guilty if they are unwilling to do so, and they should be intellectually honest enough to know the difference."
Absolutely right!
Thanks Gisele for that helpful info. I guess in "Gisele's World", as a practicing physician I would no longer be a law abiding citizen by giving my children formula when I returned to work in a busy medical practice...taking care of patients. Got sit on your supermodel *ss and breastfeed.
That is not what she meant, she is just saying that IF you can breastfeed, please do. You guys are totally distorting her words. No big deal, so cut it off!
Breastfed or bottle fed, cloth or disposable diapers, natural childbirth or C-section, co-sleeping or in the crib, on demand or on a schedule, come on moms, let's support one another in whatever we choose. We all have different ways of parenting. As long as baby and mommy/daddy are happy and it works for your family then who cares? BTW, my 3 kids were all bottlefed by choice. They were seldom sick, they are not obese, they were always on the honor roll, all have graduated from college and they love their mom and dad very much.
Thanks for making sense, nmb! I am so tired of so-called celebrity experts and people who want to make everyone feel bad who doesn't agree with them. Bless you!
This is just another gem from the same woman who potty trained her son at 6 months.... imagine what that is going to do for his development.
She did not potty-train her son at 6 months, no matter what she said. A child is not potty-trained until s/he can go to the bathroom independently, or at least verbally tell you they need to go to the bathroom, pull down their own pants and take care of their own business by themselves. Anything else is the "parent being potty-trained" and is a load of hogwash. You get this a lot of times from South Americans, but I've never seen a single one of these kids be verbally or physically independent about their bathroom needs any quicker than the average American child. It's just the parent "catching" the BM, not the baby telling them. Not the same as 'potty-trained"!
Does she not realize that some women cannot breast-feed? My sister had a double mastectomy as a preventative measure two years before giving birth to her third child because breast cancer has taken its toll on almost all the women in my family does my sister deserve to be fined or given a citation or jailed because she gave my niece baby formula which Gisele views as poision? Most women who can't breast-feed are very sensitive about not being able to nurish their baby the best way so comments like Gisele Bundchen's are very insenitive and very ignorant. Besides that who exactly is going to police women to make sure they are breast-feeding. Like does Gisele think the police department should send cops to peoples homes and get right up on women to see if the breast milk is going right into baby's mouth. She should really think before she speaks she looks incredibly stupid.
97% of women can breastfeed exclusively...those are great odds! The vast majority who "cannot" actually COULD if they educated themselves, had support, and knew to seek help from a lactation expert instead of the run-of-the-mill pediatrician. Hospital LC's are often a joke and pediatricians are not properly trained to deal with breastfeeding problems.
I don't think there should be a law, but I understand the desire to stress the importance of natural feeding. It IS a huge deal, but the laws need to be about seeing that doctors are trained to deal with this, employers have to accomidate pumping moms, and protect women who nurse their children in public.
I'm all for protecting and encouraging women who nurse their children in public, as long as I can get a little peak and maybe an occational taste..... squirt squirt
This woman is a husband stealer. I hope her boobs get as flat as pancakes and her husband leaves her for someone else. She's an ugly cow.
My mom fed me formula milk all the way simply because she didn't have any breast milk for me. I now am a MD, PhD from an Ivy league university, and an athlete back in high school and college. To all the great mothers out there who cannot breastfeed, don't be so hard on yourselves and do ignore the criticism that Gisele gave. It is not the end of the world and your love, care and education for your kids are way more important than the milk itself.
I'm surprized your not a meth head poledancer because your mom didn't breastfeed you. She probably snuck a squeeze of breastmilk from your aunt so you would turn out okay.
Elena,
Kudos to your achievements, but you will never know your full potential because you were fed non-human milk. I worked with a pediatrician whose wife did not want to breastfeed. Every Christmas season he brings in a photograph of his two children, beaming with pride. Yes they look healthy, yes they have all their facultes and make the honor roll at school. But he will never know his children's full potential. One of the glorious benefits of breastfeeding is a connection with your baby and knowing that you are doing the best thing possible for your baby. Your mother's generation did not know. Luckily we have people like Gisele shouting from the rooftops because for those of us like Gisele – who managed to find a way to successfully breastfeed our babies – there's nothing better!
Ava,
She hasn't reached her full potential? Last time I checked a Ph D is nothing to scoff at...
@Ava- That is utter and absurd drivel. Clearly being breastfed did nothing to bring you to your full potential with that logic.
Actually, there are new studies that say breastmilk may be more harmful to babies than formula because of all the plastics and chemicals that are showing up in breastmilk (and in our bloodstreams) from the foods/cookware particulates we ingest; we are all guinea pigs! So moms, just do the best you can and don't let judgmental Gisele get you down. She is being completely unreasonable and irrational suggesting such a law.
Toxins in breast milk is a public health CRISIS and should have our full attention! Breastfeeding moms also need to know about DHA and vitamin D.
However, these are not good reasons to choose formula over breastfeeding. Beyond the artificial additives, formula (whether it be from soy or cow's milk) originates in an agri-business culture that is also rife with toxins. And then there are chemicals in the plastics in many bottles, and poisons in our tap water, and on and on and on. So the truth of this issue is, breastfeeding and bottle-feeding mothers should be united and UP IN ARMS about the toxins on our environment!
Breastfeeding is the only way to raise a child, if you do not breastfeed then you should get a nursemaild who can do it for you, if you dont do this then you should join Lindsey Lohan in jail where you belong because you refused to raise your child the way the beautiful Gisele wanted you to.
Gisele, You are a clown, Please be quiet.
oops, sorry....i meant in previous post: six month mandated maternity leave WITH pay should be MADE INTO LAW! =)
This woman has one child and now she's a spokeswoman for mothers world wide?! Models are paid to look good, not talk. That insults me as an experienced mother. I tried desperately to breast feed my first child and she refused. Flat out refused. Should I be arrested for this? She had reflux and ended up in the hospital for four days, one of the worst times in my life. My second child fed but I couldn't produce enough milk, even with pumping, and I had to finish her feedings with formula. As a mother who couldn't feed her two children with my own body, those two incidents made me feel worthless as a mother and I fell into a deep depression from it. This constant pressure to breastfeed makes us that can't feel worthless, we don't need extra pressure from someone who has been a mother a whole 8 effin months!! My peers tell me my kids are at risk for this and that and made the guilt even worse. Guess what? My now 18 year old gets over sickness in about 24 hours and has been that way her whole life. My five year old has an amazing immune system as well. Stop the pressure with the breast feeding please. We know it's best but if we can't, then leave us alone and stop with the guilt! My kids turned out just fine.
that's the prob w/ celebrities giving their 2-bit sense on things– they shove footballs down people's throats including their own.. sorry all mothers aren't perfect..
If she doesn't like choice in how we feed our kids– then move back to brazil.. does she even watch football??
Gisele Bundchen should stick to modeling and leave thinking to those equipped for it!
I am sick of people running their mouth about this one. I was medically unable to produce milk for my children. After feeling immensely bad about not being able to breastfeed, I now have enough distance on the issue to know that I did the best I could. I guess I could have let my children starve over having formula. My girls are happy and healthy teens despite the fact that they were formula fed babies. Gisele and the other breast feeding advocates, shut up about it.
ILLINOISMOM, doctors GENERALLY are an ignorant lot who only think inside the box where feeding our babies is concerned. They do not encourage breastfeeding for the most part. If you did a little actual research you would soon discover that the crap you fed your baby is not ANYWHERE near breastmilk. Scientists cannot even yet identify all the amazing elements in breastmilk much less DUPLICATE breastmilk. Try reading "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding". Your head might just explode. It's a huge commitment to breastfeed and the benefits go eons beyond nutrution. AND THE NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS CAN'T BE UNDERSTATED!!! Breastfeeding releases OXYTOCIN in the brain. Oxytocin is often called "the mothering hormone". Big pharma is trying to recreate the effects so they can CASH IN! I believe postpartum depression would not be the issue it is if mothers breastfed! I'm so proud of Gisele for having the courage to speak out about the Hugely inportant issue! GISELE, YOU GO GIRL!!!
Ignorant Bimbo! It is better to keep your skinny model mouth shut and be thought stupid than to open it and remove all doubt!!!
You are so right on the mark!!! Does everyone recall how she claimed Tom's first child with someone else was more or less her baby. How many mom's would want that??? Maybe she breastfed Tom's first born too. This *%&%*$ needs to go away!!!!
I breastfeed and I work out of the home and it is HARD to maintain when you have to sneak off to a closet in your office three times a day to use a breast pump. I would have liked to do yoga and karate until 2 weeks before my baby was born, but I was working during the day and looking after my other child while my husband worked at night.
Good for Giselle, that she is able to be so fabulous. My life as a short, frumpy mom does not compare.
I think think it should be a law that super models never open their mouths. How dare someone like her think she can speak for the world. What a total bimbo.
Here's the thing ~
She's right, on several counts... breastfeeding is always best for the babies. If you can stick it out, do it...
HOWEVER ~
Supermodels should do what they do best ~ smile and not speak.
What about the women who Can't? What about the women who's body barely stood pregnancy, and their milk made their children ill?
Shut up, and know there will never be a law based on an OPINION.
Uh no...breastfeeding actually is not always best for babies. Most babies but not all babies! Not when your baby has classic galactosemia – in that case, breastmilk (and all animal milk, for that matter) will cause brain damage, liver damage and death. Thank god for newborn screening and soy formula.
Hey Giselle,
Tell you what...I won't ask for a law preventing you from breastfeeding if you don't push for a law that pushes your beliefs on me or anyone else who chooses not to do as you have done. Kay?
Maybe you're right, maybe you aren't. But WHAT I DO OR DO NOT DO WITH MY BODY IS MY OWN FREAKING BUSINESS NOT YOURS YOU FREAKIN" HOMEWRECKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a stupid woman. Who really cares what some supermodel thinks anyway?? I wouldn't have traded breastfeeding my children for anything in this world. There are plenty of good mothers who chose not to. And that is their choice!! We have enough laws that take away our freedoms as it is. this should definately be a law.
I aggree 100% with Gisele..This is not about a model ...this is what is the best for you baby...and please believe breastfeeding is the best what you can give to your baby ..to give him a good start with his health...
...Mommys should spent more time with their babies..and why not start doing the right thing!!!!
Awwww, what's wrong, poor little rich girl.....Tom doesn't want to get up with the baby at night?
I'm not in favor that there should be a law, but I do believe mother's milk is best. If you can't, than so be it, but if you can, you should at least consider it. As for those talking about not being able to continue after returning to work – I am a full time attorney with two children, both of which I provided my milk to for the first year of each of their lives with little to no supplementation. It's called dedication. If you choose to do it, it's important, and you are committed to do it, then you find a way. Going back to work is an excuse to stop – it's easier than enduring the pump and the exhaustion from working, being a mom, and producing milk. Breastfeeding requires a lot of support from everyone – your work place, the father of the children (or your partner), relatives, and friends, but it also requires true committement. I've even traveled on business and still maintained my supply. I encourage all women, including celebrities, to speak out in favor of breastfeeding, but instead of making that a law, there should be laws in place to help moms who want to breastfeed do so without any issues.
I agree with your statement 100%: there should be laws in place to help moms who want to breastfeed do so without any issues. Breastfeeding and working does take commitment. With my son, I pumped 5 times a day – once before leaving to work, 3 times at work, and one after I put him to bed. Thats over two hours a day hooked up to a breastpump! Its hard enough without feeling like you have to hide in the corner when you nurse your baby, or go out to the car when you are in a restaurant, so that others are not offended.
OMG, I would just like to thank ALL the ladies out there! I couldn't have said it better myself. I had 2 kids, c-section each one. Had to, didn't dialaite either time. Didn't have milk either time. So not only did I get to miss the miracle of actually giving birth, I didn't get to "feed" them. So I really LOVE it when some rich, thin new Mom tells the world what should and should not be a LAW? I'm sorry, I have to stop now, I'm laughing so hard, I'm peeing my pants (oh that I got from kid #2, bladder has not been the same for 25 years)
Having a c-section has nothing to do with breastfeeding. I also didn't dilate and had an emergency c-section after 18 hours of labor, yet I breastfeed my baby for 10 mos.
@Kara
C-sections can have an adverse effect on breastfeeding; good for you that you were able to do so in spite of it. When the baby doesn't go out the "normal" way, the body doesn't get the opening rush of hormones that stimulate milk production. Baby will likely be drowsy from meds rushing through Mom's system, and establishing the first, really important latch can be delayed.
Of course, since Mom is likely to be rather doped up, there's less pain on her part when the baby is brought to her the first time, so she can feed longer and more persistently.
My awesomely socialist boss from England allowed me to stay home three days a week to work from home so I could breastfeed by daughter her first year, the other two days a week I pumped in a bathroom stall because they had no designated place for pumping Moms. We need the United States to get on board with Europe's view of family and motherhood, give working mothers better family leave so those who want to breastfeed successfully can give it a solid effort. Gisele's first language is not English, I'm sure she meant no harm to other mothers in her comments, but her passion for breastfeeding is refreshing in this chemically enhanced world.
She is a narrow-minded bubble-head. Let's see if she can breastfeed triplets! Who is she to judge any of us...give me a break! and I guess what! I breastfed triplets! She has no idea what she's talking about. Formula or breast-milk...as long as you're calm and loving...it doesn't matter.
Shhhhh, Gisele! Shhhhhh! (Does this woman not have a PR person to tell her to stop talking???)
Breastfeeding is the absolute best thing for mother and baby. However, Gisele just needs to stop talking. She sounds more ignorant every time she speaks. Not everyone has her time off, extra help, resources, genetically gifted body, and highly inflated bank account. Not everyone is married to a man who left his pregnant girlfriend for them either. That should be against the law, right along with mandated six month maternity leave with pay.
I get what she is saying, it is best. I understand that there are a FEW (very few) mothers who truely cannot breastfeed, however, most of the ones that I've seen are simply victims of bad medical advice and doctors who urge them to give up at the first sign of difficulty. As for all you mothers who have to work and thus "can't breastfeed" They have these great inventions now, called breastpumps, I suggest investing in one. I pumped for a year after my daughter was born. Was it uncomfortable? Yes. Did I have to endure some cow jokes from my co-workers? Of course. Did I give up and settle for formula because it's "easier" Not a chance.
Also, I love the moms who say formula is "easier" Guess what, in the middle of the night when your baby's hungry you have to get, stumble to the kitchen and prepare formula. You know what I did. I rolled over, stuck my boob in her mouth and went back to sleep.
You know, I did the same, bethkat; I rolled over, scooped up my baby and let her latch on and nurse away in the night. She was my 3rd. The thing is, not all babies do well with breastfeeding, and I am an LC. My daughter had her first, breast fed and though it wasn't easy, she did fine, except the baby's bilirubin shot sky-high and stayed there so long and so high, she was about to have to have a liver transplant when they tried stopping the breast feeding, and guess what? She did fine. 30 days in a light box, only being held to be fed, and why? because she wasn't tolerating breast milk. Sometimes that happens. In her case, it was very severe. Gisele think she should be put in jail? She's a great mom otherwise. Hmmmmm, don't think so. Gisele should just say, "This is my opinion, women should breast feed." and then hush. She has no real knowledge, just and opinion.......
I meant to say my daughter is a great mom otherwise; I don't really know about Gisele. 🙂
WOW...you are the exact image of what a mother should be. I rolled over popped my boob in her mouth and went back to sleep. LOVELY.
i super agree with you. breastfeeding is WAY easier than using a formula – no sterilizing needed, no clean up, no mess, no needing to check if milk is cool/hot enough for the baby, etc.
@sallen – breastmilk is the easiest food to digest – which means no matter how you feed the baby before going out, the baby WILL GET HUNGRY. that's why it's best for babies.
I love all you holier than thou mothers that like to make the rest of us feel like terrible parents because we had the audacity to feed our children formula. I made that choice with my doctor's blessing, and we consulted on what the best, most nutritious formula would be for my daughter. I was never once made to feel like I was harming my child in any way – and that is the person that should be telling me what and what not to feed my child, NOT some supermodel with no medical training. I'm sorry, but neither your celebrity nor your money gives you the right to judge and make ridiculous claims about breastfeeding being a law. She needs to stick with what she knows, and, last time I checked, she did not have an M.D. after her name.
I fully agree with you. No new parent of one can sit and judge a billion other mom's worldwide by their choice of whether they breastfeed or not. I have a extremely happy and healthy daughter I raise on my own, who didn't need breastfeeding to make her healthy, nor bond with me. She would be attached to my hip if I allowed it for crying out loud! Being judgmental of other parents will not help you sell a book Giselle. Maybe you should walk a mile in other Mom's less expensive shoes before you continue to spout garbage you have no idea about. Do you really believe that companies like Similac, or Good Start would produce a product unsafe for newborns? Oh that's right, you as a Brazilian Model must know more then the many good doctors rocking the P.H.D's.
I have no problem with her comments. She was just trying to get the point across that breastfeeding is the best nutrition for any human baby. I'm also glad she is bringing attention to the fact the we really have no idea what is in the formula we feed our babies. Have you ever looked at the ingredient list?! One of the very first things is usually vegetable oil or some by product of corn followed by a bunch of other randmon man made chemicals. I have a feeling she was referring to the women who don't want to for superficial reasons. I understand very well how difficult breastfeeding/pumping can be especially while working. However I think it's important to at least try.
Oh, yeah, a LAW??? I'm one hundred percent for breastfeeding, but some women can't do it for various reasons (ranging from physical to work-related) and these women shouldn't be penalized or guilted for not breastfeeding. That's absurd.
OK, is there something offensive in the comment I am trying to leave above, for Kristen?
I'll trying editing out the only word I can think of that my be causing trouble. Holy cow!!!
Kristen lists several ways to make breastfeeding easier and more common, and gets almost no response. Interesting.
What she does get is Cheryl's uninformed, twisted judgement as evidence that there are still women (a *lot*, I suspect) who won't breastfeed their children because they think that breasts are for s**.
my baby drank beer at 12 weeks old.
I sooooo want to yell at you, but I'm too busy LAUGHING my ass off. Maybe once I stop with the giggles..... People we really do need to lighten up a little? Raising kids, is hard freckin work. If you are lucky enough to have stayed home with them, it's even harder on you. No alone time, EVER..... But sersiously, we need to gag these rich NEWBIES, they just make us feel worthless and we arn't. I know lets compare in 18 years.... see who's kids have been in rehab or college?
Let me guess...the baby preferred bottles, not cans.
ROLMFAO!!!!!!
I struggled to breastfeed, my daughter was tongue tied and because of that and a cesarean I was having difficulties making enough milk. I met roadblocks at every turn including ignorant nurses and doctors. I finally found the right help I needed and was able to breastfeed for three years, even after returning to full time employment after 12 weeks.
I still think this comment from Gisele was poorly thought out. I am tired of mothers getting all the blame if breastfeeding doesn't work for them. Here are some laws or policies I would like to see instead:
– require that all post partum nurses and pediatricians be trained as lactation consultants or have health insurance pay for consulations with a LC.
– world wide government funded maternity leave for at least six months, preferably a year.
– require employers to provide breaks and a location for women to pump
These are the things that would help more women breastfeed.
–
your comment to make laws to make breastfeeding easier for moms (providing a room for pumping, making maternity leaves longer {6 mos to 1 year}) is more doable than making it a law to breastfeed.
i did it for 3&1/2 years for my son, when he was born premature and via cs delivery.
YOU BREASTFED A 3 YEAR OLD? Sick.
Posting again since I seem to have identified the word the puritanical editorial staff at CNN has a problem with - OMG!
Kristen lists several ways to make breastfeeding easier and more common, and gets almost no response. Interesting.
What she does get is Cheryl's uninformed, twisted judgement as evidence that there are still women (a *lot*, I suspect) who won't breastfeed their children because they think that breasts are for s**.
most sensible reply kristen..
Kristen – the last point is already law. The healthcare bill that was signed into law in March requires that employers provide adequate space for a woman to pump breastmilk, and to provide time to pump, if breaks are authorized for other employees (for example, smoke breaks).
The Department of Labor fact sheet to show non-compliant employers can be found here:
http://www.huschblackwell.com/pdf/Nursing%20Mother%20DOL%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
I would LOVE to breastfeed, as adult, off Gisele! Where do I sign up?
Gisele, you are an IDIOT. This is probably the most ignorant thing I have ever read. Please become educated, stop making assumptions and maybe the public will find some respect for you again. You have no clue what you're talking about.
First of all she says “Some people here think they don't have to breastfeed” she's not talking about Mom's that can't breastfeed (although that number is VERY small). She's talking about Mom's that just choose not to, for whatever reason. That is their right, but the FACT is that breast milk is the best thing for both Mom and the baby. Some of the comments on here are about having to work, will that is also your choice. Are you choosing to live in a 2000 + square foot house and everything that goes with it? I would rather live in a more modest home, and stay at home with my child. Again your choice, but stop crying about how you have to work then.
Liz, some of us do stay home with our children and some people cannot afford to do that even if they live in an apartment. I am a stay at home and I still couldn't do it. I had to make the best decision for my son who lost alot of weight due to my breastfeeding.
My question is what do we do when we physically cannot breastfeed? You seem to think everything is a choice, so what if it's not? What is your answer to that?
stop crying that i have to work? are you going to pay my bills on my less than modest house and buy my food?
What planet are you on? I have never known ANY two-parent family who didn't have to work. They own modest homes and usually a "new" car for them was off the used lot. It's about having health insurance and basic needs. I guess you know a lot of rich yuppie career minded people. I don't.
Liz – let me guess. You are able to stay home in your "modest" home because your husband is fortunate enough to have a job that ALLOWS you to stay home. We are not all so fortunate – even those of us in a two income home. Do us all a favor and get off of your high horse, breast feed your baby, and watch a little Oprah while he/she is napping. The rest of us don't need to hear you spout the reasons you think we are living beyond our means and poisoning our babies with evil formula so we can drive nicer cars and live in glorious homes. People like you need a reality check.
To Liz: I live in a 1200 sq foot, 80+ year old house on a 50 x 150 lot. A fixer upper that we can't afford to fix. We could never afford to have children due to my husband's disabilities. Not all women who work do so because they have to have luxuries, some of us do it to survive. Sometimes life throws you a curve and a woman is put in the position of breadwinner. So please be careful, it is a mighty big fall from that high horse you are riding.
@B_E_S
I agree with you, good luck and best wishes
Liz, I'm sorry, but that was about the most ignorant post I've seen here. Assuming that moms who work are just doing it to maintain some kind of over-extended, consumerist lifestyle when they should be home breastfeeding their babies? You are either a right-wing Christian homeschooler or a left-wing off-the-grid hippie (it's amazing how similar those two types are). The rest of us live somewhere in the middle... in the real world.
What an idiot! I'm certainly not taking morthering tips from an anorexic "super model" read: Stupid Model.
I fully intended to breastfeed when I had my child, but almost died in chilbirth and was unable to nurse. We used formula, and I'm so glad we did. My mother and husband were able to feed my son immediately and developed a nice bond with him from the start. I don't regret it a bit. He is a HEALTHY 3 yr old who's never had a cold or the flu. He's not overweight. Many people were not breastfed and turned out fine. Get a life!
Yeah, my ex was becoming more abusive and I was not able to produce much milk. My son opted to give ME up at the age of 4.5 months as he was at daycare and no one else was using a bottle. He always thought he was older than his physical age. He would be laughing at this model..... a law. Gee.
Some of us need to go back to work before six months is up. Where and how, pray, do I breastfeed my daughter while she's in daycare and I'm in the office? Do I keep her in my cubicle with me and disturb my coworkers? Do I drive to daycare several times a day and explain to my employer, "So sorry, gotta run and feed my daughter again. Can this assignment wait until I get back?" Believe me, I would love to breastfeed her for at least six months, but at work, there's no place I can even pump unless I choose to pump in a toilet stall. So hygienic. This ideal is not feasible for those of us who are part of the working world and do not have flexible schedules.
I breastfed all my three children while going back after 3 months to working full time, my employer provided me with an appropriate room and I pumped every 3 hours. I am not saying it was easy but it was the BEST choice...
I find it terribly exhausting to listen to all the reason's why you couldn't breastfeed and work at the same time. Screw inconveniencing your co-workers... if it's between that and the best for your child then you breast feed when you can and pump when you can not! Period! All these women who are YELLING about the medicines they were on and that they couldn't breastfeed... fine... I'm sure you went to your doctors and ask for any alternative medications that were available before deciding not to breastfeed. And if you did... then you did all you could. Most women who say they couldn't ... MOST.... could have with the right support (whether it be work, family, friends). Unfortunately we do not live in a society that puts family's first. But I have to say... it's up to us mothers to do whatever you can to do what's right for the baby. And to often mom's take the easy way out. no one said it was going to be easy, but you do what is best. I had to pump my babies milk in the ladies rest room for an entire year so that I could give my son the best! It wasn't fun or easy but it was the right thing to do so I DID IT! Most women yelling about couldn't do this couldn't do that are trying to yell over the voice in their head saying " you know what... you could have tried harder!"
Trust me, it's more than inconveniencing coworkers and clients by having a squalling baby in my cubicle. I don't know about you, but I NEED my job and I'm not about to do anything to jeopardize it – not in this economy. Tell me, how good would it be for my daughter if I were unemployed, hm? I'm not giving my employer any excust to lay me off. And I am NOT pumping in a bathroom stall. That's disgusting. I'll pump when I can, breastfeed when I can, and feed her formula to supplement when I must. And don't you DARE judge me.
Not judging, Kate. But the choice isn't between bringing your baby to work with you, or stopping the breastfeeding relationship. There are several companies that make high-quality pumps that can be used to pump breastmilk. And fortunately for all of us, the health care law passed earlier this year REQUIRES that employers provide employees adequate space to pump breastmilk, and breaks to do so (if other breaks, like smoke breaks, are authorized to other employees).
Here's a Department of Labor fact sheet to show your employer if you do not have an adequate place to pump:
http://www.huschblackwell.com/pdf/Nursing%20Mother%20DOL%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
gisele, most of us are not rich supermodels with maids and nannies. some of us have to work at jobs where it is nearly impossible to pump milk. she is so self righteous, judging everyone else, didn't she encourage a man to leave his pregnant g/f?
I'm all with you when you call her self-righteous and the reasons you cited to explain why some moms fail to breastfeed. However, we need to be fair with her. She's started dating her current husband after he had broken up with his girlfriend for a few months. People in the media new that Tom Brady was in the "market" again. As for the breastfeeding controversy, I'm one hundred percent with you. Gisele missed a good moment to remain quiet. Or at least she could have encouraged breastfeeding without attacking anyone. She came across as insensitive and a bit dictatorial.
Oh…an anorexic model is the oracle of wisdom on all things motherly. Please stop embarrassing yourself. You show people your as# for a living…please leave the bio-analysis to someone with a clue. By the way…the Patriots suck and Tom Brady is gay.
I have to admit, I used to feel the same way. I thought that all women should breastfeed their babies. When I had my son, I breastfed for 8 weeks. In that time, I had a baby who would not latch, then would not suck. I would feed him, pump, and then feed what I pumped. I did this every three hours.I took medication to increase my milk supply. I tried every home remedy I could find. Nothing worked. After 8 weeks, my son lost a considerable amount of weight and my family doctor urged me to stop breastfeeding, for the well-being of my son and for my own sanity.
I believe her comments were not meant to offend anyone, but all the same, it's a little ignorant of her. Personally, I can't help but be a little offended by it. I tried my damndest, and it just didn't work.
As a previous poster said, to each her own.
Oh, that sounds so familiar. For those of you who don't know, when you have to pump to feed breast milk, you have to pump every 3 hours around the clock? That means you are on a never-ending regimen of pumping, feeding and pumping some more. You can't sleep even if the baby would let you sleep, because you have to get up to pump. Then you have to clean and sterilize all the pumping equipment after every time you pump. It's an insane treadmill and it leaves already fragile new moms an exhausted, nervous wreck. And guess what? Studies show that sane mothers are much healthier for babies than crazy ones. So lay off the many, many moms who tried to breastfeed their babies and couldn't. They are making the best decisions for their babies that they can.
Breast Feeding is a personal choice. Breast feeding is not for everyone. To each her own.
breastfeeding is NOT a personal choice, it's a public health issue. http://massbreastfeeding.org/pubhealth/
It is best to breastfeed, no sane mom will deny that. However, there are many medical reasons that prevent breastfeeding. To make a law of it, is totally ignorant. Those who are pro-breastfeeding with no knowledge of mothers who have had to put their baby on medical formula due to severe allergy or mothers who had serious delivery complications causing them to live in great pain for months, have no place in this conversation. They are not aware of the real world but are only looking at their own selves.
Kay says:
"It is best to breastfeed, no sane mom will deny that. "
And yet, all up and down this page there are women saying that their bottle-fed children are "healthy," "smart," "never get sick," etc., as if to say they don't really believe breast milk makes any difference. The differences are subtle - nobody is claiming that bottle-fed kids are sickly or unintelligent! But studied in large numbers, breastfed children have advantages.
And the advantages go beyond antibodies! So far, I haven't read any comments that discuss the infant's mouth/jaw development. The suckling/swallowing action of a nursing baby is different from that of a bottle-fed baby, and this leads to subtle differences in the shape of the mouth. Another good reason to breastfeed at least part-time, if at all possible.
Now here's someone who shouldn't be allowed to speak in public.
should be a law that d*mbass models should not be allowed to make public statements. Let her make these complaints to other celebrity mothers who have time to listen to this garbage and take the time off like laura said.
Okay did we forget that she has millions of dollars, and can take more that 3 months of maternity leave than most women. I could only take 3 months off from work when I had my son. It was very difficult to continue breastfeeding when I had to go back to work to survive. It sucks when someone who has way more luxuries than most American women do not have is saying it should be law. I am glad she is an advocate for breatfeeding, but she has some neve saying that breastfeeding should be a law. Trust me women feel bad enough like I did knowing that I could not breastfeed longer that 3 months. I don't need anyone telling me I am a terrilble mother because of it.
Laura makes good points. This model has tons of money and probably had tons of personal time to breastfeed and prepare her body. Most women, especially those who do real work, don't have the time to pamper their body to the extreme that this model expects. In a perfect world....maybe. Many moms for medical reasons can not breastfeed. I can't believe she never heard of this before? She needs to go volunteer in a hospital and see what other mothers go through in difficult pregnancies.
It may be the best way to feed babies but not all mothers can do it...she so annoying and needs to shut up please.
She's an idiot. I tried and failed to breastfeed. Yes, I tried HARD and had medical support. I simply didn't make enough milk. Peds doctor and OB both told me this does happen. I am tired of the breastfeeding dogmatics trying to make everyone feel guilty. My son is just fine – thank you very much.
So you fail at breastfeeding... whatever... now how does that make her an idiot?
Mamacoops, peds docs and OBs have been some of the most ignorant people I've ever met when it comes to breastfeeding. If you have any more kids, contact a certified lactation nurse. I've personally had horrible advice from peds/OBs and I've also represented several of them in court when they've been sued – there are really some idiots out there.
It makes her an idiot because no one cares what she thinks. She is a model for crying out loud. Why should she have anything to say about how other people live their lives. She models clothing. She is not a social scientist.
Thank you for these words! I tried breastfeeding all 4 of my children, and I hated it. Onjce I changed them to a bottle, they were much happier, and so was I. My daughters and daughter-in-laws have all bottle fed their babies, and the kids are healthy and happy. What about all the adopted children that got no breast milk? They're all healthy too. Gisele should understand that her celebrity certainly does not make her an expert. This is only her first baby, by the way....and she thinks she's Mother Nature. Trash-mouth.
She is very stupid and inconsiderate. She is very narrow-minded and judgemental of others. If there is a law that you must breastfeed then you will go to jail if for medical reasons you are unable to? I am Brazilian and I am ashamed at her comments. She needs to be better informed or shut up.
I agree that breastfeeding is best but sadly some moms can't for many, many different serious reasons. This model doesn't know the real world apparently. The idea of making a law out of it?? What planet is she from?
You should go turn yourself in right now.
sunny: As a mother of an adopted child....I breast fed him for 6 months...without hormone stimulation using natural herbs and a breast pump (6 months prior to his birth). It hurt like heck!!! but I would not change a sinlge thing. He has used antibiotics once in 8 years...topically for an ear infection. I passed on my antibodies to him and he is a stronger person as a result. Bottle feeding (unless medically incapable of producing milk) is the lazy way to feed your infant.
I too ended up not producing enough milk to completely satisfy my baby. I consulted a lactation consultant and drank gallons of "Mother's Milk" tea, along with eating boatloads of "lactation encouraging" foods. In the end, I decided I would continue to feed my baby whatever I was producing, and supplement with formula as needed. I probably ended up doing half and half until she was almost a year old. I figured some breast milk was better than none. Why do so few women with a lower milk supply seem to go with this approach? Why does it have to be all or nothing?
I also never had my milk come in. I tried to breastfeed, didn't supplement, had a nurse make sure I was doing it right. It just didn't happen. I felt bad, but I wasn't going to starve my daughter because of my desire to breastfeed. And then I started getting bombarded with these hateful breastfeeding nazis who claim that they knew better than I did and all women's breasts work properly... or that it was extremely rare for women not to produce milk so I must be lying, and how dare I do this to my child? My child went nearly a week of her life without being fed and was crying her eyes out in hunger while I put up with a severe case of hives from latex and adhesive allergens applied to my skin during labor and delivery so as not to taint my non-existent milk with the steroid shot I would need to get rid of it. I put up with that pain and itching for nearly a week for my child. I didn't feel guilt. I felt anger. How dare this idiot model decide that the entire world should be forced to breastfeed just because she can?! Then what? People who can't produce milk have to go through the humiliation of proving it to some bureaucrat just so we aren't arrested? And what about people who have chronic illnesses? Do they have to get some special permission not to poison their child with their medications? Gisele is a model. She stands around looking good in clothes all day. No one pays her for something useful, something which requires any level of education. She isn't a doctor. She should just keep standing around with her mouth shut. I'm sure she's good at that.
Oh, yeah... and my bottle-fed daughter is nearly 12 years old now. She's tall, thin, smart, self-confident, and healthy. I doubt she's some freak of nature. So much for that theory about formula.
Wow, why do you feel guilty? I'm pretty sure she meant that if you CAN breastfeed your baby, then you should. It is not a personal attack on those who are unable, such as yourself. I don't think you should be blaming Gisele for your guilt. It sounds like maybe you think you gave up too easy, and hearing someone else's success makes you feel convicted. Try to relax about it, no one is condemning you.
Breastfeeding is the BEST way to feed children!! Human milk cannot be duplicated, and it is not so incredibly expensive! The bond between mother and child is more special with breastfeeding!
And what if your milk does not come in? WHat if you are MEDICALLY UNABLE to breastfeed? Does that make you less of a mother? Does that mean you go to PRISON????????? Some women can't – plain and simple. Not everyone who does not breastfeed HAS A CHOICE! Why do women forget this???????
I agree. As a mother that was medically unable to breastfeed, I still feel the horrible "guilt" placed on me by others who do not understand that. Or by those who thought it was me being lazy or not trying. I don't know if I've ever tried anything harder in my life! I choose to give my child formula because it was that , or let him starve to death.
That's a crock! Holding a baby and feeding it is the bond-latching it onto your breast like a dog, pig, or any other animal doesn't do anymore for the bonding experience. Get over yourself and go back to your wacky la leche league meetings. By the way, my children are all perfectly healthy, happy, loving people now-imagine that!
You said it well Celeste and Falalala!
celeste: How incredibly sad for you that you do not appriciate the bonding of breats feeding. Since infants do NOT see well until about 10 weeks post-natal, they rely on their sense of smell. This genetic response draws them to their mother's breast in search of nourishment. This is not a matter of vanity/status or choice. This is evolution. Denying the facts won't further your twisted argument.
Here's a new one for ya. My first gagged on me. Hypersensitive gag reflex. Oh yes it is REALLY a bonding experience when you make your child vomit, let me tell you. Then my second, I nursed for a while and then got post partum depression and had a near panic attack every time she latched on. And by ending nursing I was able to take much better medications for the PPD and get better and finally bond with my baby.
There are issues beyond adoption and being physically unable that make Giselle's statements so offensive.
To all those who had wonderful experiences, I am jealous. I did want that for my babies, and with both I pumped for as long as I could keep up with demand with my better than average pump's capabilities.
Bottom line, I am eternally grateful I live in an era where good formula exists. It most certainly saved my first one's life as she simply could not breastfeed without throwing up.
I have a wonderful bond with all three of my boys. I have been fortunate enough that none of them have suffered with any type of chronic illness or medical issues. I chose not to breastfeed. All that said, I have the utmost respect for women that do but am really sick and tired of the extreme breastfeeding women that want to relegate the non-breastfeeding population to subpar mothers. I have friends that wanted to breastfeed and couldn't and it wasn't because they were supplementing or were busy doing other things, it simply because they weren't producing. I have a friend whose child just didn't want to and instead of starving the child she chose to make sure that her child ate so she started her on formula. If you want to breastfeed and want to encourage others to do so then go ahead but take a moment to jump off your soapbox and attempt to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Don't villify people for a situation you yourself have never had or chosen to deal with. In other words, you would be far more effective in your message if you weren't so accusatory and judgemental. In regards to Gisele, she lives a lifestyle that i'm sure few of us have the ability to do. If she was able to cleanse her body, and do all her exercise and etc etc, good for her. I don't live her life and therefore she should probably keep her mouth shut when it comes to trying to tell other people how to live theirs.
I am so sorry I ever thought all supermodles are stupid!
How cool for her to use her celebrity to say something a lot of new (& old moms like me) moms think. It's really just common sense, cows milk=made for cows, supermodles milk(and all humanmother's milk) made for human babies. Anything else you feed a baby is inferior and like Gisele I know that every baby deserves the best! Illness, life-long obesity and many other social maladys have been tied to bottle feeding.
So YOU choose not to breastfeed. Fine. I don't want you arrested but because you feel guilty that should not be the reason that all people should not be educated about the benifits and successful routes to breastfeeding their babies.
Yes ALL people as men should know why breasts are really important even when they aren't in the center of a magazine with staples in them.
As a mother that was medically unable to breast feed – I want to thank you for your acceptance and for your support of other women. You are ignorant. Not all women have that choice. It would be lovely to be able to breastfeed for whatever amount of time but that is not necessarily feasible for everyone...we should feel guilty? Shame on you.
Breastfeeding is not a choice for some people, me included. Seizure drugs don't do great things for a breastfeeding infant. If I had the option I would be thrilled to breastfeed my son but I'm pretty sure he will thank me in the long run for not putting "mommy's icky stuff" in him.
She's right.
Thank you Gisele.
Years ago, an elderly couple were upset at a young mother breastfeeding her baby discretely in the back corner of the luncheonette at K-Mart in Venice FL, and complained to the manager, who came to the mother, embarrassed her for doing the right thing, and kicked her out of the store. I haven't set foot in a K-Mart since and never will again.
A law requiring it may be a little extreme, but laws should absolutely be passed that make breastfeeding infants permissible everywhere and levy stiff penalties against those who would seek to prevent feeding the best nourishment in the world.
You said it VTTallGirl! Some moms don't have a choice. I love my children and would have loved to breastfeed but my kids ended up on medical formula because nothing would work for them. It wasn't cow-formula either but a very very expensive formula. Shaming mothers is the last thing we need to do. Today, moms need all the support they can get. They work very hard and are expected to do the most important job in the world: raise children. This model is obviously lost on the real world.
So you're as stupid as a supermodel is what you are telling us?
I have four children. We adopted our two oldest children and then were surprised with two sons later in life. Of course I did not nurse my older daughters, but when I found myself pregnant I made up my mind I wanted to nurse because it is best. My daughters were very healthy babies, with just an occassional cold here and there. My sons, on the other hand, struggled with ear infections, croup, reflux...
I'm not saying that breast feeding isn't best; I AM saying that if you can't breastfeed, don't kick yourself. I've raised wonderful, healthy daughters on formula.
When I was young my mother taught me that a little bit of knowledge was a dangerous thing. It seems Ms. Giselle has come across "a little bit of knowledge."
I too couldn't breastfeed, not physically able too. Also, what about single workings mother's who have jobs where breast pumping would be very difficult? I see where she is coming from, but she went to far saying it should be required/ a law.
I am a single mother who has 2 jobs and has nursed and pumped breastmilk for my daughter for a year now.. It is possible!! You just need to be determined and not be afraid to speak up for yourself. Mind you, I have not had an acctual break or a full lunch time in a year because that is when I chose to pump.
I think a law of breastfeeding is a bit extreme.. If you can breastfeed.. do it by all means!! It is so rewarding.. even if you only do it for a few weeks/months. But if you can't because of a medical problem or if you just do not want to that is up to the mother and no other person should have the right to tell them what to do.
Good for you, Kasie. It *can* be done by regular moms and has nothing to do with wealth and class (as a poster above was suggesting).
The "law" idea is silly, and I doubt she meant it literally. But the truth is, many women find excuses not to breastfeed, and then get angry and defensive when those of us who did nurse point out that we made sacrifices for the well-being of our children. Of course there are medical reasons why *some* women should not breastfeed! We all know that. But the number of women who make that claim is statistically unlikely.
If you adopted your children, why are you so defensive? Although it *is* possible for a woman to lactate without giving birth, it is exceedingly difficult and often the infant still requires supplemental formula. But very few people are even aware that it is possible, so... most of the time pro-breastfeeding women are not thinking about moms and infants who are not biologically related. It's an oversight, and it's understandable that adoptive parents get offended by that. But almost no one is judging adoptive moms for feeding their babies formula. This is a straw man in the breastfeeding debate!
The other commonly-cited reason for not breastfeeding is low milk supply. And this is the one that really upsets many of us. It is very rare that a woman cannot produce milk to nurture her biological child! Lots of women struggle in the beginning, but persistence and education and proper support from medical professionals almost always pay off in time! Those mothers who say they could not produce milk need to understand that they probably lacked one or more of those things. For the sake of ALL moms and babies, they should try to identify what they or their doctors could have done differently that would have allowed them to nurse successfully. It is not about judging you! The past is past. But new mommas are made every day, and we are still perpetuating the myth that many of them just "can't" breastfeed.
Once we accomplish that, and all women who want to nurse are able to, then all we're left to talk about is the question of personal preference. I, for one, think a little bit of pro-breastfeeding peer pressure is right and good
Uh yeah, Hope – its actually super model, not super modle. Just sayin'.
Thanks Gisele. When I have a personal trainer, a personal chef, a few million dollars and the luxury to not have to work 40 hours a week during and after my pregnancy, I'll get right on that.....
I just wanted to address the time and expense aspects. I breastfed two children in the 90s when I was a full time student and my husband had a low paying job. We actually found that formula was extremely expensive before the first was born and that was a factor in the decision. It wasn't easy and I ended up having to pump in a rest room at the university and then store milk in an ice chest in the biology lab refridgerator, which was less than ideal. I bet I was one of the only students that was lugging bottles of breast milk in their backpacks! Anyway, we had no formula expenses (plus no diaper expenses cause we used cloth and washed our own – but that is a REAL pain in the butt!) Since I had day classes and he worked nights – no babysitting expenses either. Not great for newlyweds, but excellent for the budget.
You can pump and freeze (only for about a week) we used the plastic liners, poured milk in them, froze it, then popped the liners out and had a little plastic coated milk-popcicle. You can drop the frozen liner into a warm cup of water and let it warm up to feeding temp. This way dad can do feedings with a bottle.
As far as time goes, the frozen milk can be a great help- pump when you have time and store it. I always tried to feed from the breast when possible, but that wasn't always the case.
I always found it upsetting that people seemed to be so offended by my breast feeding. I always covered up the whole baby and my chest with a light blanket, so it wasn't like they could see anything. Believe me, I am super modest! But there just wasn't any alternative a lot of the time. I am embarassed to admit that I breast fed both my kids while sitting on a public toilet because there was no where to go that I could sit in even semi-privacy. Just a chair or a bench in a public restroom would have been SO appreciated!
I am ashamed that things have not improved at all. Teen girls can bop around with their thongs sticking up out of their jeans and their bellies exposed, but when people see a mother and child in the most natural of activities they freak out. Most public rest rooms now have changing tables, even in many men's restrooms, but you still don't see a bench or a chair or anything for nursing mothers.
I don't really care if you breastfeed your baby or not (by the way, if you can't produce, try leleche league – they have many donors) I don't see how anyone could argue that breast milk is not the ideal food for a baby, so I think its the best choice. I just wanted to say that it is super economical, you loose baby weight a lot faster, and you really can fit it into just about any schedule if you just get creative. And cut those nursing mothers a break, tell your kids not to stare, and don't let the rude comments others might make, like "can you believe she's doing that out in public?!" don't let those go. Ask them "Would you rather she goes and sits on a filthy public toilet with her little baby so you don't have to be embarassed to see a mother feeding a child?"
she has a ton of cash and time. ask the woman that is working fulltime and her everyday worries. Gisele, you want to do some good donate half your money and make sure Tom isn't screwing around on you.
u dnt think models are stupid hope? listen to naomi cambell testifing at the "blood diamonds" trial talkn about how she's never heard of libiria or "blood diamonds"
Going overboard again, please throw her overboard!!! I am an advocate for breastfeeeding and to have it legalized to be able to do so anywhere, BUT, there is a limit on everything and you can't force someone to do something with their body they clearly DO NOT want to, or clearly CANNOT do................. this goes to ...show how stupid things come out of celeberties mouths and they need to think before they speak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
some of don't have a choice – some of us moms CANNOT breastfeed. As in there was nothing to feed my girls. I tried herbal remedies, I saw a lacation coach from day 1 and guess what I only gained 30 pounds and excerised up to my due date. And you know what I have healthy, smart kids because I am a great mom and I take care of my kids. People alwasy forget that some women just don't product milk!
Hope, your post is as offensive as it is unintelligible. Not every mother can breast feed their children, and quite frankly, not every mother SHOULD. I say it has become an extraordinarily shameful practice to rate bottle feeding mothers as inferior to those that can and will breastfeed. It is because of this practice that many YOUNG first time mothers feel even more overwhelmed, discouraged, and just never good enough. It is an unneeded pressure added onto their shoulders by those that mean well by what they say, but have no real clue as to it's true impact. As for the medical end of how bottle vs breast milk affects children, it really and truly is still 50-50. My son was a preemie, predisposed to having all sorts of medical issues just from THAT fact. He is the HEALTHIEST of my entire family. I consider myself to be blessed that he sees a doctor once a year because the schools demand it. My two younger children are healthy as well. Also, it is a misnomer to say that all formulas are nothing but cow's milk, because they are NOT. Next time, try a little TACT, ALL of you whom deem bottle feeding moms as being lower than you. I myself was on major anti-convulsant medications that would have caused one of two outcomes, permanent skin damage due to Steven's Johnson Syndrome ( skin sloughs off until death ) or aplastic anemia ( body becomes unable to reproduce red/white blood cells until the body suffocates then dies ). So no, some mothers SHOULD NOT breastfeed. I'm GLAD I didn't.