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Brazilian supermodel and new mom Gisele Bündchen advocates breastfeeding -- but she chose an unfortunate way to express it in a recent interview. Perhaps because English isn't her first language, Bündchen's "breast is best" sentiment was quoted in print as "there should be a worldwide law... that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months." Clearly, Bündchen's not a legislator, but it's still a disturbing idea. In the supermodel's ideal world, would new moms who don't get maternity leave, to spend time at home breastfeeding, be sent to prison? How about moms of premature babies who haven't developed a sucking reflex? Or moms of adopted infants?
Bündchen, 30, obviously didn't spend a lot of time thinking through her radical idea for sweeping social change! iVillage readers were pretty unanimous in their reaction. A sampling of comments:
"Get REAL! Breastfeeding is great, but some of us don't make enough milk" - Alexatlantamom
"I'm totally in favor of breastfeeding, but you can't control a woman's body for her, and make her do something she doesn't want to do. Since when did Ms. Bündchen become a mothering expert?" - S. Gutschow
"So easy to give advice (and guilt) when you're super assisted with nanny, stylist, coach, cook, etc." - Miss Zen
"I think there should be a law against letting supermodels talk." - Jrose48
On her blog Tuesday Gisele swiftly issued, well, not so much an apology as a damage-control statement responding to the controversy:
My intention in making a comment about the importance of breastfeeding has nothing to do with the law. It comes from my passion and beliefs about children. Becoming a new mom has brought a lot of questions, I feel like I am in a constant search for answers on what might be the best for my child. It’s unfortunate that in an interview sometimes things can seem so black and white. I am sure if I would just be sitting talking about my experiences with other mothers, we would just be sharing opinions. I understand that everyone has their own experience and opinions and I am not here to judge. I believe that bringing a life into this world is the single most important thing a person can undertake and it can also be the most challenging. I think as mothers we are all just trying our best.
In other words: stop making such a big deal about an offhand comment. But what Bündchen didn't realize is that, with an issue as loaded as breastfeeding, there are no offhand comments. Next time you suggest a parenting law to a journalist, Gisele, try "mandatory paid maternity leave" -- something every new mom can get behind!
Do you think Gisele Bündchen needs to apologize? Chime in below!
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