Black, Beautiful, Breastfeeding: Best for Babes Announces 2011 Covergirl, Juanita Ingram

To close out Breastfeeding Awareness Month 2010 we are pleased to announce our 2011 Covergirl, Juanita Ingram!   Juanita, who is an attorney and the 2009 Mrs. Beauties pageant winner, got in touch with us last year when she read about us in Fit Pregnancy.  We promptly featured her inspiring story of starting a workplace lactation program at her law firm and named her a Best for Babes Champion for Moms.    We urge you to read her story and get to know this incredible woman!

Best for Babes 2011 Cover Girl Juanita Ingram, JD; by Dario Impini, www.darioinfini.com

In the tradition of great fashion and lifestyle magazines like InStyle, we’re bringing you all the style secrets from the photo shoot with top photographer Dario Impini.  Dario specializes in the highest quality boudoir photography for women of all ages and sizes.  His studio is dedicated to the delicate, timeless beauty of the female form and is working with the Pink Ribbon Connection Breast Cancer organization to create a fund raising calendar-thank you Dario for bringing your artistry and creative talents to capturing the incredible gorgeousness, feminity and power of breastfeeding!    Our tip to all you breastfeeding mamas out there:  Run, don’t walk, to a great photographer in your area and get some fabulous keepsake photos to celebrate this amazing time in your and your baby’s relationship!  And join our cause so that we can some day get a Best for Babes Champion breastfeeding on the cover of Glamour, Vanity Fair or Newsweek, with a story about the urgency to break down the “Booby Traps” so that ALL moms can make an informed feeding decision and achieve their personal breastfeeding goals.

We are extremely grateful to Juanita for generously donating her time and enthusiasm to advance our mission! She is a fabulous role-model for women everywhere.

At the Cover Shoot

Who: Juanita Ingram
Where: Carmel, Indiana
What she wore: Inspired by a Harper’s Bazaar cover by Richard Avedon,  we sent Juanita a swath of stunning raw silk fabric in our signature raspberry color.  No cover-up needed for breastfeeding!
Makeup: Makeup Artist Terri Hill used a combination of MAC, Bobbi Brown and Smashbox.   Lashes are Xtreme lash extensions by Beauty N Eyes in Carmel, Indiana.
Hair: Charla at Details Express Salon in Indianapolis, Indiana.

How did the shoot go?

The shoot went really well.  There are some challenges to shooting with an infant, but breastfeeding is such a natural act that it was just a matter of timing everything perfectly to align with Baby Kynon’s desire to nurse.  I would advise others to remember that you only have a 15 to 20 minute window to capture the beauty of this act.  So keep that in mind when you are working with your photographer and making lighting or body position adjustments – you don’t want to nurse during those moments and you want to keep them to a minimum.  It is definitely a rewarding experience; you just have to work in conjunction with your baby’s nursing schedule.

How did the baby handle it?

Baby Kynon was a pro – it was just another nursing session for him.  The atmosphere was very quiet and relaxing.  My photographer even took the extra step of adjusting the temperature in the room to be warmer so that Baby Kynon was comfortable.  He actually feel asleep afterward and was very relaxed during the entire shoot.

What are your busy mom style & breastfeeding must-haves?

Well, as a full-time practicing attorney and mother of two, I tend to gravitate toward comfortable but chic apparel.  I love anything that adds a hint of glamour and sophistication, but remains simple in application because I do not have a great deal of time.  I love nursing tops and nursing bras by ASOS (www.asos.com), a UK company with a wonderful assortment of contemporary, chic, and attractive nursing and maternity attire.

One of my must have items in terms of make-up is Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit which has a concealer on top and a sheer brightening loose power on the bottom.  I just feel that the eyes are the window to the soul and the eye area can really make your face look alive and refreshed.

I also love Xtreme lash extensions because they are not damaging to your own lashes, you look effortlessly polished and you never have to worry about applying mascara in the morning.  Add some lip gloss (my favorite color is Purr by MAC) and I have a 5 minute make-up routine so I can quickly get out of the door in the morning!

In addition, I love TIGI S Factor Serious Conditioner with Sunflower Seed Oil.  I don’t know if you can tell from the picture, but I have a LOT of hair.  I don’t use chemical straightening methods so I flat iron my hair quite often which can be drying.  I’ve found that TIGI S Factor Serious Conditioner is a quick way to get a deep conditioning treatment in a fraction of the time and it really helps my hair to stay moisturized and healthy.

Our inspiration for the cover shoot was this photo for Harper's Bazaar by Richard Avedon from 1952. Essence Magazine was not founded until 1968. The first time a black model appeared in a magazine was in 1961; Willette Murphy in Mademoiselle.

Lastly, as far as breast-feeding must-haves – I am attached at the hip to my Medela pump-in-style breastpump! I use it everyday while working and I absolutely love it!  (Note:  Medela is not endorsed by Best for Babes because they do not comply with the WHO Code.  Best for Babes recommends the top-quality Ameda and Hygeia breastpumps.) I also love More Milk Plus and Mother’s Milk Tea; they are a must have if you work in a high functioning high stress environment because stress can effect your supply.  (Note: The best evidence actually shows that stress will interfere with “let down,” and may lead to early weaning, but it is not responsible for lowering milk supply. )

How was it being a national pageant queen while being pregnant and then nursing?

I am so fortunate to have held a national title in the Mrs. Division and I hope that I represented all married pregnant women with integrity and class.  I just feel that maternity and motherhood are gifts that are meant to be cherished.  It was a real honor to experience the journey of motherhood for the second time around while holding a national title.  I hope it inspires other women to know that you can successfully manage career, pregnancy, motherhood and marriage if you prioritize!  I enjoyed crowning my successor this past July.  I juggled making appearances, working and nursing quite well but I am taking some time off now to just enjoy motherhood and life.  I am going to continue to compete in order to have a platform to uplift and encourage others on a larger scale.  I am actually competing for my state’s title in the Mrs. America system in the spring!  Prayerfully, I will continue to have opportunities to support wonderful organizations such as Best for Babes and to have the opportunity to encourage women everywhere to live out their dreams!

Breastfeeding rates are lowest among African-American women, and we have found it extremely difficult to find images of black moms breastfeeding—a fact we are sure contributes to a lack of cultural acceptance of nursing.   What advice would you give to expecting black moms who are the first in their families or among their friends to try breastfeeding?

This is such an important issue within the African-American community.  I would explain to her the enormous benefits breastfeeding provides to our children.  As African-American people, we have higher percentages of obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and  high blood pressure - all of which are illnesses that breastfeeding protects against for children and moms.  I would also highlight the fact that breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer - a disease that is the most common form of cancer for black women, and African American women are more likely than white women to be diagnosed at later stages of the disease and are more likely to die from it. Scientists are still exploring the reasons behind these trends but scientists have found a direct link between breastfeeding and a 59% decrease of breast cancer risk for women with a family history of the disease.

I would also encourage her to gather her own information to build her awareness and ignore the pressure she undoubtedly will receive from family and friends to use formula.  I can not tell you the number of times that I have received unsolicited comments and pressure from family, co-workers, and friends to stop nursing prior to 12 months and use formula.  I don’t know where the disconnect originated from but it is undoubtedly an understood cultural reality that breastfeeding is an optional afterthought.  I would tell her to focus on being the one in her family to break the cycle of formula usage and to be prepared to stand firm for the benefit of herself and her child-it is natural and the absolute best option for the child.

I do believe that it is important to see breastfeeding images that relatable for all women in order for it to become a norm.  That is why I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to be a part of BFB and to put forth an image that prayerfully will encourage women to decide to breastfeed.

Now tell us . . . what do you think of our gorgeous new covergirl?  Any questions for her, we’ll post her answers!!

Best for Babes Recommended Reading & Resources

Blacktating Blog — Check out this fantastic blog by Best for Babes Contributor Elita Kalma.

Black Mother’s Breastfeeding Association — We’re honored to be speaking at the BMBA Seminar on October 25th about the New Look of Breastfeeding!

NPR:  Breastfeeding Often Avoided by Black Moms — Guest host Jennifer Ludden discusses reasons behind the low black breastfeeding statistics with Kathi Barber, author of ‘The Black Woman’s Guide to Breastfeeding:  The Definitive Guide to Nursing for African-American Mothers, Jamila Bey, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist, and Dawn Porter, a television executive.

Momlogic.com — Is Slavery Why Black Women Aren’t Breastfeeding? Kimberly Sears Allers discusses the roots of low black breastfeeding rates, and the devastating impact of the aggressive marketing of infant formula on the African-American community.

The Black Woman’s Guide to Breastfeeding by Kathi Barber is available for purchase on Amazon.com

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36 Responses to Black, Beautiful, Breastfeeding: Best for Babes Announces 2011 Covergirl, Juanita Ingram

  1. Kara Dudley says:

    This photo is breathtaking! I think a lot of why people don’t breastfeed their children, in general, has to do with the fact that they just don’t see it being done by other women. This is especially true in the African American community. Thanks Best For Babes, Juanita, and especially baby Kynon for this great photo!

  2. Jake Aryeh Marcus says:

    I don’t get why she needs to be naked but for the drape. I don’t think making breastfeeding “sexy” leads to positive change for breastfeeding women. This sends the message that women have to be sexual objects to be accepted. Sadly, I find this a step back.

    • Bettina says:

      Thanks for sharing your viewpoint, Jake . . . personally, I don’t view the photo as sexy at all. Perhaps I’m too influenced by a recent trip to the Roman and Greek gallery at the Metropolitan Museum, but like Michelangelo, I think the human body is beautiful, and think women’s bodies are beautiful in all shapes, sizes, colors and forms. I think Juanita exudes femininity, confidence, power, glamour and nurturing motherhood. I also think that it is extremely limiting and un-feminist to box breastfeeding women into only one image stereotype; why should breastfeeding and a woman’s sexuality be mutually exclusive? Women are complex and multi-faceted, and breastfeeding is complex and multi-faceted! Her Bad Mother wrote about it brilliantly in her post “I’ve Looked At Boobs From Both Sides Now“. I’m tempted to quote the entire 8th paragraph from her post here, but the bottom line for me is that I agree with her that when “we reduce discourse about public breastfeeding to . . . false, culturally-imposed dichotomies” it’s a step back for moms, babies, and society.

      • What Bettina said (and yeah, I’ve written about this) - why does a beautiful image of a woman breastfeeding need to be read as ‘sexy’? And why should beauty be separated from breastfeeding, anyway? Forcing women to de-sex in order for society to be comfortable with them nursing our babies is extreme and unfair - we need to find a way to balance beauty and motherhood (and, yes, sexiness) and get out from under the dichotomies of Sexy Lady v. Virtuous Mother that really do oppress us.

      • Jake Aryeh Marcus says:

        I don’t consider this an issue of falsely dichotomizing breastfeeding and female sexuality. This post, however, has at least as much content about make-up tips as breastfeeding. It isn’t about the connection between real female sexuality and the dual function our breasts easily serve. It shows breastfeeding through fashion magazine standards of beauty - something unattainable for most women and that mostly makes us feel inferior. It isn’t who we really are and doesn’t represent real women,

      • Jake Aryeh Marcus says:

        And, fwiw, she is a woman, not a girl.

    • I understand what Jake is saying and I understand what Bettina is saying.

      There are a lot of women out there for whom beauty, looks and glamour are an important part of their lives (the reasons for which could fill up half a library). If those women see breastfeeding as “icky” or something that only unsophisticated women do, then they aren’t going to do it. For that market segment, I think this type of ad will help.

      On the other hand, I would love to see Best for Babes work on something that shows regular women of all shapes, sizes, races, ages (age of mom and of child), etc. nursing and doing so in a wide variety of “regular” clothes and “regular” situations.

      • Bettina says:

        Thanks Annie for understanding who we are trying to reach. Whether we like it or not, appearance, style, fashion, celebrities, beauty & glamour are a huge part of the American culture. Look no further than the fact that People magazine had a record 51 MILLION page views the day after the 2007 Oscars! Juanita’s breastfeeding picture is precisely targeted to a culture that sees breastfeeding as “icky” or too crunchy and doesn’t relate to traditional breastfeeding advocacy. As for greater diversity in the images we show, we definitely will be aiming to broaden our appeal, at the same time, many organizations like La Leche League and 4women.gov already do a great job of depicting nursing variety, and since we aim to complement existing efforts, will probably continue to focus on the consumer- and image-oriented mainstream that doesn’t identify with or isn’t inspired by existing breastfeeding imagery.

  3. I think it’s a lovely picture — certainly a beautiful mother and child! — but I’ve never been a big fan of the softened stylized breastfeeding images, if that makes sense. That’s just a personal thing, though; I always thought it felt old-fashioned. Not that the picture is old fashioned… I think I’ve put my foot in my mouth enough here.

    It’s a beautiful image of a woman doing what is natural and best for her baby; it’s a fantastic tribute to breastfeeding! :D

  4. Carla Moquin says:

    I think it’s a really fine line… I completely agree that the human body is gorgeous and shouldn’t be seen as something shameful in the slightest. I completely agree that women (and men) can be viewed as professional and nurturing and creative and intelligent and a sexual being, all at the same time, because that’s what humans are. Her Bad Mother-I read your blog post when you originally posted it, and I agree with your thoughts.

    But the problem here is that this particular picture (or type of picture), while unquestionably beautiful, is *so* reminiscent of a Victoria’s Secret catalog that I think it actually undermines our shared goal of normalizing breastfeeding. I actually don’t mind Victoria’s Secret images (aside from the obvious problem that they conform to a very narrow-minded view of beauty)-I appreciate the beauty of the human body-men and women.

    But one of the biggest problems our society has regarding nursing is that people associate breasts with sex-and so when they see a baby nursing, they can’t reconcile the images (which then turns to judgment of the nursing mom). The primary way to change that is to show breastfeeding often and in many everyday contexts-businesswomen nursing, moms in groups nursing, moms nursing with their partner next to them, etc. But this image-the fact that one’s eyes are drawn not to the baby but to the mother’s legs because there is so little clothing-actually *directly* reinforces the (false) perception that breastfeeding and sex (i.e., arousal) are connected. As beautiful as *any* breastfeeding picture is, this picture almost seems like the baby is an afterthought-especially when the focus of the ad is then about makeup and hair conditioner brands. It reduces women to being all about appearances, the exact opposite thing we should be trying to accomplish. I would be *very* interested to see how other men respond to this picture, particularly (especially given my own husband’s reaction).

    Bettina, I appreciate BfB’s efforts, and I don’t mean this to be an attack-I just want to share my (and my husband’s-he’s pretty riled up about this issue and will be posting later today) views for consideration…

    Carla

  5. Juanita says:

    Thank you BFB for allowing me to be apart of such an important movement. I pray thathat this image normalizes breastfeeding for all women. Thank you for being bold and strong enough to pursue this issue and provide a balanced and positive viewpoint. I am PROUD to be a part of your efforts. The female form and function is undoubtedly divine in design. I am thankful that I am able to BF my children and that I have been blessed with the ability to give them the best start in life.

    On a lighter note, the piece is intended to be fun, informative and inspirational. So often in life we miss the joy of the moments in our lives by being way too serious. I am just an ordinary woman with some blessed and extra-ordinary experiences. I am glad that so many women will see this image and be encouraged to BF - that is the entire point. And if they pick up some product tips that help them along the way - great!

    Again, I am so proud of this movement and of BFB for being creative, bold and intelligent enough to take on this mission in such a progressiive manner!

    • Juanita says:

      … and forgive my typos, I am typing on my DROID, while pumping in the corporate lactation room using my handsfree nursing device! :-)

    • Laura Keegan says:

      Juanita,
      Congratulations on creating a model workplace lactation program and a template for change for moms like you who find that they don’t already have such a program in place. AND…
      Thank you (and baby Kynon!) for working with Bettina and Danielle of Best for Babes to share this beautiful mothering image with the world!

      • Juanita says:

        Thank you Laura! I recommended your book to a friend of mine that is out on maternity leave and BF for the first time. Thank you for all that you do!

        Juanita

  6. Jennifer Smith says:

    It’s a beautiful cover with a BEAUTIFUL mother doing something NATURAL! AWESOME!

  7. Kelleygirl says:

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this!!!!! I think it is not only beautiful but extremely tasteful. I love the idea of a new mom being glamourous AND breastfeeding. Alas, my only thought (and as you can tell this thought is from a long time breastfeeding mom) was ” oh man, I hope she had nursing pads underneath that raw silk. Hahaha.

    • Juanita says:

      LOL Kellygirl - I did have to use nursing pads!!! And thank you for your support. My doula was invaluable to me in my delivery this second time around. I only wish I had engaged a doula the first time! Doulas rock!

  8. I love this image for many reasons, most of which are mentioned above. I believe that the human body, in all shapes, sizes and colours, is beautiful. One of the things that first attracted me to BfB was their marketing style, which is similar to mine.

    I also think that it would be powerful to show “real moms” breastfeeding in “everyday” apparel, etc. as a previous commenter mentioned. It reminds me of the videos that have been circulating recently from TheBump.com showing celebs AND everyday moms talking about boobs and breastfeeding. I think BfB could do something like this quite well!

  9. Amy says:

    I’m with Kelleygirl. Though I can see the perspective that views this as a “step back” because it is more glamourous than natural…I think it was a great photo shoot and interview for women who gravitate toward glamour and sex appeal as an important part of their lives and self-esteem. We can’t judge women because they want to feel pretty…and that’s what the raw red silk says to me - it says “breastfeeding is beautiful, and here’s some proof”.

    I also love that the newest cover-girl is a busy, full time working mom. It shows that you really CAN breastfeed exclusively and continue to work. You just have to have the right attitude about it, and support. I like.

  10. Shirley Ball says:

    First I would like to comment on the sheer beauty, class and elegance of the picture. As a woman I am proud to witness such a display of magnificence and sacrifice for a child being beautifully portrayed. Best for Babes you have chosen well.
    With this being said I am confused and really disheartened by many of the comments and conjectures made by “forward thinking” women who have responded negatively to this cover. The comments suggesting that this cover photo is anything other than tasteful and positive towards the mission of Best for Babes is bewildering. Moreover, I think that it is this attitude that creates a one dimensional view of women, excluding some and suggesting that being a true woman means you can’t be beautiful, successful and mother. These attributes are not mutually exclusive.
    I am even more perplexed considering the previous cover which was more revealing did not receive this type of negative backlash. More specifically, the cover model was not personally attacked. Pejorative comments riddled with degradation such as “she is not a real woman” or that “her self-esteem is tied into sex appeal” were not even uttered. Now the moment of truth, why is the response to this cover model so negative? Why is her picture considered hyper sexual and the previous cover considered ground breaking? The unconscious and underlying implications are horrifying and reflective of deeper issues that continue plague the forward progress of American women. Both the previous cover and this recent cover are beautiful depictions of women sacrificing and putting their children first. It is imperative that we recognize that we are attempting to reach the masses and that does not consist of “ONE TYPE OF WOMAN”.
    These negative comments are reminiscent of darker time in women’s history at another forum held 1851….and to that my answer is AINT I A WOMAN.
    Until we embrace diversity in all respects we will not move forward with speed.
    To the nay sayers, examine your true reasons for not appreciating beauty and diversity.
    Be well,
    Shirley

    • LisM says:

      I COMPLETELY agree with you Shirley!!! Why we cannot be sexual, and beautiful, and successful all at once is beyond me.

      It is sad and anger-inducing to me that women look at something like this, some thing BEAUTIFUL - ARTISTIC - and tear it down!!!! What is WRONG with you?

      What is wrong with enjoying yourself, your body, your baby, your breasts…for ALL of the functions they serve?

  11. I understand Jake’s concerns, but I think we’re trying to reach a certain demographic of women who equate breastfeeding with hairy hippies that they will never identify with. No, there’s nothing wrong with hairy hippies, but some women will just NEVER relate to them, and that is okay. Some moms formula-feed because they don’t think women like them (women who like make-up, shaving their legs, and climbing the corporate ladder) do crunchy things like “that.” And lest we not forget the low breastfeeding rates of the African American community. This picture shatters all of that and then some.

    I love Juanita’s implied message that we don’t have to trade in our femininity for the breastpump. We can do it all. I’ve done it all (working/school/exclusive breastmilk) and I’m always thrilled when a woman like Juanita can show women that it’s possible, and it can be gorgeous.

    And for the record, I think she also looks very natural. It would be one thing if they’d covered here in garish makeup, but she looks fresh and happy.

    • LIsM says:

      OK I just have to say that I read “hairy hippies” to be “hairy nipples”, and I was spending most of the above post wondering what hairy nipples had to do with breast feeding…on the one hand, it would probably cause the baby to choke…on the other hand, perhaps if the model above HAD hairy nipples in the picture, maybe it would be as “unsexual” as it needs to be in order to please some of the ‘bad-mouthers’ here.

      Regardless, I got QUITE a chuckle thinking about hairy nipples LOL!!!!

  12. Nikki Lee says:

    The picture is lovely.

    I am curious how a 15 year old African American teen from the inner city will react to it.

    Perhaps, for the future, the Cover Girls could be photographed in several poses, both studio and real life. I’d like to see a mother nursing at a local restaurant, or on the bus. Or the lawyer pumping at work, while she’s at her computer. Or in the supermarket.

    Could the images be tested in focus groups before being chosen?

    warmly,
    Nikki Lee

    • Bettina says:

      Hi Nikki, we definitely hope to show breastfeeding in a variety of settings. However, most of the photographs you suggest are ubiquitous among breastfeeding organizations, and breastfeeding apparel, pump and accessories companies are already marketing (which is important) nursing moms in the settings you mentioned. What the Best for Babes photo is designed to do is to challenge the stereotypical assumption of what the breastfeeding mother looks like and is. The stereotype of what TheFeministBreeder called “the hairy hippie” is not working for the mainstream.

      Testing the image in a focus group may be a good idea but requires a lot of funding. While it would be easy for us to assemble a free focus group of lactivists and moms who have succeeded at exclusive or near-exclusive breastfeeding, those are not the women we are trying to reach. We would need to pay a marketing firm like Frank About Women a hefty fee to reach out to the general public—the vast majority that reads People, or Better Homes and Gardens, or Cosmopolitan. Marketing experts also know that focus groups are inherently problematic. Just by participating in a focus group the first impressions and reactions are not what they would be “in nature”. It’s sort of like the science experiments using placebos. As soon as people know they are taking a placebo, the effect is not the same. Proof of this is the government’s breastfeeding campaign which went through focus groups even in the second incarnation but did not predict the strong adverse reaction of the general public.

    • Shirley says:

      Hi Nikki,
      I am sure that a 15-year -old African American girl from the inner city will feel the same way that a 15-year-old Caucasian American girl would feel when she views the picture of the first cover model. I am confused about the parallel that you are trying to make here, feel free to expound. Not to mention 15-year-old African American girls are NOT the target population that BFB is trying to reach.

  13. Slee says:

    I think that the demographic (the posh types)this is trying to reach will be well reached by it, but I’m with Jake. I think she’s beautiful, the baby is beautiful, and I wish it wasn’t set up like the classic sex-selling silk draped playboy covers. Yes, fashion magazines too, but the different feelings it elicits for me, well, they’re kinda disturbing when mingled.
    Of course, that’s MY problem, not hers, not yours.

    • Bettina says:

      The photo IS intended to be provocative and challenging! As lovely as everyday breastfeeding photos are, they are boring to the media because they are already ubiquitous in pregnancy magazines, as the accompanying images to new scientific announcements, etc.

  14. Marcie says:

    This photo did not appear sexy to me at all. I saw this as only beautiful in every way. Yes, she is a beautiful sexy woman. So she shouldn’t be photographed breastfeeding because she is sexy? I saw nothing wrong with the drape that she had on because she had all of her private parts covered. I have seen photographs of women breastfeeding with both of their breasts bare and hanging out. That is a bit much, but not this. I support her and this photo. I am an African American woman who has breastfed 2 babies for over one year each. I plan on doing the same with my 3rd due in January. This is absolutely beautiful!!!

  15. BloomyMommy says:

    I get your mission, but I just don’t get these images. The photograph is beautiful to hang on Juanita’s wall, but not helpful in promoting breastfeeding. A huge part of why breastfeeding is seen as gross and inappropriate is because of the sexualization of women everywhere you look. Adding another (half) naked woman to the inside of a magazine doesn’t help women or breastfeeding in my opinion.

    • Juanita says:

      BloomyMommy, love the content of your blog but truthfully & seriously, I have to point out that the very first image on your site is a picture of a woman grabbing and squeezing her breasts with her shirt open revealing her mid-drif in an objectively seductive manner & you use this image as a compliment to your discussion on the right to breastfeed and control our own breasts. That image is an acceptable image but mine is hyper-sexual and non-beneficial to women & breastfeeding?! … okay - got it. Because that makes sense and isn’t hypocritical. I respect your right to have an opinion however. It, like manner others on here, is just really interesting to me.

      Again, I am so pleased with the marketing campaign, the awareness that it brings and progression it will cause regarding breastfeeding.

      I agree with Shirley above and strongly urge others to revisit her comment.

      • BloomyMommy says:

        @Juanita

        I am glad you are pleased with your role in the marketing campaign and that you like the content of my blog as well. Not that I really feel the need to defend my blog, but I will comment none the less. 1) That picture I chose for my blog post was definitely not my first choice and the first time I chose an image like that. I am very limited in the types of images I have access to and can actually post to my blog. It was hard to find a image related to that particular post. I also see the image as more angry than sexual. 2) My blog is a teeny insy weeny corner of the web, where I rant and rave about breastfeeding and sometimes a very small number decide to read it. I am in no way embarking on a national marketing campaign to promote breastfeeding. If I were, I would not be selecting images that sexualize or glamorize breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is the standard. Not the ideal. Trying to upsell and portray it in any other way is doing a disservice in my opinion.

        For the record, I was speaking to Best for Babes’ global use of “nude” sexualized and glamorized breastfeeding photos to further their mission. Your picture is the one that got the attention because it is new and showing a theme by BFB that I think is counterproductive. I find your photograph to be less sexual than the original “covergirl.” You have a joyful look on your face while breastfeeding your baby which I appreciate. I actually find the the original “covergirl” photo to be more offensive because to me she looks as if she has a “come hither” look on her face and if you take the baby out of the photograph, it could be just another photo of a naked woman in a men’s magazine. Which, for me, is a very strange message to send.

        I realize also the idea of sexualized and glamorized are subjective to each individual. So maybe some women will be inspired to breastfeed by these images, but I feel overall BFB are sending the wrong message in promoting breastfeeding to a large audience.

  16. Shirley says:

    I continue to be concerned about the negative comments and tone represented in many of the posts. I have read post questioning the ramifications of the photo on African American girls….really?!? The strong feelings that Mrs. Ingram’s picture seems to elicit might be reflective of personal and professional insecurities. Moreover, this should not be the forum for attacking others because of personal idiosyncrasies that bear no relevance to the mission.

    The most troubling aspect in this exchange is that there continues to be veiled hypocrisy such as fully naked breastfeeding photos are ok even beautiful for some women but Mrs. Ingram being covered with a silk wrap is profane; Mrs. Ingram’s child seems to be an afterthought. I could continue ad nauseam. However, it is clear that many of the underlying issues that are the culprits behind these vicious and obviously discriminatory comments will not be resolved here or maybe even in this life time. It is sad to think that this UGLY mindset continues to imbrue the character of our great nation.

    For all of the kind and thoughtful comments presented thank you. It is truly a breath of fresh air.

    Shirley

  17. MajKitab says:

    This photo is gorgeous. I don’t see sexy as much as I see RAW; It’s happy- intimate but inviting- soothing… Mama looks wrapped in a bedsheet, and that to me represents a special Family place. Love love this!

  18. Reading this website it is amazing what garbage folk will add to a site, Really what is the point? Give the blogger a break and stop adding so much spam.

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