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Gisele Bundchen's suggested breastfeeding 'law' sparks outrage
Supermodel clarifies comments after being labeled insensitive and pompous.
Wed, Aug 04 2010 at 1:18 PM
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Photo: ZUMA Press
Following comments she made to Harper's Bazaar, suggesting that breastfeeding become a mandatory, "worldwide law," Gisele Bundchen finds herself on the defensive.
After a tsunami of negative feedback flooded the Web, the supermodel — who recently had her first child with NFL star Tom Brady — took to her blog to clarify her position.
"My intention in making a comment about the importance of breastfeeding has nothing to do with the law," Bundchen writes. "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."
She adds: "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."
In the Harper's Bazaar interview, Bundchen said, "Some people here (in the U.S.) think they don't have to breastfeed, and I think 'Are you going to give chemical food to your child when they are so little?' I think there should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months."
In response, the Web filled with comments slamming Bundchen on the suggestion. "Not every woman can breastfeed," wrote one. "While it may be great, there are some who don't produce milk. I was not one of them. Without formula my baby would've died of starvation."
Bundchen explained further on her site writing, "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."
I think it was a wise move for Bundchen to explain herself a bit better — and she's right that interviews don't allow much room for exposition. However, comments about parenting — especially by celebrities — are almost always incendiary, especially when it comes to overarching suggestions like this one. It's one of the more sensitive topics in society and best left alone when sitting in the interview chair ... no matter how harmless the opinion might appear.
But hey — maybe I'm wrong here. Let me know down below what you think about her comments in both Harper's Bazaar and on her blog!
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What about us women who physically CAN NOT breastfeed? I had a double mastectomy after finding out I had breast cancer at age 29. I am unable to breast feed? So please, tell me. What are my options? I find her comments to be incredibly insensitive as well as highly uneducated and just plain hurtful.
i am sure it was not aimed at people in your situation. i think it is speaking to people who have the ability to breastfeed and choose not to. i in no way took her comment to imply anything other than 'people should breastfeed if they can'. i do no see why you would become hurt by her opinion. it is not direceted to you personally..the thought intrigues me
It's not, actually. Why on earth do we treat the opinions of celebs as more valuable that others?
She may have valid ideas on the modelling fashion or beauty business, but just because she's a new mother does not mean she's suddenly an expert on childcare or child nutrition.
I find this awesome! While the law notion is definitely overarching, from a nutritional point of view as well as general health perspective wise I fully agree. Can fertility, pregnancy, childbearing and yes, breastfeeding go a bit more back to being natural, please?