Christina Aguilera hopes to breastfeed for two years
First a disclaimer: This news comes from an unnamed "source" at the tabloid "Star" magazine. That's usually code for "we just made that up." The tab reported that Xtina plans to breastfeed her now 5-month-old son Max for two years because (and here's the part where they are doing some creative writing, methinks) it's a way to keep "hanging on to her ample post-pregnancy bosom."
As anybody stuck with 4 a.m. feedings knows, the boobies alone are not worth the trouble. What should be noted is the World Health Organization recommends 2 years of breastfeeding and pediatricians want to see at least a year of it. (One of our Mommas wrote about her plans to do it that long and even she was given some grief for her choice). Anything after that is gravy for Junior because breastmilk is an underappreciated source of nutrition and immune boosters, an excellent supplement to a toddler diet.
But the mainstream opinion doesn't seem to have gotten the memo on the benefits of extended breastfeeding. The reactions ranged from File this under Ewwwww!! from the tabloid-loving Popcrunch. And Hollywoodheartbreaker recoiled at photos of the new mom breastfeeding with, "This is definitely marked on my list of “Grossest Things I’ve Seen Today.”
Where does this hostile attitude toward breastfeeding come from? In the land of Hooters, where you can play a game to match up the scantily clad gals to reveal another picture, have we only come to see breasts as playthings?
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Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.
Amy Hollyfield is a workaholic mother of two young
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Sherry Robinson was born in the Sunshine State but she feels more comfortable inside a mall than outside at the beach -- thank goodness her husband is the outdoorsy type. He takes their two sons on night hikes, beach runs and bug hunts while Sherry does her best to take care of the homestead -- and find out what is new on the store shelves. A graduate of the University of South Florida in 19noneofyourbusiness, Sherry has been at the Times for nearly 20 years. And with nearly 10 years of parenting experience, Sherry is eager to offer up some great dish on raising kids and keeping your sanity.
Guest blogger Tracey Henry, a.k.a. Suburban Diva, is a frantic, slightly frazzled mother of four. She is a freelance humor writer and author which is the only thing that parenting four children ages 12-1 trains you for, except perhaps court jester and professional bull rider. She and her husband have lived all over the country, but settled in Florida eight years ago because the beachcombing is so much better here than on the banks of the Mississippi. Their family time includes a lot of sport -- both watching and playing -- and fun in the sun and surf. Catch her in Whoa, Momma! and on her site, 
Sherri Day and her husband welcomed their daughter into the world in early 2008. So far, she describes parenthood as exciting, exhausting and exhilarating. A self-described Southern belle with small-town values and big-city idealism, Sherri was born in rural Georgia. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Clark Atlanta University and her master's of journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She is the Brandon bureau chief for the Times. Sherri moved to Tampa from Brooklyn four years ago.
OhMyGod look at those things!
Posted by: iwanttohelpher | August 20, 2008 at 03:54 PM
It makes me want to slap folks upside the head when they call BFing gross. I nursed my son for 16 months and plan to do the same with the next.
Posted by: Maria | August 20, 2008 at 12:42 PM
I think fantastic (if its true) it is the most normal thing for a mother to do. We in the West have got it sooooo wrong now. It should be the babies right as research backs up not the just the mothers choice. We are still primitive mammals when it comes to birth and breastfeeding. Why do others forget this? Go Xristina and Unicef! Formula (made from cows milk) is for baby calves, it is not made for baby humans. Dana Hunter United Kingdom.xx
Posted by: Dana Hunter | August 20, 2008 at 12:26 PM
It's great when celebrities bring light to this much needed yet very misunderstood natural and vital part of life.
So many people just still don't have a clue.
Posted by: Camillmai | August 20, 2008 at 07:54 AM
I would certainly hate to see her waste away, I could always assist for another year or two.
Posted by: Max | August 19, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Someone should tell Christina that while you can lactate indefinitely, that doesn't mean your breasts will stay full in size the entire time. Once baby is on solids and doesn't need as much milk, the breasts figure it out and produce only milk "on demand". But good for her for committing to two years -- I hope she makes it for herself and baby!
Posted by: Kristi | August 19, 2008 at 02:25 PM