The August cover of Babytalk magazine (which can be viewed at http://www.parenting.com/parenting/babytalk/channel) shows a close-up of a baby nursing at a breast. There’s no nipple showing and the breast is airbrushed and only partially represented. But the depiction is clear enough, particularly with the headline “Why don’t women nurse longer?”

Let me start by saying that I strongly support breastfeeding. Numerous studies prove the health benefits, attachment advantages, and (dare I say it) cost efficiency of feeding a child breastmilk. So, for those women who are physically capable of breastfeeding, I think it should be tried, at the very least. For the men in these women’s lives, it must be supported, even though it postpones a man’s claim to his wife’s mammary glands for most of the time she breastfeeds (tough it out guys).

My three children were breastfed for more than a year per each kid. My wife nursed our children at home, in bathrooms, at her office, and in the car. She rarely fed our children in public, but when she did so, it was under heavy cover because she felt judged by others — especially when they made comments like “how disgusting” and “I don’t need to see that.”

With this Babytalk cover, the editors and publishers of the magazine take the debate high-profile. This is not the first time a publication has done this, but the impact of this doctor’s office mainstay is significant as is the image on the front. I think it looks beautiful because it depicts a natural, nurturing moment, but others feel it has the effect of ’shoving the issue in people’s faces.’

I believe our American culture needs to get past its issues with breastfeeding, especially in the first two years or so of a child’s life when the health benefits are so clear. We shouldn’t shame women who want to breastfeed as much as we shouldn’t pressure those who do not, for whatever their reason. But I don’t see what’s wrong with promoting breastfeeding’s benefits with pretty pictures or powerful words.

What do you all think?