Role models
I planned on writing a outraged piece about J Lo and her decision not to breastfeed because it would interfere with her ability to train for a marathon. The article I read had her quoted as saying things to the effect of, ‘I wasn’t breastfed and I turned out fine,’ as though that’s a good excuse for not bothering to even try to breastfeed when there’s no question that it’s the best possible for nutrition for an infant, and things like, ‘I want my children to be proud of me,’ like being an international sensation isn’t enough of a source of pride.
But since I’ve sat on it for a few days I’m not so outraged anymore. Instead I’m just sad that instead of spending time with her newborn twins she’s spending time with a personal trainer. Rather than make her kids proud by being a good mother she wants to make them proud by being in good shape.
I can’t really compare her life to mine. She is, after all, famous and her looks are worth far more than mine. But I still know what it’s like to want your body back. I was in great shape before I got pregnant with Sam and I’m sure I’ll never be in that kind of shape again. But before Sam was born I had ten or more hours a week to spend at the gym, lifting weights and practicing yoga. Perhaps when he’s older and the baby is older I’ll find that time again, but right now it’s not a priority. I still make time to exercise, and when the new baby is born in May I’ll make time to exercise again as soon as I get the okay, but for those first few months when the baby is nursing non-stop I’ll probably keep my gym membership on hold so I’m available for my baby. Those first months go by so quickly and with a spring baby I imagine I’ll get my exercise by walking to the playground every day or chasing Sam around the beach while wearing the baby in a sling or wrap.
It’s hard to struggle with body image when pregnancy so drastically changes the way you look and feel. I’m sure it’s worse when you’re paid to look fabulous. But so many other celebrities have been so public about breastfeeding that it just makes me sad that J Lo, who is such a role model, such an influence on women, seems to be telling the world that her body comes before her children.
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April 1st, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Her quote in People was what frustrated me:
“My mom didn’t breast-feed and I think that was the thing for me. You read and figure out what’s the best thing for them.”
I irritated it me that she made out it to be that she did research and “figured out” the best was formula. Sure, her body is worth a lot to her career, but she is also huge role model for young Hispanic girls. Such an uneducated quote from her is scary.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I echo everything you said. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to know that her babies aren’t getting their mother right now, breastfeeding or not.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Not to mention breastfeeding a baby helps with dropping the baby weight. You take in extra calories but you lose them. With breastfeedind proper diet and excise you can lose the baby weight- not even an excuse JLO
April 8th, 2008 at 6:43 am
[...] fine to hand their newborns over to someone else while they jump back into their careers or begin training for marathons. I know that many say all mothers are attached, but sometimes I wonder about some mothers. How [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 8:47 am
[...] Amie wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptI was in great shape before I got pregnant with Sam and I’m sure I’ll never be in that kind of shape again. But before Sam was born I had ten or more hours a week to spend at the gym, lifting weights and practicing yoga. … [...]