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ABC's SuperNanny's Negative Take on Breast Feeding

March 12, 2007

Supernanny needs a "time out" of her own. In Monday's season finale she sets out to fix the Walker family. One of the alleged chief problems, a 14 month old who, god forbid, is still breast feeding.

The Supernanny says to the mom: "So it really is in your court because I can help you either way. But the decision has to be yours."

As it turns out, mom wants to wean. She says, "I want to do it. I want to go ahead and try it...I'm ready to wean Alyssa (spelled?). I've been wanting to do it for months. I just don't know how to do. I don't know how to do it on my own."

Once the mom says that, the Supernanny's true feelings come through: "I'm glad that you've come to that decision because it show me that you're ready for personal growth which is good and there will be much benefit for you and Alyssa."

I could deconstruct this episode for the rest of the night-- the negative portrayals of extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping and sling-wearing. But bottom line, I think it's a shame that the show's producers depict breastfeeding as something to be avoided. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least one year, and as long after that as the mom wants. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for two years. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set a goal that by 2010, 25% of all moms still breastfeed when their baby is one year old. (Healthy People 2010). As for the babies themselves, some anthropologists think children would self-wean somewhere around 3 and 4 years old.

Beyond this, the show completely ignores the health benefits that come from breastfeeding. Instead, Supernanny turns breastfeeding into something that is simply about the mother-child bond. She asks the mom, "Is the reason you're still breastfeeding her an emotional one?" The mom answers, "It's just the feeling of, you know, we love each other, you know."

Yes, weaning is emotional. I was weepy when I weaned our first son at 11 months and I get teary just thinking about weaning our second son. But come on, Supernanny, you could have at least tipped your hat to the mom for keeping at it for 14 months. It's no small feat.

Of course whether or not to breastfeed is a matter of personal choice. Breastfeeding works for some women, and not for others. But it's too bad that Supernanny and ABC didn't celebrate this mom's choice, and instead presented it as an obstacle to family harmony.

Go to your "naughty mat," Supernanny. Good riddance until next season.

And moms if you want some real advice on weaning, try Kellymom. There's good information about the benefits of extended breastfeeding too.