CBS News/ August 4, 2010, 3:44 PM

Gisele Bundchen's Breastfeeding Comments Spark Controversy

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen presents an outfit from a 2010-2011 Spring-Summer collection at Sao Paulo Fashion Week, in Brazil, on June 13, 2010. (MAURICIO LIMA/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (CBS) Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen has re-ignited a long-standing war over breastfeeding.

In an interview with the UK edition of Harper's Bazaar, the new mom and wife of New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady, called for a worldwide law requiring mothers to breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life.

The magazine quotes her as saying, "Are you going to give chemical food to your child when they are so little?"

Her comments set off a firestorm of criticism from parents who held opposing beliefs and accused her of insensitivity.

She used her blog this week top respond to critics and clarify her comments.

"I understand that everyone has their own experience and opinions and I am not here to judge," she wrote. "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."

Where do you stand on this issue? Take our poll below and explain your choice in the comments area.

74 Comments Add a Comment

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Angelgirl632 says:: She stated it should be a law, that ALL WOMEN BREASTFEED. She did not say anything about special circumstances, as I recall. Even high class, hollywood women do drugs! I am stating facts, that people like you don't like to face. They like to read happy little articles in fancy $10 magazines. And drive around there gas guzzling SUV's, living in glass houses. In the real news it talks about celebs deaths due to drug OD'S... The rampant problem of meth spreading across America. America is more middle to lower income. And heading towards poverty level... She made a blanket statement. I know in my heart that YOU are an IDIOT for siding with a celeb...; reply

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kikizz says:: Gisele isn't talking about special circumstances wherin a child either eats formula or dies. She is talking about the overwhelming number of American women who don't even consider breastfeeding. I think we all know the benefits of breastfeeding over formula and since furthermore formula can contain dangerous synthetic chemicals, why risk it if you don't have to?; reply

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Angelgirl632 says:

So who is supposed to feed all the babies that are born to that are going to be adopted? What about the crack babies? Oh and the meth and heroion babies too? What about the babies that are left in trash? What about teenage pregnancy? Oh have you thought about a poor rape victim that has a baby? Not everybody lives in happy babyland. And gets all the luxuries in life and nannies. I am real sure you are the one getting up with that baby every time they cry, right? I live in the real world. You obviously don't. Are you gonna be the breastfeeding police? Because I know that is the most important thing happening in America at this moment. I have 3 children. I have breastfed. So I know what I am talking about it. I can't imagine how horrible you have made some other women feel who want it so bad and can't do it. Thank God there is food in our country for our babies. Of course you don't have to worry about money... Ignorance is not bliss dummy... Stupidity makes me so MAD! How about this you come and live in the real world for 6 months and then we will all come back and talk again...


kikizz replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Gisele isn't talking about special circumstances wherin a child either eats formula or dies. She is talking about the overwhelming number of American women who don't even consider breastfeeding. I think we all know the benefits of breastfeeding over formula and since furthermore formula can contain dangerous synthetic chemicals, why risk it if you don't have to?
You sound like a complete MANIAC!! Calm down becuase you know in your heart that she was NOT talking about poor children who are dying in the streets you IDIOT!

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brianhutchins says:: I think that Gisele is beautiful and she has often contributed to the Charity donation program.
<a href="http://www.MyGroupFundraiser.com">Charity Donation Program</a>; reply

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LCnyPHD says:

You women can not be serious with some of these comments, right? A birthright? Really? I am so sick of the high and mighty breast feeder lunatics who will "allow" some of us to get away with not breast feeding if we have some sort of reason valid to them. This comment is obviously not directed at those of you who breast feed as your personal choice. Good for you. We all have a choice and just as I don't care what diapers you buy, how safe your stroller is or how natural your food is, I don't care if you breast feed. We're supposed to be supporting one another's choices here ladies. Not acting like the Jehovah's Witnesses knocking on hospital delivery doors selling the method of breast feeding. How's this? I am a working Mom, my husband is equal partner in this family and can get up and feed our baby just like I can at any time. He and I made personal choices based on what we wanted and what we believed to be the overall mental and physical health of our children. And you all should too. if you're listening to a supermodel instead of your doctor for advice on this, you actually have much bigger problems. And I absolutely refuse to get into the ridiculous uneducated debate about the MINISCULE benefits of breast feeding so don't bother. I have friends who breast feed and some who don't. We support one another 100% and the idea that there should be ANYONE else making ANY decision about your own children other than you, your husband and your physician is a HUGE red flag. Support one another.


hmrnflibclc replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; I would like to take a moment and educate many of the posts here. I am an RN BSN and IBCLC ( a lactation consultant). Without a doubt Breastfeeding (BF) is by far the optimal feeding choice for babies. All US and world wide health organizations recognize that BF is superior in every way shape and form. You can go to your own states' breastfeeding coalition, CDC, NIH, US Department of Health, AAP, LLL,WHO, and WIC etc to find out more info. It is unfortunate that many women do not receive the education, care and support during pregnancy and after birth to help them learn the skills they need to be successful with BF. I encourage all women to educate themselves about the benefits of BF not only for their babies , but for themselves as well.

Specifically, I would like to comment on your post "my husband is an equal partner in this family and can get up and feed our"...there is more to being equal partners than feeding a baby with a bottle. I encourage dads to bathe, play with their children, help mom, cook meals, clean, go to work, balance the checkbook etc...At night fathers can "participate" by getting the baby, changing the diaper and bringing the baby to mom in bed so she can nurse lying down. This can be a win win for all-no one has to go to the kitchen, mix formula, heat bottles etc..
Lastly, most women are capable of BF if they desire to. There are a small percent of women that cannot due to anatomical or medical issues. There can definitely be challenges (flat or inverted nipples, oral motor or anatomy issues to name a few), but many can and do overcome problems with help from health care professionals & Lactation Consultants and there is plenty of free help available-think LLL and WIC etc.

I applaud the many millions of mothers who work and pump. Thanks to Obama's new healthcare bill that was passed this past March, BF mothers now have legislation that help support them at work. Employers who have at least 50 employees are now required to give BF moms reasonable break time to pump their breasts during the work day. I encourage moms and dads to be proactive,and educate themselves about feeding practices.


kikizz replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; You say: "
I don't care what diapers you buy, how safe your stroller is or how natural your food is, I don't care if you breast feed."
I think it's safe to say you don't care about much do you?
The stereotypical formula feeder!!!!! Way to make yourself sound like an ass. And the benefits ARE NOT MINISCULE. If you gave a crap, you might look it up and find out for yourself. And let me ask you something else. Is it better to eat Whole foods or processed foods? Hmmm..that's probably a tough one for you to answer isn't it? 9 times out of ten, nature knows best and doctors agree that breastfeeding is best. Look it up! But do it AFTER you take your prozac.

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kitty103 says:: Here's a way to support breastfeeding Gisele - companies who are directly tied to breastfeeding are supporting/celebrating breastfeeding this by offering various charity/donation program - perhaps supporting a cause/charity who support breastfeeding may be a start.

www.glamourmom.com - A $1 MILLION Pledge to helping Moms & Babies in Need During Breastfeeding Week.; reply

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aaraid says:: Ignorant to make such a blanket statement in such a public way. I was not able to breastfeed my first child. I had severe complications during and after delivery that required me to be on a medication that was unsafe for him to be exposed to. I was on it for some time and 8 weeks had passed before I was off of it and out of my system. If it were a "law" to breastfeed, I suppose I would have been hounded by social services as I lay fighting for my life in the hospital and forced to prove why I couldn't breastfeed. Idiot.; reply

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GraciaJ says:: I really don't know much about Gisele but I think I understand what she was trying to put out there. she's a proud first time mommy & people need to cut her a little slack. some people will pick others apart over any little old thing. get over it for God's sake. I can't say giving birth was a walk in the park, but it wasn't all that bad. maybe some of us just had an easier time than others, she being one, my Mother & myself as well.; reply

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VictoriaRB says:

First of all, I don?t have any children, but my sister could not breastfeed because her baby would not latch on. She tried a countless number of times. The nurses and the doctors assured her that it was o.k. It was a physically and emotionally difficult time for her. Show me your nursing or medical degree Giselle and until then stick to what you are an expert on...like modeling. I've always thought Giselle was breathtakingly beautiful, and I still do..but only on the outside. Fire your hired help and take a 9-5 job and we?ll talk about what you think should be a law. That?s the problem with celebrities and models ? most of them live with their heads in the sand. I can see why this woman pursued a modeling career and not something that required a degree. Not the brightest bulb on the branch!!


MmmmmmmmmmmmYEAH replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Your sister could have contacted La Leche League, where free of charge she would have gotten the support it sounds like she needed. A model is a mother like any mother and is entitled to her opinion. I assure you that professional models often work significantly more than 9-5. A degree does not equal intelligence. Some of the most educated people of this country have failed it miserably. Take medical professionals, for example, who have made birth and mothering into a medical condition that requires medication or surgery to fatten their own wallets while pushing formula and participating in the misinformation of commercial campaigns that alienate mothers from their own children and their own natural instincts. Yet we as women have become so uneducated that we allow them to dictate what our and our children's bodies can and will do and how. Yet the rate of c-sections, childhood diabetes and obesity, cancers, autism, e.t.c.. is skyrocketing. What a joke.

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markenriquez71 says:: the fact that what she said is a 'CONTROVERSY' proves how there are to many stupid people on this earth, of course breast feeding a child is the most natural, most nutritional, and healthiest way to go, of course you can't make it mandatory, but is this even a debate, come on man, what kind of s--- is this; reply