As someone experienced in breastfeeding , I can testify that infants nurse so frequently that the only option other than nursing in public is staying home altogether. It's fine with me if Victoria's Secret doesn't want to allow nursing in their unoccupied dressing rooms (and for those who argued that it is a business, that's an okay point except that it is unlikely that they are all occupied). That said, I don't want any dirty looks when I'm sitting on a bench in the mall with my baby! I definitely don't want to hear that nursing in public is not allowed or is unacceptable (of course, it would take more than a mall security guy to unclamp a nursing infant from the breast to which they are attached). My breasts might not be the surgically enhanced, smooth round globes everyone is accustomed to seeing on tv and in magazines, but noone will be permanently injured after glimpsing them at the mall.

I didn't actually read the article (I have a two year old), but I will say that I think it makes sense to let the kid lead the way in terms of physical affection and independence.

For example, my youngest sister is 18 (I'm the oldest) just had her heart broken, and for the last two weeks, she's wanted my mom to sit with her while she watches tv and has wanted much more physical attention than in recent years. There's nothing wrong with that. She's sad and she wants her mommy.

My two year old wants her mama all the time and that's the way it should be. As she gets older, she'll quite naturally gain independence. I would never want her to think that she couldn't get a hug if she needed it, so I'll let her take the lead.

I don't mean to be rude, but breastmilk is unquestionably the best nutrition for a newborn. I'm not a breastfeeding nazi either, but I can't imagine doctors and/or health organizations recommending formula over breastfeeding anytime soon.

Obviously, formula is necessary in certain cases (if the mother is HIV positive, for example). However, we would do much better for poorer women if we encouraged them to breastfeed. It is MUCH cheaper than formula, it is easier than formula (especially if you are home) and is better nutrition for the baby.

Additionally, I simply don't believe that the LaLeche League (as rigid as some of their members can be) are intentionally putting forth incorrect information. While it is true that breastfeeding suppresses ovulation and thus renders birth control unncessary, that doesn't last very long (probably not long enough for most people to be ready to have sex again!) and can't be counted upon. In everything I've ever heard or read, they said that as soon as you ovulate, you can become pregnant again, and you will ovulate BEFORE you get your first post-pregnancy period, so you should always use a back up birth control method.

Like the "Anonymous" commenter, I too gave away the formula samples and coupons I received at the hospital. I likewise gave away the cans of formula that arrived in the mail and the coupons that continued to come for approximately a year after my daughter was born. It seems to me that the formula companies do a very good job of convincing mothers to switch to formula and we shouldn't be upset that public health officials are working to combat that offensive.

I got the sarcasm!

My younger brother and sister fall right into the A&F target demographic. Our mother hates A&F (the quasi-pornographic catalogs pushed her over the edge), so I used to try to buy them clothes or gift cards there for Christmas, birthdays, etc. The last time I walked in, I walked right back out and I won't go back again. I wasn't offended by the slogans or the pretty boys and girls who work there. It was the volume. I simply couldn't take the volume of the music. Dance music is fine, but shouting questions only works at dance clubs, not at chain stores in the mall. I would bet that the kids who work there get hearing damage after not too long.

I really enjoyed this article. As a mother, I totally identified with the author and I thought it was pretty brave of her to talk openly about the very personal ravages of childbirth! Likewise, I remember my midwife telling me at 6 weeks post partum that it was okay to have sex again if I wanted to (as I recall, my reaction was more "yikes!" than "let's go").

To those readers who complain about the author's tone or her medical experiences, I'm guessing that you've never given birth. Her doctor sounded like pretty much every other ob/gyn in the country. To echo another letter writer, I was happy not to be hearing about epidurals and c-sections.

To those readers who complain about too many articles about motherhood, children, childbirth, etc., I guess I would just remind you that you have a choice. You don't have to read articles that don't interest you. I haven't noticed a huge number of family-centric articles on Salon, and I like them, so I look for them.

I love my daughter more than anything, but if you ask me, doing anything "pre-dawn" is a chore.

Also, to echo Anonymous, 100 hours of primary child care time seems like a lot. I guess if you are a 100% stay at home mom, you could count all 168 hours per week as primary child care time, which is definitely accurate when your children are infants, but less so as they get older.