because you're not blabbering like a moron, unlike some people.

You've probably seen babies breastfeeding and had no idea what you've seen. You don't have to disrobe to nurse a baby. Ever see a mom hold a baby wrapped in a blanket, but can't see the baby's face? That baby was probably nursing. It isn't loud, either. You know how when you're looking for a new car, you suddenly see the kind of car you like everywhere? I never noticed nursing mothers before until I was one myself. They are out and about everywhere.

Breastmilk is is much, much better for babies than formula is. There's really no comparison, it's full of antibodies that prevent diseases and all other kinds of good stuff. I won't bore you with the details, but highly encourage you to look into it if and when you become a parent.

Anywhere that it is appropriate for a baby to be, it's appropriate for its mother to feed it if needed. It's just not appropriate to take a baby to the symphony, regardless of how it's fed.

Children under five should not be at live theatre or adult (i.e., not directed at children, such as animated films) movies. Period. End of story. Yes, this restricts a parent's choices - tough. A parent's first duty is to their kid, not themselves.

This takes the cake. There is no limit to the entitlement-minded attitudes that some people will have, is there?

You chose to be a parent. Being a parent means (or at least it should mean) making sacrifices. That means for the first year of your child's life, you need to tend to your child. If that means staying home and missing a few things, so be it. How fricking selfish can one get? How does this thought even pass through the head of a sane person?

I imagine it sounds something like this:

"I really want to go to the opera, but Jane needs to be breastfed. I know, I'll take her with me and latch her onto my tit right there in the seat!"

Give me a huge break. News to wannabe hip-moms: Nobody thinks you're a saint because you try to do it all or act like you can. And no, nursing babies are not incredibly easy to keep quiet. If they're not hungry they can fuss because they're tired and the loud noises of the theater keep them awake when they desperately want to sleep. The fact that I had to endure the wailing of a newborn infant at the 10:00 p.m. showing of Sin City is proof of this.

Be considerate of others. Pump and get a sitter or stay home. It's not going to kill you to make a choice one way or the other instead of trying to have your cake and eat it too and end up bothering everyone around you.

Parents, please take advantage of children's theatre, symphony, museums, and other events that are designed specifically for small children. Early exposure is a great idea and can lead to lifelong interest. Don't assume that your children are well-behaved at adult venues (they're not, despite what you think).

As for using restaurant meals as a way to teach children manners - why not start with meals at home?

I think that women should be allowed and even encouraged to nurse discreetly in all kinds of public places, including restaurants, airplanes, malls, and coffee shops.

Yes, but why discrete? Women should be proud of their large milk-engorged mammaries and elongated nipples. It is a public serve to lug those ladies around, why not show them off? Why are we so uptight about this? Let the dogs out, alreaady... let's do it like the do it in Africa, girls, National Geographic style!!!

Call me a prude if you will (and remember I'm a single guy with no kids) but maybe the people around just don't want to see your breast(s).

Not me. I would like to see their juicy breasties.

I posted earlier about the disturbances I often have to resolve as an usher at a big movie theater.

It seems to me that there are actually two issues here - should (potentially disruptive) young children be brought to the theater (which most posts have answered No) and should nursing mothers be permitted to nurse "wherever and whenever"?

I've already responded to the first issue, and agree with the majority of these posts, but what about the public permission/restraints of nursing?

Why are all movies required to have a rating? Because there are some things that some people just do not want, or don't want their children, to see. If a nursing mom presents a breast to her nursing baby while in a PG-rated movie, is that movie-going experience now rated PG-13?

Call me a prude if you will (and remember I'm a single guy with no kids) but maybe the people around just don't want to see your breast(s).

Any comments on that?

Oh... and while I'm on the subject. Here's a parent-related issue that I run into all the time at work - parents who send their young children into the restroom alone, wait in the hall, then get impatient and go into the restroom to help or retrieve their kids.

Bear with me - I am NOT talking about moms who go into the ladies room to get their daughters. I am talking about moms who waltz right into the men's room (while there are other men in there) to help/get their young boys.

And don't think this is limited to moms. Yes, believe it or not, many dad's now apparently feel quite free to just waltz right into the ladies room to get/help their young daughters.

Honestly. This happens alot. Just yesterday I saw a grown man walk into the ladies room. I ran to the door and yelled for him to get out of there. He came out with a little girl in tow and gave me a dirty look, saying "Hey, I had to get my daughter!"

At least two or three times each weekend I see parents enter the wrong restroom to get their kids. And that's just the ones I see.

How do people feel about this?

Personally I feel that if you're child so obviously needs your help or attention to successfully navigate a bathroom then you should take that child with you into the restroom appropriate for your gender. If your a dad who's nervous about his young daughter seeing other men using the urinals, then cover her eyes until you get into a stall.