"The other day in church a woman in the pew behind me was breast feeding. No one stared or criticized or in any other way tried to control her or stop her from feeding her child. It was NATURAL. I go to a progressive church, Unitarian Universalist, with a female minister."

Just another consideration -- I go to an Orthodox Jewish shul, with lots of breastfeeding mothers, and we all breastfeed as needed. No one stares or criticizes or tries to stop us there, either. At most, the response is to maybe make room on the couch or on one of the more comfy seats. It happens to be an unusual Orthodox shul, in that members are not expected to be Orthodox themselves -- keeping Kosher and all that is considered totally optional -- but still, it's a far cry from a UU-type church.

I'm kind of new to this (very child-friendly) congregation, having been raised in the Reform tradition. But my conclusion from this experience is that acceptance of breastfeeding is more about acceptance of motherhood and children -- and simply being nice! -- than it is about being progressive or liberal. There are, after all, plenty of self-proclaimed liberals who will give you shit about breastfeeding.

The exact wording of the law provides that, in Texas, a mother is *entitled* to breastfeed anywhere that she is authorized to be.

So, it's not that women FEEL entitled to breastfeed, it's that their entitlement is actually protected under the law. Complain all you want about how you don't like breatfeeding and how it makes you feel icky. But, if you happen to be in Texas, don't mess with a breastfeeding mom.

Shazzer, if you're at the RMH, you either a) have a sick child, b) are visiting (and presumably care about)a sick child who is not your own, or c) are paid to take care of sick children. I understand that you, gentle soul, may find children (and their feeding procedures) to be disgusting, but I respectfully suggest you may be out of place in a place so singularly suited to children, families, and their needs. Perhaps you would be more comfortable if you stayed away, rather than asking struggling families to cater to your whims?

My point was that people CHOOSE to have children. Those of us who choose not to should not have to put up with anything associated with children in public. That's why we didn't have kids to begin with.

Hey, have all the kids you want, but don't expect to have special *rights* and don't expect to get sympathy for a condition you have chosen to bring on yourself.

You're missing the point; there's a huge difference between changing a diaper in the middle of a coffee shop, blocking the sidewalk with your double SUV stroller, bringing your children to a rated-R movie, or expecting child-free people to take on your duties at the office as opposed to whipping out a breast so a kid can eat. What's wrong with you that you're so offended by a NIPPLE? Sure, if someone sprayed you with a stream of breast milk I'd understand the freak out, but you really have to wonder about people so opposed to this activity.

Just because YOU exist doesn't mean I should have to be subjected to you eating in public. Gross! What about the fact I have to stare at your ugly-ass hairstyle or shiny bald head in my face on the subway every day? For god's sake COVER yourself so I don't have to have your high-waisted khaki Dockers or super low-rider skinny hipster pants in my line of vision.

My point is that you CHOOSE to exist in public. Those of us who didn't choose for your mother to poop you out shouldn't have to put up with anything associated with you in public.

My point was that people CHOOSE to have children. Those of us who choose not to should not have to put up with anything associated with children in public. That's why we didn't have kids to begin with.

Hey, have all the kids you want, but don't expect to have special *rights* and don't expect to get sympathy for a condition you have chosen to bring on yourself.

Maybe the breeders should think about those *logistical nightmares* before they go ahead and poison the world with their mistakes.

It's disgusting and unhygenic to breastfeed in public. I don't want to look at some breeders breasts when I'm trying to go about my life.

I'm repulsed by SUV strollers and the antics of lots of parents, but you're just uptight (I guess you are a direct descendant of the Mayflower).

One can only come to the conclusion that people like you ONLY associate the breast with sex. Therefore, when people complain about breast feeding in public, your mind must be in the gutter! I guess it's rather *titillating* to imagine folks in the RMH with sex on the brain constantly, but maybe they need to remember the primary biological function (after all, we're sexually attracted to breasts because they provide food for offspring, yes?).

Or are we talking about infantilism? That's a different fetish altogether. Anyone familiar with S&M knows the clientele are VERY puritanical.

"many people seem to forget that breasts, like penises are dual use biology"

Yeah, but when you see a guy trying to feed a baby with a penis you'd better call the police.

There seems to be a widespread misunderstanding about breast feeding and what can be seen during it.

The aereola of the mother, the critical boob portion that must be concealed at all times in a civilized society (be it by tiny bathing suits or pasties in a strip club with booze or the bustier Janet was wearing before she scarred us all by crashing into Justin Timberlake's hand and ripping it off with her remarkable brestical manipulation), is in. the. baby's. mouth.

Now, if you sit there and STARE STARE STARE you might get to see it! (Woo hoo! Nipple! It's darker than the rest!) But the bulk of the time, if you glance at a nursing mother and child you have about the same clevagey view that you'd get in any bar at any time.

Only, you know, not purely for your asthetic enjoyment. It's startling to see it out of context. But that doesn't make it *wrong.*

Its like when you're six and find out that your beloved first grade teacher has her OWN kids and doesn't live at the school. It's quite a shock and feels all weird to see her at the mall splitting a cinnabon with them. But you get over it. She's the same person, you're not ACTUALLY seeing anything exotic, just something that isn't for you. Same beloved teacher but in a new context. Its an opportunity for growth, for growing up even.