As I read the discussion on 'nursing' room,  I couldn't help but wonder if
the international bf community, and the North American one in particular,
could use the word 'breastfeeding' rather than 'nurse'.  I assume that it
was once 'breastfeeding' and I'd be curious to know when (and why) it
changed, as someone fascinated by language. 'Nursing' seems to only be used
for 'breastfeeding' in North America.
Semantics perhaps, but why not call it 'breastfeeding' - not 'nursing'
which really refers to a profession of trained people, doesn't it ?  and
'breastfeeding' need not be associated with professionals.
Is this offensive or does it have some appeal ?
As a bookseller too, I wish it would happen as it's very hard to sell books
with what Australians, NZers and others in our region find a confusing
term, eg 'Why Should I Nurse My Baby?' sounds to many in the world like a
question about cuddling a baby.
(I've mentioned this to Pam.)

Jan Cornfoot
Brisbane, Australia
Editor, Birth Issues
(who isn't at the NMAA International Conference as no bookstore was
'allowed' to exhibit, a 'first time' for us as we've always been invited to
exhibit at NMAA Conferences in Sydney before)