Since joining lactnet I have become an addict.  I must retire back to our
computer room nightly, or my day is incomplete.  I really admire all the
professionals that take their time to answer the many important questions
that come up while we are practicing our profession.  I have been hesitant to
enter into the present discussion about babies at conferences, because I do
not want to offend my fellow lactnetters.  I must confess that the amount of
time we have spent on this topic is really beginning to bug me. For most of
us attending conferences it is costly and time consuming.  We go to the
meetings because we believe that we must keep current in order to practice in
our field.  We are usually in this field because we admire families and love
babies. I personaly find it very irritating when mothers with young babies
attend a conference  and fail to leave the room when their baby cries.  I
also find myself very distracted because I can't keep my eyes off the baby.
 When I attend a conference I expect to hear the speaker.  I have never
resented the baby.  I really find myself irritated at the mother who feels
she can sit there and hold a crying infant.  It is those mothers that
probably make conference planners decide to exclude babies.   Sorry if I have
offended anyone.