As has been said by others, it's not an issue of mother with baby so much
as an issue of inconsiderate attendees.  I have been totally annoyed and
distracted by individuals sitting near me at conferences who believed
this was a good time to catch up on mutual friends/colleages during a
presentation.

Earlier this year I paid good money of my own (not my employer's) to fly
to a conference in another state, and paid for conference fees, meals and
hotel.  I sat near a couple of  women whose registration had been paid by
their employer.  They kept up continuous, non-relevant conversation
during the entire morning session, paying no attention whatsoever to the
speaker or topic being presented.

Before the beginning of the afternoon session, I asked them to please
keep quiet or leave the session.  They looked at me like I was the wicked
witch of the West.  Fortunately, after 15 miutes of enforced silence they
got up and left and took their conversation to the lobby.

Breastfeeding mothers and their babies should be welcomed at lactation
conferences.  And, yes, I believe nursing mothers should leave if their
babies become unsettled and too noisy during a conference.

It's all about good manners, common sense and consideration of others
....  whether you have a baby in arms or not.

Unambiguously yours,


Mary Cummins, M.Ed., IBCLC
Scottsdale, AZ

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