Carol B writes: >i just don't believe that breastfeeding in public is radical. its normal. and >it is certainly not always possible to be discreet. As someone pointed out, it is not seeing the breast that makes objectors uncomfortable (angry) but the fact that the woman *is* breastfeeding. We all know that much more breast is shown on the beach or even on the street. Even if another person was offended by a barely covered non-lactating breast in public, she would not address the offender or ask her to move to another space. So, discreet breastfeeding outside the home--no breast showing at all-- does not satisfy those who see suckling at the breast as shameful. If they haven't breastfed or if they have not had a close friend or relative who did so in their presence, they see breastfeeding as a very un-human thing to be doing. They aren't offended by babies of other mammals feeding at their mothers breasts. In fact it is "cute." I think that what will turn the tide of this private/public thing is for enough people to see daughters, sisters, friends--loved ones--breastfeeding their precious babies in casual settings. Then they won't find themselves aghast at the thought of such an activity going on. They will know that it is not about what is known as "sex." (Even though breastfeeding is a part of a woman's sexuality.) It is simply and naturally about feeding babies. For every woman who bares her entire breast to feed her baby, there are many who just lift their shirts (or whatever garment they wear) and allow their little ones to feed as humans are meant to do. They aren't making a statement and they aren't waving placards. Their babies are hungry and they just feed them. It is an insult to the beauty of their mothering to call them "unclean." And with the state legislation, more women are realizing this. Women used to have to be in seclusion from the time that they were showing their pregnancy. It was highly offensive to others for them to be in public is such a state! Now there are maternity tops with arrows pointing down to the word "BABY." Somewhere there was a transition. Someone, somewhere didn't stay at home. My daughters and I were discussing "Independence Day" today, as it is the US celebration on July 4. They pointed out that those who were rebelling in 1776 were not the mainstream, don't offend anybody type of folks. Change never comes by looking to see what everyone else is doing and following along. And in any movement there are always the detractors who are threatened by someone's position or action that is different from theirs. Anytime something in a culture needs to change, there must be those who will take a stand and not fear someone's looking askance at them or asking them to desist. The mother who was asked to leave the waiting room in the doctor's office may not be one of the leaders--yet. She felt weak and helpless--this time. But she's on her way. She did contact Monique and she did know that she had been wronged. Those of us who are strong got that way by being challenged sometime in our lives. Maybe we came to motherhood with self confidence or maybe we grew it as our milk grew our babies strong. It would be fun to see the next chapter in this particular story. If Monique learns further from this mother, let us know. When I work with a mother who needs to stand up for herself and her baby either with an HCP or a family member, I tell her that this is just the beginning. She will have many "opportunities" to defend her right to mother her children as is true to her. Her baby is *depending* on her to be strong and to protect him when his health or safety are threatened. And mothers everywhere learn that they are much stronger than they ever thought the could be. [The mothers like that.] I ask them who is served by their giving in to the demands of others when they believe that others are wrong. Are these other "advisors" going to accept responsibility if things go wrong or if "new" information comes forth? I love to see women who were passive and helpless grow into strong, responsible, self-confident women. And feeding a baby at the breast is one good way to grow 'em strong. Pat Gima, IBCLC Milwaukee, Wisconsin Mailto:[log in to unmask] *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html