hi Ellen I live in the Seattle area, and what Wendi wrote seems to be true up here too. Although, I've haven't really looked to see if people were looking at me, because I was really focused on my babies and making sure that they were satisfied. I just can't stand crying babies in public - maybe that's just me not wanting to draw attention to myself & what I consider an act of bonding between us. I grew up in TX, and even though I've been back here for 13 years, I still notice that people in the NW are much more closed off and private than they are down there. My hunch is that there's lots of "closet nurslings" up here, maybe because the weather is usually "indoor weather" up here? Lots of people bf up here, from what I understand, the highest numbers in the US (although, they aren't that high :(). Nordstrom is by far the biggest retail advocate of breastfeeding mothers, and they are sponsoring our new book, "Breast Friends: The King County Breastfeeding Resource Guide" which goes live online around May 18th. http://www.breast-friends.org It's a really AWESOME book, BTW, so check it out when it goes live. Anyway, Nordstrom is throwing our book launch party for us and doing several things to really publicize that breastfeeding is the best feeding method (now, to let them know about the mothering part....:). They have certified nursing bra fitters and carry bra pads and mat belts. They have nursing lounges is almost all of their stores in our parts (even though they still have the bottle on their signs, guess they can't put a boob on there haha), and I always see several mothers in there at the same time nursing their babies. <GRINNING> Since Nordstrom is anchored and founded here in the Seattle area, I think that speaks volumes for them to back our breastfeeding book project and put their heavy weight behind it. What they do, others follow. I don't think I'm too idealistic when I say that Nordstrom's backing of our breastfeeding book will get many more mothers than usual to consider breastfeeding, and hopefully will get our six month numbers up higher by peer pressure alone, and move us to be the first baby friendly county in the US. This is a really terrific project that I hope others in the the US will follow suit on (and I know others have preceded us). I think it comes down to cultural norm - up here, bf is slowly but surely getting to be the cultural norm, at least up to 6 months, from my journeys out and about with kids. Boeing is a big supporter, as well as Microsoft. I'm a shameless nursing mother, and I nurse when the little one needs it, no matter where I am. I'm discreet enough for my & my son's tastes, and that's all that really matters. Hope this helps you! :)Kristine Owens CLD CD(DONA) South King County Breastfeeding Coalition PR Coordinator and Webmaster, http://www.breast-friends.org http://www.kristineowens.com *********************************************** 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