J:

  for me personally this is both a LARGE can of worms and a VERY HIGH soap
box....

   I believe, having been on both sides, nursing mom and conference planner,
 the issue is that babies are distracting (ie: noisy) to participants who
have spent time and money to come, to hear and to learn.,

    Now, where the probems arise are , imho, 1) that woman attend with
infant./child in tow and are not considerate of those around,--ie: baby is
fussy and she does not step out,  2)mom does not plan day to make sure that
infant/child has sufficient outlet time to be able to sit quietly during
sessions, 3) many people are incredible sensitve to noises about them....
while coughing and sneezing and chatting are acceptable, gurgling cooing and
indications of time to feed are not. 4) the persception, even amoung health
care professions, is that one is unable to be attentive or professional with
children about...


           the botom line is children are not to be seen...just discussed.

                     Patricia