Absolutely, there is nothing more beautiful than a woman breast feeding a child. My wife breast fed all 3 of our children and there was nothing more sexy but not sexual in nature. But as much as it is natural to breast feed and a mothers right to do so, it should be done discreetly. A fair amount of these women want it to be "in your face" type of thing and show no discretion claiming it's their right and it's natural. While I feel it's OK to exercise your right to do that but it shouldn't come at the cost of other peoples rights.
There are other natural body functions as well. If those same mothers were having a picnic lunch in the park and someone came up to a tree next to them and urinated in plain view of them and their older children, they couldn't call 911 fast enough. But why? Isn't it natural to urinate? They would claim their rights were violated and shouldn't have to see that but its OK for them to do what they do in public. But if that same person went behind something or into the woods they would be exercising discretion. Which all of us should do. We become so self absorbed in our own wants and rights that we lose focus that others have rights as well.

Why, oh why, would the diners in that restaurant prefer to have a screaming baby at the next table, making all conversation impossible?

Also, the analogy between breastfeeding and urination is poorly chosen. Yes, bodily fluids are involved in both instances, but breastmilk, when feeding, goes almost entirely into the baby and isn't scattered on shared surfaces. I don't see how public breastfeeding is a violation of others' rights. They can always look the other way, or leave if it is too offensive to them to see a baby's needs being met.

When I choose to go out to dinner I certainly do not want to see an exposed breast when I am enjoying my food. Time the feedings or stay home!!!

It really is none of my business if someone is feeding their baby.
Seriously who cares?

Telling a nursing mother to time the feedings or stay home is ridiculous. Don't want to see a baby nurse? DON'T LOOK! Simple!

Janice are you really that offended? Maybe you should stay home!!! You can't always time a feeding & breast feeding moms shouldn't have to stay home or out of public for feeding their child, society has this so screwed up! Maybe all these little girls walking around with their breasts hanging out should stay home or woman wearing bathing suit tops that barely cover them should not be in the public scene ?! No one seems to care about them but a mother feeding her child which is natural is a problem?

@ roadkillbill: saying it is sexy defeats the whole message that a lot of these protesters are trying to get out there. Maybe you meant "beautiful"? However, my opinion is that, unfortunately, in this country, breasts will always be objectified in a sexual way.

Of course they should and they should be discrete about it.

Yes. If we are hungry, we eat so why deprive a babe who has no other way of communicating? Beauty has nothing to do with it. Its no different really than a cat feeding her kittens or any other animal. My daughter in law does and is discreet about it, and even then this man came up to her and leered, "I know what you are doing under there"!! If it were me, I'd have told him to back off as he had his turn already.

I would draw the line at exposing BOTH breasts while feeding the baby.

Just more dilebrate breakdown of common sense and morality. A sensable mother would, bring the baby to a quiet location away from others to feed the baby. Most that insist on doing it in a restraunt are out to prove a point and dare you to say something. Why not change the baby on the table while you are at it...... it needs to be done, and it will keep the kid quiet while you are dining.............

What year is this? Are these people for real?
I can tell you that my response would be to smile and feel good upon seeing a happy healthy child
I had children in 1973 1975 and 1998 I breast feed them all. I remember my mother telling me stories about how she was told ( by my father) to go into the bedroom of her own home to bread feed . It brought back humiliating memories for her when I breast feed openly
If you think that was a good idea - putting women backwards in time - vote for Romney. Women will have no voice over their bodies once again!!!

ah yes... this story reminds me of my first meal...i'm still a big baby...

It is very easy to drape a light weight baby blanket - or even a chic scarf while feeding the baby. Has been done for generations. Moderation in all things. Baby must be fed but that activity should fit in with the rest of acceptable societal behavior. Contact your local La Leche league for info on breast feeding. It is a great support group which promotes breastfeeding.

Are you people absolutely kidding me? Do we live in a communist. Oh try where the essence of life is something to scoff at and be uncomfortable around? How many of you idiots opposed to this are pro life? We have evolved as a society of intellectuals, but apparently a lot of us have not. If the woman strips off her clothes and parades around with the baby hanging from her nipple maybe I could see an issue here. But I bet most of you cnt keep yourself from staring and trying to catch a peak of the nipple and that makes you uncomfortable. A BABY NEEDS TO BE FED, WHEN IT IS HUNGRY. Breast feeding is the most natural thing you could possibly do. How about you self centered, sexually disturbed Hippocrates get a clue.

U have got to be kidding me

Maybe we should make all mothers wear a burka while they are outside. Or when you have a baby, you have to stay in the house until the kid is 4, or stone her while she's BREAST FEEDING HER CHILD you morons

Breast feeding is nature's way of providing the perfect nourishment and bonding for growing a healthy human being. Do some soul searching if you have a little problem with it.

Patricia......Patricia.......lets not be childish. I made a reasonable point and do believe that most people would perfer that common sense toward decency would prevail..

Janet
I can't believe it, nothing, has changed. Nursing is still stirring things up. I nursed my 2 children, one for 2 yrs and the other for 2 1/2 yrs in the mid 70's and early 80's. I always covered my breast with a thin cotton diaper by Curity. Now, you can't find any thin 100 % cotton diapers thanks to disposables. For a baby, nursing is hard work. They have sweat beading up on their nose and forehead. The nursing Mom's body temperature is always higher than 98.6 until she weans the baby. Her body is a warm in order to keep her milk warm. Do I say cover up? Yes, indeed,
but it is easier said than done. There are very few light weight cotton fabrics available to use as cover-ups. Mom's need to dress light which can be a challenge. Let's try not to judge them too harshly, who wants to spend all of their time in the Ladies Room.

I nursed three children in late 60's when it was unfashionable. There was little support for nursing mothers even from the medical community. Breastfeeding in public was totally forbidden. It's good that nursing mothers are supported and encouraged. However, common sense must prevail.

I don't see the problem of one of a nursing mother. I see the problem is one where one is trying to dine with a baby who might become cranky and interere with others' enjoyment of their dinners. I spent a lot of time entertaining three children away from other diners as soon as I felt that they would disturb others.

There are so many options for clothing and underclothing for nursing mothers. Sensitivity to others must rule. A table could have been chosen where the chair could have been turned away from other diners.

Babies should be breast fed, but, perhaps, not taken out to restaurant dinners unless there is easy opportunity or nursing discreetly.

This story stinks. She "accidentally" get this story out on the "National week of breastfeeding". Calling radio, TV and newspapers to encourage the coverage of her "nurse -in" and highlight HER right to breastfeed just shows how far some people would go to get their 15 minutes of fame. No class, no modesty or common sense.

Within reason. There is no reason a woman can't cover up with a light cloth or blanket. You do not have to disrobe for all to see. Yes it's natural, but a bit of modesty is appropriate.

Elaine

It's not that hard to try to be discreet when nursing... I nursed in public all the time, with some type of nursing blanket for privacy. No big deal.

Catherine

Yes on both topics!!

@RoadKillBill
Here's the quote I was referring to:
"Obumer, you know the community organizer, with no abitlty to lead this failing nation is not the answer either.......He may let you breast feed in the restraunt, but that restraunt won't be there much longer if the economy continues to tank."
Sure sounds like a political slap at the President to me. I probably would have ignored it if Mel hadn't deliberately twisted President Obama's name, denigrated his service as a "community organizer", slammed his performance as president under very difficult if not impossible conditions in the Republican/TeaParty led House. BTW Mel could use a spelling lesson too.

Let's keep on topic: Should women breastfeed in public.

I believe a woman should be allowed to breastfeed anywhere child and mother are both allowed (which is law in most states now). I do not believe a woman should HAVE to cover up. The argument with the mother going to a discreet part of a restaurant to breastfeed because of the sounds of the baby eating is ridiculous. The sounds would be just about the same had the baby been drinking from a bottle or even louder from self feeding. People have to listen to other people eat every day. You cannot tell me you have NEVER sat near a person who chewed with their mouth open. Did you ask that person to go eat in a discreet part of the restaurant because you didn't want to hear them eat?? Of course not, that would be rude. Asking a mother do take her child somewhere else to eat just because you don't like it is rude as well. Also as long as the mother wasn't baring her entire breast there shouldn't be a problem with her not covering up. I have breastfed many many times without a cover and without showing anything. Even when my daughter would quickly move I would have my shirt or something prepared in such a way it would cover any "nip slip." And asking a mother to put a cover over her child while feeding is ridiculous. Would you like to eat with a blanket over your head?? I doubt it, why should the child?? My daughter hated being covered and would stop eating if she was covered. She also got sick from it. Would you like the child to vomit while you are eating dinner or just eat??

Everyone is so angry all the time. Can we, at least, agree on what to call people around here? If we're going to use generalities and rhetoric to label people, lets simplify it.
From now on, anyone who could be considered left of your opinion can simply be referred to as "Dirty Hippy". Anyone to the right of your opinion can be called "Redneck". These terms encompass everything one group dislikes about the other while not being overly offensive. They have the added benefit of being easy to spell.
As for those who completely disagree with you, instead of labelling them Socialist, Communist, Marxist, Daoist, etc. They shall all just now be labelled either as Nazis or as Hitler. We already have Godwin's Law firmly in place, why fiddle with a good thing.

These are just some of the changes that will take place once I am elected Overlord of the Known and as yet Unknown Universe (or OKUU pronounced oh-koo) this November that will make all of your lives better.
For instance, once I am OKUU, no one will be permitted to wear clothing anywhere at any time. This simple decision eliminates this controversy as well as issues with school uniforms, gang colors and what to wear on a first date just to name a few.
You are welcome.

Remember, this Novemeber vote Patrick for OKUU. Nudity and Pie for Everyone!

This whole topic is absurd. And I can't. Elieve there is any discussion contrary to a mother feeding her child wherever and whenever they need to.