To the editor:

I am writing to express my utter amazement at the opposition exhibited by Sen. Kay O’Connor and other state senators regarding a woman’s right to breast-feed her baby in a public place. When did it become public policy as to how you “discreetly” feed your baby?

Sadly, I suppose, in part, it is the result of a society that views a woman’s breasts as purely sexual or ornamental, when they were created to be functional too. A baby shouldn’t be denied the best nutrition available to him simply because he becomes hungry in public and a public feeding might surprise an onlooker.

As the mother of three breast-fed babies, here’s my advice to those who happen to witness a mother breast-feeding her baby: Do not stare or think it a personal invitation to comment. It is not about you! Do what socially adept people do when they have accidentally come upon a private moment between two people: Turn away from that moment, go on about your business and feel good that someone is doing the very best to care for another human being. Nothing could be more natural or beautiful!

Jennifer Carttar,

Lawrence