She used horrible judgement taking a sick baby to work with her. The breastfeeding thing is almost a side issue because her daughter should have been at home in the first place. That being said, America is so afraid of seeing a breast unless it's flaunting a bra in a huge Victoria's Secret ad. It's so sad that the students would be offended by it. Also, what AU might not realise is that when a baby is hungry, they aren't going to sit quietly and wait while mommy hides in designated pumping spot. Please, a man must have written that statement.

Taking a feverish baby anywhere isn't a good idea unless one is headed to the doctor. She must have felt a lot of pressure to have chosen to do her lecture. I wonder if she has tenure? That may have influenced her decision....

The irony that students were offended by breastfeeding in a feminist class called "Sex, Gender and Culture" is not lost on me. Can the offended students use this occasion to reflect on their own gender and culture issues? I recommend an articel "Why women still can't it all! <http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-cant-have-it-all/309020/>;

In trying to reflect back on how I might have felt when I was a young undergrad, I can see how bringing a baby (or a small child) to class would have been distracting for me. I love kids and would have been waaaay more interested in watching the baby than listening to the lecture. For me, the breastfeeding part would have been a total side note, as I have no issues with anyone's body. Unfortunately, it is in instances like these which grow larger than expected that a person finds themselves questioning their judgment. Hopefully she won't be suspended or anything that extreme. As far as the righteousness and judgment of the college kids in her class, well, it's easy to judge when you have so little personal life experience.

I agree with all the previous comments. For me as an undergrad, I would have definitely been much more distracted by the unorthodox behavior of a professor having a baby in the lecture room. It would have been a welcome distraction and I even would have supported the breastfeeding at that age. The ignorance and immaturity over breastfeeding in public continues to amaze me about people of all ages. I, too, agree that the mistake was taking a sick child in the classroom. If Pine had no other option, and forethought on the issue that would ensue, she could have most definitely portrayed the event as "purposeful" toward an assignment.

Actually, I might have taken a feverish baby to work with me - especially if I wre a professor. However, having been to college, I know that there are plenty of opportunities to go into another room and breastfeed while an associate or other person occupied the folks for 30 minutes.
@ Linda LOLOLOL

Something else I don't get on all this public breastfeeding stuff. I breastfed ALL my kids (some even into toddlerhood). And I ALWAYS covered myself up. Actually, a blanket over the baby helps him/her to feel more comforted while nursing. I always felt that the scent of their blanket would make them sleepy.

Tammy, that was public. You were just discreet. Most people are whom I've seen.

Tammy, are you telling me you would go through all that trouble of modestly covering today on a Marta train if your baby was hungry? Who's going to take their eyes off their cell phone to see you? : -)

@ Larry LOL
@ Rebecca - Yeah, that was my point. I don't understand NOT using discretion. Although, have you ever been in one of those classes? they totally believe in letting it all hang out figuratively speaking, so what's to stop them from thinking that everybody else thinks like them?

And for the record, I never did that in public. :) The most public I got was while a passenger in a car driving on the interstate. The blanket came in handy when truck drivers drove by. lol

I wouldn't have done it, but I probably wouldn't condemn it either. However, it's a bit much to expect her assistant to babysit.

;)

With sympathy for the baby I say, the Mother did what was best at the time. But… for the life of me, I will never understand anyone choosing a career over raising their own child. I have an opinion but would never tell a woman what she should be allowed to do with her own body (regarding abortion). I do however have a problem with a woman choosing to have a child while also choosing that someone else raise that child.
Our society promotes professional & financial success and that's fine but when you choose to bring another into this world, you damn well owe that child 100%. Choosing to drive an $80,000 Benz to drop your child off at daycare just seems unreasonable to me.
This of course is just 2 cents, coming from a man who has never birthed a child nor owned a Benz.

I can definitely sympathize with her situation as a single Mom, trying not to miss an important day of work. Rex, although I think you have some valid points, it doesn't sound like she has the option of not working. Unless you are a trustfund baby or your ex is very wealthy, single Moms have to work to make ends meet. I think society is too hung up on "professionalism" and separating parenthood from personhood. If you are viewing this issue from an American paradigm, then yes, it was an inappropriate move. If you are viewing this issue from an international "human" paradigm, then it's really not that big of a deal. It is a case of a Mom doing what was necessary to hold it together.

Dear Chris, As you may remember, the Patch terms of use do not allow for personal attacks, and you crossed the line with your attack on Athens Mama. So I deleted your last comment. I realize a lot of these issues rile people up but please refrain from demeaning personal comments in the future. Patch like folks to play nice. Thanks. Rebecca