I believe we are ignoring one important factor with this issue, and that is
the "other"
guest, patrons or visitors in the gallery.   When the infant is crying and
screaming for
food, why not ask the other guest if they are being disturbed by the noise
level?

Guest/patrons paid good money to enjoy their visit to the gallery, and with
a screaming
child wanting food---do they deserve to have their experience and visited
ruined?
Why not allow nursing mothers in libraries?  Movies?

When someone is trying to study, read, etc., having any noise is difficult.
And I'm
sorry, galleries, libraries and movie houses are just not suited for
infants, when other
people are trying to enjoy the event.   I've been to many movies and
galleries, and it often
takes two-to-ten minutes of crying before the baby settles down or the
parents have the consideration for others to take their infant out.   But,
by then the rest of us missed the movie or cannot even enjoy our own visit.
I beleive many theathers have on their previews instructions to remove a
crying child, and many have lounges to handle nursing an infant.

I have no intention of being crude by saying this, but as far as women
feeding their babies in public is it preverted to look?   Hey, I'm a guy!
;o)  But, other women also look, including children.   I would look at a
women top-less at a beach or exposing herself in a public place.  It is not
preverted.   Sometimes you look because you are shocked to see a breast
hanging out in public or someone running around topless.  Remember the
streaking days?   You cannot help from looking---but it distrubed the game
or event.  Even in many churches, infants are provided a nusery.  Maybe this
may solve the issue.

Again, nursing mothers can express milk before they go out for the evening
to stop that hurting nibble.  They can also get a baby sitter for a few
hours to get out and enjoy a gallery/museum (I'm sure most mother's would
like the time away) without distrubing other guest that would like some
peace and enjoyment while visiting the gallery.

Again, IMHO, it is ignornate for parents to bring infants to such public
places, when the infant/child is to young to even know what they are seeing
or doing.   And for them (the parents or mother) to destroy my enjoyment, or
that of other patrons is inconsiderate, rude and should not be allowed in a
public place where others have paid admission to see and enjoy.   As a
guest, I would demand my money back.   Galleries and exhibits are spaces to
learn -- and it is a proven fact that it is difficult to learn with noise
and distractions are taking place.

Again, the focus has been on the nursing mother, and we have ignored the
rest of the visitors' enjoyment.   A crying baby or nursing mother is a
distraction, that should be handled in a private area, leaving the rest of
the patrons free to relax and enjoy the gallery.  The parent should have the
reasoning to take the child out, handle the issue or have the resources
there to calm the child immediately or not bring the infant at all.

This has nothing to do with ole' Victorian customs, but just common courtesy
for the rest of our guest.

~~~  Toro!

John

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