Philip Newton's journal

I don't see the harm in doing it in public as long as a woman somewhat retains her modesty. [...] The only time I've been kind of offended is when the breastfeeding woman won't cover up with a blanket. [...] it doesn't mean we all have to see exactly what's going on.

I agree. But the women I've seen breastfeeding in public (or at least in the company of others) so far didn't use a blanket, but still managed to keep modest; what wasn't covered by their sweater was covered by the baby's head except for maybe two seconds while the baby latched on. Usually not even then, though.

I remember also being at a small gathering of young couples (I was the only single there, but the others weren't much older than I), and two women wanted to breastfeed their children. The first just went ahead and did so (pull up a corner of the shirt, unbutton bra, apply child -- you didn't see anything). The second was more reticent, but to me it seemed from their conversation that it was lack of practice: the first woman had been nursing her second baby, the second woman had her first baby.

I can well imagine that it takes a bit of practice before you can do it without exposing yourself to all around you, but it's possible. (And, in my opinion, desirable -- i.e. the not exposing yourself bit.)

So I think I pretty much agree with what you say.