Just to offer a different viewpoint here... I am a passionate supporter of breast feeding. I have gone to hell and back to breast feed my children. I support the right of women to breast feed wherever they need to.

BUT... For me, I always tried to be aware of those around me and their comfort. Yes breastfeeding is perfectly natural and a biological reality, but we can't deny that for many men (and women) it is confronting for a woman to breastfeed in front of them without any kind of covering.

Men can find themselves not knowing where to look (they are trying to follow the etiquette of conversation that dictates they look people in the eye, and it's next to impossible to do that without the breasts being in the peripheral vision), and are worried they might see something they don't want to. I must admit that I would rather someone feeding in front of me cover up. Of course, I would never ask them to if they didn't, but in all honesty that's my preference.

So to answer the question of whether there is an etiquette surrounding breast feeding - yes, I believe that in public there is the expectation that a woman will cover up. Not that she should be banished to the bathroom or even have to leave the conversation - but that she will take steps to ensure the comfort of others who she is with. I don't think we do our cause any favours when we assert our right to breast feed without being discreet (and yes, we are totally within our rights to let it all hang out).

I get that some babies don't like being covered. I know that attachment can be harder (believe me, what was already really painful for me was excruciating when I was doing it under a wrap). I know this is a complex issue with many viewpoints. I'm not trying to oppress anyone here - just offering my opinion.