I have only read half the thread, so apologies if I am repeating anything. I have breastfed many times in public both in England and in Scotland where we have had a law against preventing a woman from breastfeeding for a couple of years already. I can't say that I have noticed any difference. Nobody has ever asked me not to and i have fed in cafes, restaurants, museums, libraries, park benches etc. The worst I have had is the occasional disaproving look - mainly from other women actually. Most of the time, I don't think anyone noticed me doing it - on several occasions people have come up to play with the baby, as they thought he was just being cuddled!

As to the idea that it is fine "in the privacy of your own home" - in the early days, both of my boys fed at 2 hourly intervals. This would have meant that for approximately 2 months I would have been unable to go out anywhere for more than about an hour (given that after they have fed for half an hour you then have to get them ready to go out and change their nappy etc). That is basically akin to imprisonment for no more reason than some people being embarrassed or offended at nothing more than a child getting its nourishment. It is no wonder the breastfeeding rates are so abysmally low in this country if people give up on breastfeeding because they are afraid of disapproval if they do it in public and feel imprisoned if they have to do it in private.