breastfeeding in public places

[Anita]

My question is really for those of you who are based in and around Phoenix, as that's where we'll be moving to in a month or so: we have a 6-week-old daughter whom I breastfeed and I would like to know what it's like for nursing mothers in Phoenix.

Here in Germany it's no problem at all: "any time, any place", never any weird looks or comments from anyone. I remember though that when I was breastfeeding our son and we were travelling in SE Asia (he was 5 months old), I mostly used a scarf to cover myself and the baby, as I did in India (he was 11 months old then). In Singapore there were dedicated mother and baby rooms most places, they were ok but meant we couldn't stay with the rest of the group through dinner sometimes etc. if he happened to be hungry at the same time, so I wasn't too pleased with having to use them. Also, once the room was in with the ladies' toilets, so I just refused to use it: who wants to be fed next to a toilet???

In England people are OK about it, but you just don't see that many mothers breastfeeding their babies as you do in Germany. I don't want to feel uncomfortable in Phoenix, so I'd like to know in advance what's ok and what isn't. I remember that story about a woman being taken off a Delta plane not that long ago for breastfeeding, I don't want to run into that kind of situation! On the other hand, there is no way I am going to STOP feeding my daughter until she is ready, so I guess if it's frowned upon I'll just have to bear the stares or whatever. I know that the law in AZ supports a woman's right to breastfeed in any public place...

Looking forward to hearing what you all think about this!