Breast in class? Professor nurses during lecture

By HLNtv.com Staff

updated 11:59 AM EDT, Wed September 12, 2012

NEED TO KNOW

American University teacher breastfeeds sick baby at work
Students, others, divided on appropriateness

Breast in class? Professor nurses during lecture

An assistant professor at American University in Washington, D.C. has caused quite a stir by breastfeeding her baby while giving a lecture to students.

According to HLN affiliate WJLA, the feeding took place on the first day of Adrienne Pine's "Sex, Gender, and Culture" class about two weeks ago.

Pine had written on a blog that morning that her baby girl was sick with a fever and couldn't be taken to daycare, but that she didn't want to cancel the first day of class.

When Pine was contacted by the campus newspaper about the incident, she wrote on her blog: "I was shocked and annoyed that this would be considered newsworthy."

While some students supported the professor, others didn't think her actions were appropriate for the classroom. "I feel like it was really unprofessional of her," said American senior Jeff Williams. "I feel like she should have at least stepped out of the room."

The university, for its part, issued a statement reading, in part: "AU does not have a policy that specifically addresses breast-feeding. We're guided by federal and DC law, which do not prohibit or allow breast-feeding in certain environments."

What do you think? Was Pine within her rights and the limits of good taste, or should she have found another time and place to take care of her baby? Let us know in the comments below!

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