In today’s photo round-up, I’ve just linked to some pictures of Maggie Gyllenhaal breastfeeding her daughter Ramona on a New York street.

I ummed and aahed about whether to link to them - whether it was an invasion of privacy or whatever - but I decided that if we have pictures of Maggie walking down the street with Ramona (as we have frequently featured in the round-ups), then if she’s happy to breastfeed on the street, then we should treat it the same.

There were similar photos of Maggie and Ramona a few weeks ago and I read a quite intense discussion about it on Gawker. I was amazed at how vehement people were that she was in the wrong to feed Ramona in public.

Knowing that she’s almost constantly followed by photographers wherever she goes, it must have taken a lot of guts for Maggie to do it: she would have known that the pictures would be taken and would potentially attract negative comments. But even knowing that would be the case, she was still comfortable enough to respond to Ramona’s need to feed. If other people were uncomfortable with her decision, then the problem lies with them. Her action isn’t hurting anyone (in fact it’s helping one little girl get a full tummy) or promoting ideas that will hurt anyone - there is no reason to be uncomfortable with it, other than societal prejudices and conventions that people adhere to without thinking about them.

As full disclosure, I should probably point out that I suspect I would feel uncomfortable if I came across this scene in the street: I grew up in a community that was shy about displaying the human body unless in allowed situations (eg bikinis on holiday and Page 3 of the Sun). But I recognise this is MY problem, something for me to deal with and not something that I should use as a reason to restrict the freedoms of others. I don’t like fruit either but again that’s my problem, you feel free to eat that apple. Or if you’re Ramona Sarsgaard, enjoy your milk.