Grandmaster — “Has anyone here’s grandmother, even once, nursed in public (including covered up)? I sincerely doubt it. I doubt even the goyim of that generation were wont to do so. How did they manage?”
Actually, I have a nursing book published in 1958 with an entire chapter discussing how to nurse discreetly in public places! I agree that nowadays many goyim nurse in ways that are indiscreet and obviously not tznius, but that’s not our discussion.
In addition, I don’t have the source but I know this topic is discussed by Chazal, and that even in the times of Chazal women dealt with this issue.
bpt — “Airplane restrooms are cleaner than some kitchens. And as far as the wait, waiting on line for the restroom is a given. You’re just as entitled to your time slot as the next person.”
I don’t know what airplanes you’ve been flying on, or whose kitchens you’ve been eating in. . . Many public places have reasonably clean bathrooms, but NOT airplanes in my experiences (airports are actually not so bad). As far as “your time slot” the bathrooms on airplanes are assumed to be used for a specific purpose. The time slot required to use the facilities, even if you need some extra time is no where near what is required to nurse an infant — particularly if you have a slow eater. One of my kids had poor sucking skills and required about 45 minutes per feeding (and as a young baby ate every 3 – 4 hours. Tying up a restroom for 45 minutes every 4 hours is a lot more than would be considered a reasonable time slot!
It honestly sounds that you don’t have much experience with babies being nursed exclusively or primarily, which is why you are having trouble understanding this discussion. For many women, “just give a bottle” is not a practical solution for the baby or the mother, and that seems to really be what you mean by “alternatives”.
I would have no problem with my son sitting next to a properly covered woman feeding her baby. I do not think he would turn shades of purple — I think he would probably not notice, and if did cross his mind “hey, I wonder if she’s nursing under that blanket” he wouldn’t think twice about it!