BabyTalk, a free publication in the U.S. aimed at new mothers hoping to illustrate the controversy surrounding public breastfeeding in the U.S. by publishing what is said to be the first American magazine cover to break the taboo about showing a woman’s breast, has done exactly that. According to this AFP report, 25% of some 5,000 letters regarding the cover have expressed outrage (!) and disgust (?!).
Some of the feedback:

“I was offended and it made my husband very uncomfortable when I left the magazine on the coffee table.”
“Gross, I am sick of seeing a baby attached to a boob,” the mother of a four-month-old said.
These comments are from new mothers. Clearly it is an understatement on the part of the editors that “There is a real puritanical streak in America.” It is apparent that embarassment about breastfeeding begins in the home. Sad.
I am sure This Magazine readers will not be offended, here in fact is our beautiful Jan/Feb 2004 cover (our first with the redesign). It was itself not without controversy, as we debated ourselves just how much to show. (In the end, no nipple.)