Professor [PHOTOS] breast-feeds in class. A anthropology professor at American University found herself at the center of the most recent debate on breast-feeding after she simultaneously nursed her sick baby and taught her first class of the semester two weeks ago.

Her baby daughter woke up with a fever and could therefore not go to her normal day care center.  With no other care options for her daughter, the single mom made what she thought was the responsible choice, she brought her daughter along to class rather than cancel her first lecture and disrupt the course for her students.

The baby, in a blue onesie, also crawled on the floor when she wasn’t strapped onto Pine’s back. The mother extracted a paper clip from the girl’s mouth at one point and shooed her away from an electrical outlet.

On Tuesday, university officials issued a statement that appeared to convey disapproval.

"For the sake of the child and the public health of the campus community, when faced with the challenge of caring for a sick child in the case where backup childcare is not available, a faculty member should take earned leave and arrange for someone else to cover the class, not bring a sick child into the classroom," the statement said.

It added: "A faculty member's conduct in the classroom must be professional. Faculty may maintain a focus on professional responsibilities in the classroom by taking advantage of the options the university provides, including reasonable break times, private areas for nursing mothers to express milk, and leave in the case of a sick child."

The university also said Pine's essay "does not reflect professional conduct," as officials took issue with her characterizations of American University students.

In her fourth year at AU, Pine continues to teach, the university said. Go here for photos.