There were no signs saying "No babies allowed," but that is exactly what attendees at the American Political Science's recent convention said they encountered when they tried to bring their infants with them.

Attendees with babies were barred from entering the exhibit hall at the APSA Annual Meeting in San Francisco this past weekend. Many took their frustration out on social media and on the association's website, saying the policy discriminated against parents who may have no other options but to bring their kids.

"I've wracked my brain trying to find one reasonable explanation why it would make sense to ban kids from the exhibition hall… and I've come up with - none," wrote one website commenter identifying herself as Annick Wibeen.

The publication Inside Higher Ed noted that two other organizations representing academic professionals—the American Sociological Association and Modern Language Association—allow infants in their exhibit halls. It also noted that a high percentage of people who attend such meetings are young Ph.D.s with children. http://bit.ly/1VL9B9N

Responding to the criticism, APSA issued a statement on its website explaining that it must carry insurance for large events, but that insurance doesn't cover children in the exhibit hall. The association pointed out that, as an alternative, it offered on-site child care and a "mother's room" for nursing.

"Event insurance does not cover children in an Exhibit Hall due to liability," APSA said. "We are committed to making the annual meeting as convenient as we can, but, unfortunately, this is not an area where we have flexibility."

That explanation didn't satisfy many people venting frustration on the association's website.

"So, our liability insurance allows for drinking in the exhibit hall but not children accompanied with an adult? I think drunk political scientists are probably more of an insurance risk than someone walking through with an infant/child," wrote one commenter identifying herself as Amanda Murdie.

APSA followed up its initial statement with a new one Sunday saying it was doing more research into the issue after receiving feedback from members.

"We recognize this is an important discussion, and will work as quickly as possible to come to a resolution," the group said. http://bit.ly/1VLbyTO

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