K.S.
As everyone else has already said, the only way to respond to someone's post directly is to send a PM. If you want to post something publicly, the only way to do that is by updating your original post or under "What's Happening".
Like Success mentioned, I think being able to reply directly to a post would be great. The mods don't seem to think so. It would be wonderful if they paid more attention & maybe even posted something themselves explaining their reasons for not wanting a change. I've asked & all I ever get is some run around about Mamapedia being a place where Moms can get advice & recommendations from other moms. The format will not change. The powers that be don't want it-regardless of what the members want.