I need some suggestions for an awkward situation. Our community based
breastfeeding support group is training up 5 new volunteer mums to take
turns on a Helpline phone. The requirements are fulfilling the 6 session
evening training course and attending as many monthly meetings as possible.
At the information night we stressed that we were very much supportive of
toddlers/babies coming to these monthly meetings but we suggested that mums
may find it difficult through the training course. With such little time to
cover a lot of information we informed that there is  the need to remain
focused and take notes and we left it at that-the mother’s discretion.  At
the information night only one mum brought her toddler and she later
resigned before the course started because it was too difficult for her to
organise a babysitter and she felt it would be too distracting to bring her
daughter-for her and for the others. 
Come the first session  2 of the mums brought their 15 month olds and while
both monitored them well neither were able to take notes and the group as a
whole was distracted by their tired tears and general noise.  
The other leader and myself are really struggling with what to do in this
situation. We feel that asking the mums to leave their toddlers at home
undermines everything we believe in but the reality is that it is
distracting and slowing down the rest of the group, including the mums
themselves. 
Can I ask for people to share their experiences and suggestions with us? 
Organising child care is probably the logical solution but we are hindered
by the fact we are doing this in my home. My kids are sleeping upstairs
leaving the kitchen as the only separate space downstairs and that isn't
really very practical.
We cannot afford another venue because the fact of life here is there is no
community space to rent free/low cost. The only other option is hiring a
hotel meeting room but the cost is phenomenal. The lack of community spaces
here is a real problem. 
Any suggestions greatly appreciated because we feel so uncomfortable even
identifying this as a problem area-it really does go against everything we
stand for.
Meg Kingsley IBCLC
Dubai UAE

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