I love babies.  I think I am a staunch supporter of breastfeeding.  However,
I think babies and conferences do not go together well, nor easily. I know
this is an unpopular position, but here goes...

I attended our last regional conference.  I only took classes that provided
CEUs.  I know I would've been less distracted by the happy and sad baby
noises if the classes had been for families and not for "professional"
development. Some parents were very good about taking their vocal little one
out of the room. Even so, having someone, baby in arms, trying to squeeze
past me, was distracting.

I spent my own money to attend.  I paid extra to hear the keynote speaker.  I
purchased a few of the tapes for the classes that were the most difficult to
hear.  Unfortunately, those happy and sad baby noises made it onto the tape,
too!  The syllabus only contained information for the non-CEU classes, so
that didn't help either.

I can't imagine the mother with the crying or singing baby hears much of the
speaker's presentation.   There were rooms specifically set up of the
enjoyment of little ones. I don't suppose your average toddler cares about
the management of maternal endocrine disorders, suck assessments, or how to
teach breast self-exams. I think the average toddler would've enjoyed
exploring the room full of toys if given a choice!    If the baby isn't
interested in the subject, the mother can't pay full attention to the
speaker, and the other participants are disturbed, what's the point of
bringing the baby?

I agonized over attending a breastfeeding workshop ten years ago.  I was
appalled they didn't allow babies.  My husband brought the baby to me when he
wanted to nurse, otherwise they did things together or napped.  It worked
very well for us.  The baby got to make his happy (and sad) baby sounds, got
in some daddy time, and I got to attend the workshop that changed the
direction of my life.

There's my  radical two cents on the subject.  Okay, so let me have it...

Elizabeth