In reply to Maureen's earlier discussion re: taking one's baby to work: In my past 8 years in a WIC office, I have had 3 babies(I have 5 altogether). The first two went to work with me (in office 1 day per week). They continued to do so until they were pretty mobile, and seemed more content 1 mile away with Grandma, with mom doing bf visits 1-2 times in a 6-8 hr. day. However, they continued to stay with me all day on the one day a month I teach breastfeeding class and conduct a bf support group....great modeling! They did this for 18 mos. or so. Baby #3 continued this way, until 2 months ago, at 9 1/2 mos. of age, when the WIC director and supervisor called me into a meeting and informed me that I could no longer bring my baby (in a sling) to work anymore. I stated that I was no longer bringing her on my "office" days, as in my tiny office there is no room to crawl about safely, but I still intended to bring her on class day, as I felt her influence is invaluable to my clients, many of whom have never seen a baby nursing before. They stated that, NO, she could not accompany me on class day, either. I asked if she created some kind of disturbance? (She is one of those angel babies who beams and coos quietly!) They said NO, but others in the agency (health department) were pregnant or may become pregnant, and they cannot allow them to bring their babies to work. (Some nurse, some do not) They stated that this would not be "fair". At the time, I was upset, tearful, and furious...I buried it for awhile, but after 8 weeks, it has re-surfaced. It was so painful for me at our last bf support group mtg. to sit there longing to nurse my own daughter while surrounded by other nursing moms I am supposed to be helping! I am not sure why I am posting...I guess I just need some feedback.. my clients and co-workers are all questioning"where's the baby?" I am not dealing well with this, and Maureen's comments just brought it all to the surface...help! Note: We just had our first BF coalition mtg. this week....same thing...some of my coalition moms brought their nursing babies. I could not. Sadly, Jennifer Kneuss, IBCLC Ohio *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html