Although I have already responded privately to the person who wanted ideas
about conferences (good, bad, ugly, etc), I feel the need (as a frequently
conference speaker) to speak up on the issue of babies at conferences.

I AGREE that our conferences should be baby-friendly.

I also AGREE that it is a real shame when a baby becomes so disruptive
(with happy or sad noises) that other paying participants cannot hear.
(Only once as a speaker was the noise so loud I could not speak OVER
it--even with a mike. At that point, I simply stopped and waited until the
offenders left the room. And, yes, I have continued to speak with a curious
toddler riding one hip while I went on with the presentation.)

This issue is relatively easily resolved IF the conference planners will
take the responsibility for riding herd on (checking noise level) of the
room when children/babies are prsent.   In most cases, fully breastfed
babies under 7-9 months are rarely a problem. Mostly, they tend to sleep
and coo and get passed around to those willing (and wanting) to experience
prolactin surges (again!).

It tends to be older babies who get REALLY rambunctious and UNHAPPY about
having to sit/lie in the same old place all day long.  When you think about
it from their perspective, it makes sense. Would YOU want to see the bottom
of the same table or chair all day long with that boring voice from on high
booming out at you?  I think not.

My point is if you have an announcement in the flyer about the availability
of quiet room/toddler play area, etc. AND you make announcemtn at beginning
of sessions about meeting the needs of babies (happy or sad ones) AND you
periodically do a "soundcheck" yourself (which means you have to have the
ovaries to ask someone to step outside briefly if her baby is NOT being
attended to), then you will have a conference where most everyone stays
happy.

It is sad, but true, that mothers are sometimes the last to notice that
even happy baby sounds can be disruptive.  Worse than loud burps and belly
laughs are those noisy toys that some people bring. Suggesting quiet ones
can be a real godsend if you have the space in your conference flyer to
mention it.

PS I love when babies are present. They make the BEST visual aids
(particularly if under 3 months and willing to breastfeed anywhere without
whipping off without even a moment's notice with a milky grin at the
speaker who is trying to explain something to the audience!)  :-)

Good luck in planning your conference.

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"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly
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Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC (Ferndale, WA USA) [log in to unmask]
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