Office babies

I have taken my daughter when she was about 8 months to work with me for a whole shift usually no more than 6 hours. She would sit in her excersaucer and in my lap. She would have snacks, play with her toys and or sit in her walker. I usually brought her to work once a week. All of my children at some point have come to work with me for at least a few hours for various reasons. Fortunately my employer was ok with it nine years ago and still is. At my place of employment I have seen many babies at work with their mommys but usually not for 8 hours a day everyday. I know when my kids are at work with me maybe in the office behind me watching a movie it makes me comfortable and more focused because they are so close to me.

Jennifer is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com and mommy to four beautiful girls who range from 9 to 4 years of age.

When my second son was 4 months old, I had to bring him to work for a few hours. It was a perfect storm where my husband was traveling, my regular day care was closed, the firm's back-up day care was full in the infant room, and I had a training that I really needed to help coordinate. I had a new boss, who was fortunately very understanding. I was able to keep him in my office, asleep in his stroller, most of the time, and when I absolutely had to be in the training room for about 15 minutes, I found a baby-crazy co-worker to push him around the building lobby! It was nice to be able to find a solution, and nice to work with him close by, but also distracting. At that stage, everyone wanted to stop by to see the baby!

The back-up day care I mentioned above was absolutely the best benefit I had at my old firm in Minneapolis. Their clients were large, downtown companies that wanted to offer their employees a day care alternative when their regular providers were unavailable. I think I could use it 20 times a year for $10.00 a time. It was great to not miss work because my provider or her kids were sick or on vacation, and I also had my kids close by and could take them out for lunch.

GopherGirl

I rarely have worked in an environment where this was possible, though once I did bring my infant daughter to work at a past employer for a few hours when her sitter was sick. I brought her porta-crib but she spent no more than a few minutes in it. My co-workers carried her around and played with her off the entire time. I got plenty of work done, but they didn't!

I think it's great to have the flexibility to bring in babies when all the circumstances work out. It helps mom or dad get some work done and fill in those hours when day care just isn't working out. Flexible work arrangements are key to good parenting and smart employers know this.

Susan & Neil Hampton have three spectacular children, Alexander, Isabel and David, plus one amazing teenager, Eric. Susan does community outreach for arizonamoms.com.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” - Margaret Atwood

I would have loved this, but the job I had at The Republic before my son was born wouldn't have meshed well with it. One thing that I wish more employers had was on site daycare so that mommies who wish to nurse or see their babies throughout the day couldf. I think that might have made the difference on whether or not I stayed.

When my son was born 3 1/2 years ago, I worked in a government office who had a breastfeeding policy. Provided your specific job/supervisor allowed it, you could bring your baby to work for the first six months of their life so that you could breastfeed. I was not able to take advantage of it, however, as I had serious supply issues and had to give up my attempts at breastfeeding prior to returning to work from my maternity leave. Looking back, I'm not sure it would've worked well for me anyways. My son never slept a lot, and has always been somewhat high-needs, and I'm sure I would've been anything but efficient at work. That being said, I know other women who took advantage of the program, and had no problems. I think it can be a great thing; especially for those of us who have to go back to work as soon as our maternity leave is up, it's a great way for mom to bond with her new baby, as well as breastfeed (pumping isn't for everybody).

I like the idea of company daycare; how wonderful to have your child close by where you could go feed them and spend a bit of time with them throughout the day!

I took my daughter to work when she was sick at about 9 months old, and she hated it. My work is not baby friendly. It was hard. She's better off at daycare for me, and for her. She can play, have attention she wants, and not have to worry about being quiet.

Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette

I wouldn't mind if other parents brought children to work but I personally wouldn't want to. When I'm working, I want to work and that's all - I think moms already juggle enough as it is.

Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.

This would not work with my daughter. Not now nor when she was a baby. She has always been very socially active and would distract either me or my coworkers or all of us.

As a boss.....and mom, I couldn't support someone bringing a child to work regularly. I can understand emergencies and the need every now and then. Children, however cute they are, cause too much of a distruption.

Mom of teenage boys!