Should I Inform Parents I Breastfeed?

[Blackcat31]

see I think that if a parent is that concerned about the possibility, THEY should speak up before enrollment. Even if the provider is not nursing an infant, other moms could come in and nurse at many places so if a parent is that concerned, they need to speak up. I have nursed four kids here and no daycare child has ever seen my breast and I do not cover either. but it is very easy and simple to do something discreetly without having to be covered. really, the kids never care or talk about it anyway.

I do agree that part of the responsibility should fall on the parents but I also know that a lot of parents don't know what things to ask and that a lot of things we consider appropriate are things parents might not so they don't think to even ask since they assume. kwim?

Just like the shower thread....do parents ask if you shower during the day at the interview or do they just assume that isn't something you would do.

Personally, I feel that if we, as the provider, are the one doing something that could be controversial, WE should be the ones to bring it up.

[cheerfuldom]

I do agree that part of the responsibility should fall on the parents but I also know that a lot of parents don't know what things to ask and that a lot of things we consider appropriate are things parents might not so they don't think to even ask since they assume. kwim?

Just like the shower thread....do parents ask if you shower during the day at the interview or do they just assume that isn't something you would do.

Personally, I feel that if we, as the provider, are the one doing something that could be controversial, WE should be the ones to bring it up.

That is too exhausting for me although I totally support others feeling differently. There are too many things that parents out there feel strongly about, there is no way I can address every single one at interviews.....we all know that parents are majorly upset about a huge variety of things that are not on our radars and I cannot bear the burden of addressing every single thing. I personally feel it is the parents responsibility just as much as a provider to communicate needs and expectations. if someone was to get upset about my breastfeeding and threaten to term, I am okay with that. I just am not going to worry about saying all of the possible things that may come up in the future and remember to talk about all of those at interview. I do cover the big things, like payments and such, at interview but other than that, I work with parents that have a trust in me. Either you can trust my judgment or you cant. This way, we don't even have to discuss random things like "what if a kid vomits on me, are you okay if i jump into the shower in case of emergency". We get to know each other and build a trust. I work with a small group and that is one of the reasons why. It has worked well for me! now for those of you that have strict licensing, large groups, multiple employees, obviously the things that I do may not work for you.

[Leanna]

Personally if I sent my child to a provider with a young infant I would assume she was nursing. I would hope that my child would witness warm, loving exchanges between the provider and her infant (whether bottle or breast feeding). If my child had questions, I would expect the provider to answer in an honest, child-friendly way. If I didn't trust in these things, I wouldn't send my child there.

[Starburst]

I absolutely agree. But that isn't your choice to make.

Since OP doesn't plan on covering up, she has an obligation to tell her daycare parents. The daycare parents can choose what, if anything they want to do with that info.

I actually agree. If you covered I would say "if they don't ask you don't have to tell" but as a parent they do have a right to at least be aware of what their children will be seeing on a daily basis.