Daycare Mom Breastfeeding At Your Daycare Home?

[momma2girls]

Oh, facing the corner is totally optional for the mom. I was offering that as an alternative in case the mom felt the sofa wasn't private enough. I also did it in public with a draped blanket but I never went to a restroom. I just think public restrooms are unsanitary and since I wouldn't eat in one, I don't want my babies to eat in one either ::



The daycare center that I took my children to was right across the street from where I worked at the time. I made sure to ask about nursing my baby on the premises before I signed the contract and they said no problem. They even put a rocking chair in a closet for me so that I could have some privacy.

Regardless of a center's true feelings about bf'ing, I think that most would allow it out of fear of legal action if they said no. They may try to discourage it but I doubt they would come right out and say no or have a written policy prohibiting it.

This is true!!

[kendallina]

Here is a question for everyone- Do large facilities/preschools allow breast feeding mothers at all hrs. of the day breastfeeding their children? I am just curious!! I think it would be interesting to find out if they allow this all day.

Yes, they do. Some even provide a separate room.

[Holiday Park]

I nursed my son (coveted by my shirt jacket and facing mote away from the kids) in a day care center . A parent complained so the two directors/owners told me I was not allowed to nurse him in front of anyone (had to go in a empty day care room or their bathroom , or my older son (he went their for after school) would be kicked out because the other parents concern was more important . I was so upset that I didn't think anyone would care to help me. I was angry and after that week ended, I ended up removing my son from that daycare. I should have called the local news. Because when i tried telling them about my legal rights they told me they didn't care and that was when they threatened to terminate care with my son to please the other parent.
I am very pro breast feeding now and pro public breast feeding cover or NO cover. If any parent had an issue with me nursing my own child or with another parent nursing their child in my home, They would be shown the door and care would be ended immediately . I'm sending out handbooks tonight (email) and I think it will be a good idea to mention this upfront so potential new clients are aware on my stance with this . That if they have a problem with nursing a child , they are not a good fit here.
One of my clients just the other day came to pick up dcg . Normally her dad picks her up. So seeing mom she started grabbing at her shirt and wanting to nurse . She told her no and "because they were in public" I said she was more than welcome to sit on the couch and nurse her before they left, but she declined. I can see her not wanting to because she just wanted to hurry home after a long day of work. But don't call my house "in public" as if nursing "in public" is a bad thing.

[Scout]

I also nursed my son a couple of times at my providers house, right on her couch. I was completely covered up & this was only when he didn't eat well before we left but, seemed to want to eat then!

[lolaland]

I have a separate room with an improvised couch/mattress for one of my mothers to use everyday to bf behind closed door at pick up time.

[snips&snails]

Breastfeeding is best for babies, it is in my policies that I am happy to work with you...in California mothers may legally breastfeed anywhere, idk about your state laws but that is something to consider.
BUT I wouldn't offer my bedroom - the sofa is fine, use a blanket if shy but I don't require it. Children aren't bothered although a few may be curious at first...people love to watch puppies & kittens nurse, so why should babies be a problem??

[Twinvillageiowa]

I have fathers coming in and mothers who would be very offended. ALso have Grandparents once in a while drop off and pick up, who would be very offended by this!!

Then you have some very closed minded families. Breasts are for food, not to be lusted after. People who view breastfeeding in a sexual light are the ones with a problem, not the nursing mom.

[Twinvillageiowa]

I'd like to add that if I had a parent that was uncomfortable with walking in and seeing that or didn't want their children to see it - I'd likely consider it to be a bad match. And yes it is THAT big of a deal breaker for me.

When my dd was 3 months old I was doing daycare and during interviews I made it clear that was exclusively bfeeding and that her children would be "exposed" to "it" <roll eyes>
And my parents were fine with it. And if they weren't - they didn't have to sign up.

i see it like I see my wood stove. I had a parent that didn't like it. Didn't like the smell. and brought it up several times as though I was going to suddenly change the way that I heat my home. I clearly told him. The wood stove is part of the house - if the house doesn't work for you then this might not be a good match for us"
Breastfeeding is a natural part of life and I expect it will be taking place in and around my home for years to come and if you don't like it this house is not a good match for you.

I pink sparkly heart love you!

[Twinvillageiowa]

I would personally have to tell them to get over it. If they are so closeminded and judgmental,.. they dont deserve me. I truly think the words would be,.. well Im sorry you feel that way but Mrs nurser is welcome to do so in my home, Is welcome to do so in my yard, and if anyone has an issue with it they can find care elsewhere. Shes not stripping on a pole, she is giving her child food that was intended for a human baby. She is naturally feeding her child. Thats what breasts were intended to do. She isnt exposing herself to the world in an exposition of flesh,... she is feeding her child in a way nature intended. Covered modestly,.. in good taste. Do you really have a problem with that? then the stare.... that quiet uncomfortable stare.

personally when I was nursing my 12 yr old, we had a friend who would get up and leave the room when I nursed in my own home. He couldnt believe I did that "right out in the open" In the same room as prople. I flat told him,... the only time you have a problem with breasts is when they are doing what nature intended? Get over yourself. He suggested I go to a bathroom,... I refused, saying that when he ate on the pot I would consider it and until then he could either lose his closemindedness or get the bleep out of my home. He refused to allow his wife to nurse saying it was disgusting and unnatural. (we are no longer friends) . Gee,.. dont really miss him.

You also rock! I only watch a max of two kids but breastfeeding is ALWAYS welcome here! I had one mom who used to pump in my living room every day before she left. I nursed my twins until 37 months.

[cheerfuldom]

I know this is an old thread but it seems like most people missed the original point....it isnt a debate about whether BFing is good or bad, or should be done in public or private....the original point was the OP asking if she should continue offering up her OWN bedroom for a breastfeeding mom. I dont think that is at all necessary nor would I recommend it. Providers that use their entire home, every bedroom and every bathroom, for daycare use generally burn out faster than those that maintain their boundaries and privacy. I would recommend that a provider NOT offer up their own bedroom for a nursing mom.

For me, all the families that I work with are within 10 minutes of my home. While I am pro BFing, there is no reason why they cannot nurse before they get here or nurse when they get home. Having a person sitting in your home or playroom can turn into a stressful situation, especially if they want to nurse outside of your business hours. I personally dont allow moms to come on their lunch breaks. That doesnt work for me at all and the disruption for my setup gets old fast.

[Twinvillageiowa]

I tend to agree with most of you on most issues but there have been a lot of really offensive things said here. Do you really think babies are supposed to eat formula? What to other mammals do? They nurse! Women's bodies are designed for breastfeeding. There is no reason to cover because breasts are not sexual when feeding a baby! I'd you want me to cover while nursing, you dang well better cover while bottle feeding!

[MamaG]

I would never let parents in my personal rooms like our bed rooms. She can either drape a blanket over herself and sit in the day care room like everyone else or do it in the car or go home. I close and nobody is welcome for any reason to stay and 'hang out' for any reason during my family time.

[Twinvillageiowa]

I would never let parents in my personal rooms like our bed rooms. She can either drape a blanket over herself and sit in the day care room like everyone else or do it in the car or go home. I close and nobody is welcome for any reason to stay and 'hang out' for any reason during my family time.

But by making her cover, you are sexualizing her breasts. Would you make your husband or sun cover with a shirt at all times?

[Hazel]

If the mom feels she needs a private place to BF then she should do it in the privacy of her own home. I would allow a mom to sit on my sofa or at the kitchen table if she needed to nurse, but I don't allow people in my bedrooms. You have to draw the line somewhere! I understand why your DH was annoyed.. My DH doesn't even like it when I need to put a crib in our room, even for a short time! I already have people in my playroom (formerly my large living room) walking thru my sitting room (formerly my small dining room), my kitchen AND my bathroom... You have to draw the line.
Just offer her the sofa, and if she needs privacy, offer her a blanket. Closed minded people GENERALLY don't LIKE it, but they don't kick up a huge fuss.. Not enough to pull their kids.

[MamaG]

But by making her cover, you are sexualizing her breasts. Would you make your husband or sun cover with a shirt at all times?

When day care is open yes. And if asking someone to respect modesty in my home is sexualizeing breasts then so be it. I don't need to do anything it has already been done. My house my rules, don't like it go home.