Question for Providers that Breastfeed

[mamamanda]

If you nurse your baby during daycare hours, do you need to have that written in your handbook somewhere or do you just do it without saying anything? I have a friend who is weirded out by her daughter being in the room with me when I breastfeed my infant. I am modest about it usually with a cover over us and if not a cover, I have a blanket pulled so that you can't see anything. I just didn't know how to address that with potential clients as I'm getting ready to start interviewing. Thank you.

[EchoMom]

I'm legally unlicensed and only have young children - all 3 and under. I don't take older children, partly Brevard of this reason. I nurse my infant and don't use a cover or anything. The kids are too little to pay attention and my shirt and baby cover most everything. I don't divulge any personal info at interviews. I have an infant and work at home so it should go without saying I'm probably going to nurse. If a parent didn't like it, then it's not a good fit and they should go elsewhere.

[Controlled Chaos]

I nursed 2 babies while doing daycare. I never used a cover. I often wore 2 shirts (tank under a regular one) so I could pull one up and one down. I had children as old as 4. I never discussed it with parents. I honestly didn't think it was their business. I read books, supervised crafts etc while nursing so it didn't take away my attention from the children. I only had a parent bring it up twice. Once to remark how impressed they were I could walk and nurse as I would often walk around the play room while nursing. And once when a dcm made a reference to her 4 yo asking if his mom had nursed him. I think the best way to make kids not care, it to not make a big deal about it.

[Second Home]

I nursed one of my kids when doing child care , I never said anything to parents . I either covered with a light sheet type cloth or swiveled my chair so I could see the kids but the could not really see what I was doing .

[safechner]

I do still nurse my son at my daycare but I cover up. I just let parents know that I breastfeed and they dont have any problem with that.

[Play Care]

I nursed 2 babies while doing daycare. I never used a cover. I often wore 2 shirts (tank under a regular one) so I could pull one up and one down. I had children as old as 4. I never discussed it with parents. I honestly didn't think it was their business. I read books, supervised crafts etc while nursing so it didn't take away my attention from the children. I only had a parent bring it up twice. Once to remark how impressed they were I could walk and nurse as I would often walk around the play room while nursing. And once when a dcm made a reference to her 4 yo asking if his mom had nursed him. I think the best way to make kids not care, it to not make a big deal about it.

This. You are feeding your baby, not giving a show.
I did make it so I wasn't nursing when parents picked up, but I also make sure I'm not giving bottles at that time, too. I just like to be able to talk to parents without having to multitask if it's possible. But other than that, if baby needs to be fed, baby gets fed.

[Mamaof5littlerugrats]

I find it so sad that this is even a thought in anyone's mind or needs any discussion. I breastfeed and have nursed all 5 of min for 2+years...so have all women since the beginning of time unless you consider the last 50-60 years or so. I would never accept a child whose parents had an issue with it honestly.
No cover. It's not something I would ever hide in front of anyone.