Program allows mothers to bring babies to work
Photo
Becky Suehring works at a computer with her 4-month-old daughter, Morgan, on her lap. Suehring is a registered dietitian who works for Nutrition and Health Associates in Janesville.
JANESVILLE — Four-month-old Morgan Suehring was snug in the lap of her mother, Becky, who typed with her arms around the smiling, quiet baby.
After big smiles and a little squirming, it was time to change Morgan’s diaper on the floor.
It was a typical day at the office for Becky Suehring, a registered dietician at Nutrition and Health Associates in Janesville.
The pair are the first to take advantage of the new “Baby to Work” program implemented in February at Nutrition and Health Associates, a nonprofit organization that advocates for maternal and child nutrition and health.
The program allows staff to bring their babies to work until they are 6 months old or crawling, whichever is first.
The program has given Suehring more time with her baby after an eight-week maternity leave.
“It’s just given me time to help her adapt and for me to adapt to being back,” she said, as the blue-eyed, pink-overalls-clad Morgan giggled in her lap.
The nonprofit pursued the program because it is Rock County’s WIC Program provider and a strong promoter of breastfeeding, said Sue Stein, Nutrition and Health Associates executive director.
“It is much easier for mothers to continue breastfeeding their babies if they can bring them to work,” she said. “Many mothers stop nursing before they actually want to because of difficulties maintaining a milk supply after returning to work.”
The program lets staff practice what they preach about breastfeeding.
Breastfed babies can be difficult to feed with a bottle, and Morgan is a good example, Suehring said.
“It’s comforting to me to have her because I know we’re not struggling with feedings, and it’s good for her because she continues to grow very well and she’s eating wonderfully,” she said.
During Suehring’s pregnancy, she planned to be a discreet breastfeeder.
In reality, “The fact of the matter is, when a baby’s hungry, she’s hungry,” she said.
She asks permission from clients to breastfeed while they talk, and everyone has been supportive and positive.
“I’ve just had such a good response to that,” she said. “When we’re promoting breastfeeding and the benefits of it, for me to be able to do it in front of people and just kind of see that I can do my computer, type with one hand while my baby is feeding—it’s just neat to see you’re not as strapped down as sometimes people feel like you can be.”
She admitted that changing diapers can cut into productivity.
“In other aspects, you’re more productive because when she does take a nap, you kind of seize that time,” she said.
When the time comes to send Morgan to day care full time, Suehring doesn’t plan on the tears most mothers face because the pair have slowly adjusted to such a plan.
Another employee out on maternity leave, Kristin King, plans to bring her baby, Chase, to work next month.
“It’s a smart way to keep valuable staff working,” Stein said. “We know it’s a traumatic period, and we hate for new mothers to be separated from their children during that time. In fact, it’s lifted up the productivity here because it allows mothers to return to work who might have chosen to stay at home longer.”
Having a baby around the office also has brought fun, Suehring said.
“People smile when she’s here,” she said. “It has brought a certain amount of joy here.”
BABY TO WORK
Businesses and mothers interested in starting a Baby to Work program should consider these needs:
-- A supportive environment. Make sure at least a couple people at the business are willing to help and support the mother and that others are comfortable having a baby in the workplace.
“If people here weren’t supportive, I would be flustered,” said Becky Suehring, who has brought her 4-month-old daughter to work at Nutrition and Health Associates the last couple months.
-- Backup. If the mother needs to do other tasks without the baby or tend to the baby, someone has to be able to watch the baby or fill in at the mom’s post.
“There has to be a backup person there that can give me a 15 to 20 minute break so I can feed her,” Suehring said.
-- A quiet area for the baby to nap.
-- Child care alternatives. For Suehring, it’s either calling up the day care and dropping the baby off for a while or calling her husband, Shane, who is a teacher with the summer off to come pick up their baby if needed.
“That’s comforting,” she said.
Sep 13, 2009 at 12:14 p.m.
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I think this is wonderful! The future of our country is in the hands of the children we raise. I think if we gave as much concern and passion to the nurturing and best interests of our children as some people do to protecting every last penny of their tax dollars (with no concern at all to the billions we spend on violence) we would all be better off.
Sep 13, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.
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I'm glad mom is not a welder!
Perhaps what we need is a good, tax-payer funded all-day kindergarten (with wet nurses, of course) for infants six-months and older so that these new mothers are not bothered by all these baby care needs and can focus on their no-profit jobs!
I know I would probably patronize (is that the right word?) a business that supported open breast-feeding! Viva La Leche League!
Sep 8, 2009 at 4:41 p.m.
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Excellent story!
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It's so sad though that there are people who just HAVE to bring negativity to every story, even such as this that is all about promoting breastfeeding, happy work environments, and bonding with your baby.
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Of COURSE the Baby to Work program wouldn't work at every company. That certainly doesn't mean that no one should offer it. And to whomever said that it's not very realistic for her to nurse her baby and talk to clients...I think her job is PERFECT for doing just that. She is talking about nutrition and no doubt promoting breastfeeding, do you think she should prop a bottle in the carseat while she talks to her clients instead?
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Again, love this story and love even more that this is happening locally. It's great to see breastfeeding & the value of newborn/parent bonding being uplifted in Janesville.
Sep 6, 2009 at 2:13 p.m.
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Two words.... Planned Parenthood
Sep 5, 2009 at 3:24 p.m.
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This is really neat and I think businesses should really be receptive to the idea. I had my son back in 1984 and the wonderful company that I worked for allowed me to bring him in to work whenever necessary. To me it benefits everyone
Sep 5, 2009 at 1:44 p.m.
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And to employers out there--I would frequent a business even more and maybe exclusively if I knew they did this for their employees. I know a large group of people that would do the same!!
Sep 5, 2009 at 1:39 p.m.
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I swear some people must just like to be difficult. Of course, this wouldn't work in all workplaces. If it can work and the employer supports then every parent should take advantage of this. It doesn't matter how great a daycare is it will NEVER NEVER replace the love and care of a parent. Babies NEED their parents and if that means they go to work with them--that is wonderful!! How anyone can find fault with that is beyond me! Shane is a teacher at my son's school--I can't wait to tell him how proud I am that they are doing this!!
Sep 5, 2009 at 11:47 a.m.
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This is a neat idea but as gary mentioned this wouldnt work for all environments.
Sep 5, 2009 at 11:13 a.m.
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Wow! You can tell all of that from a picture? I was asking a general question, not a specific one. Workplaces vary. It is a fair and reasonable question.
Sep 5, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.
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I find this ridiculous..Women can pump milk to be fed to their babies (by a care-giver)..Even as a mother I see that this would be one heck of a distraction.
Sep 5, 2009 at 9:36 a.m.
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This isn't the European Union, and more mothers than not work by the hour as opposed to being salaried, in this area.
Don't knock daycare centers. Plenty of good, wholesome providers out there.
Yes, I know good daycare isn't cheap. You get what you pay for. But a parent that works shift hours on some production floor can't very well let the baby tag along, now can she/he?
Sep 5, 2009 at 9:26 a.m.
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Garyprimer- the baby looks very healthy and happy. All she cares about is that she is with her mother- the office is not stressing her out.
I'm guessing you haven;t ever seen an infant dropped off at a center- they kick, scream, and want their moms back. I think if you asked the baby, she'd rather be at work with Mom than at a center with a low paid stranger.
Sep 5, 2009 at 9:23 a.m.
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Wegonsin- In the EU. most countries allow a mother a YEAR off with PAID leave.
In most professional jobs, this type of maternity leave- 2 to 3 months- is standard. Not only for the care of the infant but for the health of the mother. I don;t know if you have ever cared for an infant, but they require frequent night attention and you pretty much only get 2-3 hours of sleep a stretch for the first few months. Not many people can pull that off and be productive at work.
I think this is a great idea. If anything it brings awareness to how many mothers are in the workforce, how irreplaceable and valuable a mother's work is, and the high cost of daycare.
Sep 5, 2009 at 9:21 a.m.
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Is a workplace a good environment for a baby?
Sep 5, 2009 at 9:02 a.m.
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So, she gets EIGHT WEEKS off on maternity leave?
Then she brings her baby to work and breastfeeds while she's talking to clients?
How realistic is this idea? I mean, come on.
Just because two or three people don't mind the sound of a newborn baby crying in the backround as they try to accomplish a days work doesn't mean EVERYONE is comfortable with it.
If the company you work for can afford to give you EIGHT WEEKS off on maternity leave, well think about it this way.... Your making enough salary to afford a daycare program.
In the REAL WORLD, the one in which not every mother works behind a comfy desk but rather works on a factory floor,this whole idea is utterly and completely devoid of reason.
Sep 4, 2009 at 11:56 p.m.
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BTW, I know dads don't breastfeed--duh!! But, there is still a bond that is there and it's better than the baby going to daycare!
Sep 4, 2009 at 11:55 p.m.
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I LOVE this!!! How wonderful. Do they offer the same support for dads who need to take care of their baby?
Sep 4, 2009 at 8:39 p.m.
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Wow, I might be the only one who disagrees with this.
Sep 4, 2009 at 8 p.m.
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Wonderful article! Thank you so much for sharing, and for being a breastfeeding advocate. There is no better promoter than seeing it done right in front of your face. Keep up the good work Nutrition and Health Associates and Morgan and Becky!!!! :) :)
Sep 4, 2009 at 7:17 p.m.
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Nice positive article. Good to hear so many people are supportive of her baby's presence at work. Not only is breastfeeding best for baby, but it also is linked to help mothers shrink faster to their pre pregnancy figure. Many people think breastfeeding in public is offensive and forces mothers to be worried about how discreet to be, but as Becky says, when your baby is hungry, she's hungry. Who cares if people don't like it, they don't have to look. And the people who don't mind, obviously understand that the breasts job is to feed our offspring. Great story~!
Sep 4, 2009 at 6:45 p.m.
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Great story. I wish my four month old would let me type and hold him! As far as mom's who might pump and use a bottle, try Dr. Brown's bottles. Our little guy wouldn't take any other brand, but Dr. Brown's. Continued good fortunes with your job and your adorable little girl.
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