Academic conference with 3.5-month-old

[batsister]

Hi, everyone.

I am a PhD student in biology, and in a couple of weeks I will be attending an academic conference with my son, who is 3 months old. There is still a slight chance my husband will come with us, but it will probably be just my son and me.

I am giving a talk, but it is only 15 minutes long, so I don't think I'll have trouble getting a friend to hold/watch him for those 15 minutes. Other than that, I don't plan on using any childcare; just keeping him in the sling/mei tai as he sleeps/hangs out and obviously ducking out of sessions if he gets/is about to get noisy. It is a pretty casual conference, and we are staying in the hotel where the conf is (in Portland, OR). I will also be flying from DC to Oregon (and back, of course) alone with my son (if husband doesn't come). Any general tips from those who have taken babies to conferences? Is taking a stroller worth the trouble of dragging it through the airport? Is there anything in particular I should bring/be prepared for etc. that I might be forgetting?

Thank you.

[mrforbes]

I wouldn't bring a stroller - but that's just me. My DS is always happier on me than looking at me. I think that's a great age to go to a conference, especially if they are casual about you having the babe with you during the conference. I've been to a few academic things with DS throughout his life (he's now almost 15 months) but I do always give the conference organizers a heads up that I'm coming with a baby.

I would let them know you are bringing the baby and your plans for the baby just they are informed and not suprised or anything. I would also bring a nice cushy blanket in case you want to lay the baby down for tummy time or general hanging out while at presentations and panels, meals etc..

Have fun!

[annekevdbroek]

Well, I rarely use a stroller at home but I find them handier for travel. In the airport you may have a carry-on or two (purse, diaper bag, your carry-on), tickets, papers, and baby to keep track of. I have found it easier to manage all that stuff with a stroller - even if I only dump the bags in it and carry the kiddo.

[SantaCruzDoula]

Hey there,

I attended a grad-school-related conference with my 6-week old, and again when he was 8 months. Definitely tell people you will be bringing your baby and that you will need a space to nurse. Whether or not you use that space is up to you, but it may be nice to know there is a quiet, secluded space where you can both focus on nursing.

If you are used to babywearing, don't bother with a stroller. On our way home last time, I didn't even have to remove DS from the Moby when going through security. It was pretty easy.

Hopefully your DH can come with you, and let you focus on the conference a little! Good luck.

[batsister]

Thank you for the replies. It had not occurred to me to let anyone know I was bringing a baby. I kind of figured that as long as I don't let him disrupt the sessions (i.e., take him out of the room before this happens), it wouldn't be a problem. The conference is comprised of 15-minute talks in concurrent sessions, so there will be a lot of coming and going between rooms by everyone anyhow. I figured I'd just nurse him in the sling and/or find a quiet spot at the hotel (or, if really necessary, go up to our hotel room for a bit), but thanks for the tip re: having a quiet place to nurse.

Thanks also for your suggestions re: a stroller... I am still undecided, but am leaning towards just using baby carriers.

[pumpkin]

Do be sure to check the conference materials before you go. I've been to a few that were very specific that only registered attendees would be allowed in sessions and that prohibition against guests applied to all ages.

[Carita]

depends what kind of biology, but all the bio conferences I have been to would be absolutely okay for taking a baby to - if they offer childcare, that is a good indication. When DS was about 2 mo, I took him to an academic conference that was clear about no kids allowed, and I coughed up the $ to bring DH with me. I took him to another conference when he was 22 mo, and they had childcare, but I was still nursing DH, and brought him to banquets. People were cool with it for the most part BUT

I would see if one of your collegues could be an occasional babysitter for you. For me, there are 2 great things about conferences - to hear talks that you need to in your area to know what is going on and to meet with and network with people. You might find that your baby needs some quieting down at THAT session that you really needed to attend, and exactly when that one person is interested in your work and wants to ask you questions - especially if you are presenting a poster. So I would see if one of your colleagues could sit for you just for the really important 2-3 talks that you just can't miss.

No stroller IMO - it'll just get in the way.

[batsister]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. This a bat meeting, and while I haven't seen many kids at it in the past, it really is pretty casual, and I can't imagine that having a (quiet) baby there would be a problem (though you never know for sure, I guess). That is a good idea about asking someone to at least be available to watch him during must-see talks. Since I'll need to ask someone to watch him during my talk, I can ask them if they could watch him a few other times as well (assuming my husband doesn't come with us).

Back to work on my presentation now... thanks again, everyone!

[kaybee]

If it's any help at all... I just got home from a conference in Portland (where there were lots of babies in attendance, although my kids stayed home this time). I found Portland was really easy to get around with public transportation and very kid friendly (I got to hang out with other people's babies this time!).

With strollers and travelling - I like to have them in the airport to haul carseats, diaper bags, etc. around, but I usually just carried baby with me. If you don't need a carseat and plan to just use public transportation, then just bring a sling and save yourself the trouble.

Good luck with your trip, and I hope the conference goes well!

[physmom]

I've definitely BTDT. DD's been with me to conferences at 3 months and 8 months. She's even come to work with me a few times on occassion when I've had meetings with my boss. I'm not sure how involved you'll expected to be at the conference but for me child care was a must (otherwise it was impossible to ask questions etc.). Plus DD has always been fairly high needs so taking her, even in a carrier, wouldn't have worked at all. Even the easiest babies have their moments so I'd definitely suggest having at least some back-up childcare if possible. Hopefully your DH can come, I think it would be a lot let stressful for you if that would be possible...

Also, I'd bring a pump just in case your son goes nuts during your talk or a must see talk. I had that problem and it wasn't pretty!! Also, is there a conference dinner or something? If you plan on going maybe try to encourage your son to take naps so he'll be ok with that.

Oh, and pack some new toys for the trip to keep him entertained!!

Skip the stroller, it's soooo much easier without one going through security.

[Carita]

GL!! We have a good bat guy in our dept and I see him lined up on the talks list. Enjoy the conference!