can I use this opportunity to educate?

[momtoS]

Here is my other thread, please tell me if there is something I can do to educate these employees about AP and breastfeeding?

Okay I had a bad experience that I don't want repeated, I told to someone about it but thought prehaps writing a letter would be a good idea too. I am not a good letter writer and don't want to start a fight over this situation, I just don't want it to happen again.

Here is the situation. I went to work out and left dd1 and dd2 in the playcenter (a service that you pay for) and the info I was given said that no child is left to cry more than `15 minutes. So I signed in and wrote where I was going to be. I stayed in this location and only left to shower. When I was getting dressed an employee came into the changeroom saying that dd2 (nine months old) was having a little bit of a hard time. (So I thought she was teary). Well I hurried up to the playcenter and she was SCREAMING. I nursed her and was so sad she was like this. I then found out that she screamed the 15 minutes, someone apparently went looking for me and couldn't find me?!?!?! then went upstairs and waited another 15 minutes and then the second lady found me drying off after the shower. So in total she screamed almost 40 minutes. WAY TOO LONG. So I would like the employees there to know it is absolutely fine to interrupt my workout if she is looking to nurse or if she is upset. I need to comfort her. She vomitted a couple times in the car on the way home from being so upset. I felt awful. I want to continue to work out but also want to know when my little one is upset. Can anyone help me write a letter that want get their knickers in a knot but can convey the importance of breastfeeding and comforting my little one? Thanks so much!

[amandaleigh37]

What about talking to them about the situation and next time you drop her off there, make it clear that you don't want her to cry more than (whatever time you set, 5 minutes, 10 minutes)... Tell them you were upset that they didn't get you sooner last time. I would even go so far as to put a name tag or pin a piece of paper to your little one that says "If I am crying, please go get my mommy!"

[lesley&grace]

From what you've said though...the employees have claimed to try to find you. So, basically they tried to to their job (finding you when it became obvious that your dd was too upset), but could not locate you. I have no idea why not, but it sounds to me like they tried to find you.

I don't think this is a matter of expressing to them the need to not let your dd cry.

I think this is a matter of trying to find another way to contact you if she does get upset. Are you able to use your cell phone (if you have one) so they can call you rather than try to locate you?

[moonfirefaery]

They tried to find you; they did what they could. It's no one's fault.

It would be reasonable for you to ask for them to come get you sooner in the future, after 5-10 minutes. Just remember that they have other kids to care for. They cannot come get you right away the very moment your daughter seems to want to nurse or is becoming upset. They have to draw a line at a place that is reasonable for everyone involved.

I think it would be better for YOU to take the initiative. They are responsible for several children; you're just responsible for yours. Go and peek in every 20 minutes or so. That would solve the problem of your daughter crying for too long. I put my DS in the daycare at my gym, and they come get me when he's crying. I also peek into the daycare everytime I stop for a break or drink of water.

[momtoS]

I was actually wondering if I could give them some info about breastfed babies (they asked if I could leave a bottle) without seeming too pushy....

[thewaggonerfamily]

What about taking 2 2-way radios and leaving one with them and taking one with you. Baby gets fussy and all they need to do is page you on the walkie talkie. We have these and they are great. My kids will take them with them around town (we live in a tiny town) and I can call them if I need them, or if we are driving in two cars, or at the mall, and a whole bunch of other situations. They are cheap and we love them!!!

[moonfirefaery]

Also, you could request that they call you over the intercom if they cannot find you. Or leave your cell phone number and keep the phone with you while you work out.

I don't see why you need to give them any information about breastfeeding. The issue is crying and how quickly they fetch you. They cannot just come get you if your daughter looks like she might be rooting or interested in nursing. They have other kids to care for. That is why they come get you only if she is inconsolable after X amount of time. My son was breastfed to age 2, and I worked out about two hours a week with him. I never had to leave them any information about breastfeeding. If he cried, they came and got me, and I nursed him. I checked in frequently just in case, and if he was crying, I fed him. You need to set clear and reasonable guidelines as to when they should fetch you and provide a way for them to contact you quickly. Others have made suggestions that will be far more helpful than pamphlets about breastfeeding and the needs of breastfed babies. Understanding breastfeeding doesn't help them find you anymore quickly when your baby is hungry.