Babies in the Workplace

   As Deann Tiede of the Kansas Insurance Department explained:

   Infant child care, in particular, is the most
   difficult to find and the most costly. Because
   parents can bring their babies with them for
   the first six months of the infant's life, it's a
   tremendous emotional and financial benefit
   to them.

   Francine Gemperle of MAYA Design said that she "had no idea there would be waiting lists for day care in Pittsburgh." She greatly appreciated the fact that bringing her baby to work gave her "that extra time to navigate the day care universe."

   Because of babies' tremendous need for dedicated human contact and social interaction, high-quality day care for infants can be difficult to achieve. One study looked at 400 day care centers in four states and found that only 8% of the infant

programs were of good or excellent quality and an appalling 40% of the programs were of poor quality. Sadly, similar numbers are seen across the country.

When a mother has to return to work at four, eight, or even twelve weeks after her baby's birth, it is very difficult for parents to experiment with a variety of day care options and to find an arrangement that provides the kind of care they want for their baby. A baby program allows parents to take their time looking for the right day care arrangement for their baby, interviewing providers, and gradually getting their baby
used to day care to make sure there is a good fit.

More Responsive Care
Means Healthier Babies

Babies in the workplace tend to have their needs met quickly, which makes for better-adjusted, happier babies.