What would you do if a university student wanted to bring her newborn to class?

When I was a student (a couple of years ago, in case it makes any difference) a few times other students had to bring young children...it wasn't an issue. As long as she leaves if the baby's disruptive I don't see why a newborn is going to cause a problem.

I took DS to a lecture, but as he was 13 and played his Nintendo - I'm not sure it counts, lol.

The sling.

If she wears the sling she will find it much easier to anticipate her baby, and the baby will be quieter & largely invisible.

We're talking newborn . So not rattly toys and cheesy crackers - milk and sleep.

If the mother is willing to co-operate, I agree with Procrastreation.
If she has to leave the presentation because of the baby, will she fail the module? and if that's the case, might she insist on staying having been given permission to have her baby with her?
I'd definitely like to ban all mobile use in classes, that is very distracting.

i took my newborn ds1 to some lectures and classes.

sat by door and fed him, cuddled him as he slept.

it was fine, i was studying history and sociology so no health and safety issues which i guess there could be with a science subject?

Licia Ronzulli took her baby with her to work in the European Parliament and her daughter caused no problem at all. Newborns are usually much less trouble than older babies.

I would love the idea of it. But having had a similar situation in a meeting at work even though the baby slept through and was no trouble it still put people off.

I think it will disturb the other students who will be distracted by it.

I still love the idea though in theory. But in the real world I think it would be too selfish.

Seriously - assuming she comes with a sling & sits near the door, these are the outcomes:

She comes with the baby. The baby sleeps. She listens.

She comes with the baby. The baby feeds. The baby sleeps. She listens.

She comes with the baby. The baby fusses. She leaves.

I think you're more likely to be disrupted by her mobile phone than by her baby.

Newborns are pretty inoffensive - mine went everywhere with me including conferences, theatres and work meetings. I took a seat by the door & had my boobs on quick trigger - it really wasn't a hassle - and so much less stressful than getting childcare for a tiny.

Let her do it.

No, of course not. What a stupid, selfish idea. She's meant up be there to learn. So is any other student. Bloody ridiculous.

I was going to say, does it not contravene H*S policies or insurance?
i'm not sure it would impact other students too much, depending on lay out and size of the classroom. Even less impact if a lecture in theatre.

Offer to try it and see how it goes?

I used to take mine. My child minder turned out to be a flake and I couldn't get DC1 into the nursery for another month. It was my final year and I thought I would have to drop out.

My lecturers were fantastic and they came up with the idea. I would leave if he made the slightest peep and it meant that I got to graduate on time, without disrupting anyone else.

Gosh I love the idea of it but cannot imagine the student being relaxed enough to concentrate incase her child starts crying and interrupts the class or her classmates being able to concentrate if her baby does start crying.

Id probably say no personally but I am reminded of a European MP who took her newborn into meetings and whilst voting because she was breast feeding and still takes her daughter in now, as a two or three year old.

As a one-off or regularly?

Surely the uni has Health and safety policies on this

It was never allowed where I worked

I don't think it's appropriate