Is it possible to carry on working and just take your baby with you in a sling?

[FrannyandZooey]

If you are self-employed, very part time and working in a very child-friendly environment?

If not, how long would you think would be necessary to take off work after having a baby? (after the initial "I can't sit down or stop blubbing" bit had worn off)

Nope, it is more the hands on sort, Ludicrous Swine Named Person

and I was getting all encouraged there

I think a baby or a 3+ year old is fine to cart along to these sort of things (if the older child is very used to the environment), but it wouldn't be long before the baby became a toddler and then it would be impossible. So you would still need a long term plan.

I take 3 year old ds to my music classes, but most of the time I have my MIL to help. I cannot imagine being able to take a baby unless she could definitely be there each time. My MIL usually ends up helping all the mums as they need it.

So maybe with a lovely Grandma type volunteer it would work.

I think you could be OK doing the sort of thing you are suggesting. It is a few hours a week I assume, therefore not quite like a full time job. The setting up/packing up again could be done. Probably harder with crawling baby, but what are prams for.

I would say go for it tbh, at least your punters would be understanding

F+Z the lady who runs our toddler group does so with her little boy in tow. She does 3 mornings a week and he is with her. He is now 2.9yrs old[hes same age as ds] but she came back with him at 8wks and was bf and never had a problem at all. Think if you are in child orientated environment it is easier to do and also other parents more open to you having your own children there.

MEant to add toddler group is quite structured with over 50 children attending. She organises games, toast time, bubble time, song time, craft time and then has tidy up time at end of session so everyone helps to tidy stuff away.

Nemo I love you