One off child care for 7 week old?

[Rosieposie9]

I'm currently on maternity leave with my 7 week old baby. My work are trying to tell me I have to give evidence at court (police) and despite me telling them it's not possible at the moment they won't take no for an answer and have told me I will just have to sort childcare. Aside from the fact my baby is breastfed and feeds every hour during the day I don't even know how I would go about finding child care for a 7 week old baby on a one off basis? Do nurseries/child minders even take babies this young? I'm not going to need it for more than a day at the most so I can't see anywhere/anyone being willing to do this, I also don't want to leave my baby with someone I don't know. I've told them again for a second time that it's not possible and they've just said it's my problem to sort child careAny suggestions? My family all work so that's not an option either. Is it as easy as they seem to think it is to just snap up some child care for a young baby for a single day?

Is there a police union you can contact?

You can try Sitters for a babysitter for the day - obv you'd meet them first, do a short trial etc so you were happy.

I'd take the baby with me.

As much as I'd love to take the baby I'm not going to be able to stand in the box and give evidence at crown court with a baby under my arm

Doesn’t help you with childcare but just thought I’d mention (as you are BFing) that HMCTS have policies on accommodating breastfeeding mothers at court - they will find you a private room to express if you ask in advance. You might be able to arrange to give your evidence at the start of the day as well, to minimise how long you will be away.

I’ve hired a nanny for the day, which is a good option

There's a pretty large waiting room that you will be sitting in until your called to give evidence.....can you not ask someone to come with you and baby and they sit with her until you're done?

I don't have anyone that could come as my family and friends will all be working unfortunately.

That doesn’t seem very reasonable. You could phone ACAS (free) and ask them what your rights are.

If you feel you have to do it could you hire a Nanny through sitters or similar for the day to come with you and hold the baby when needed?!?

What about the babies father? Could they take annual leave for the day?

Can you contact the court, explain the situation and ask what accommodations can be made?

Do you have a union or a similar work organisation you can contact and discuss this with?

It's bloody stupid of them just to stonewall you with the "you sort childcare" comment out. You're on maternity leave!

Do they ask other people who are on other types of leave to do this?

I’ve no idea if your work’s request is legal, but speaking for myself I had a good experience hiring a sitter to come to the workplace with me (I was there voluntarily).

So she took DS for the ‘formal’ bits and fed him some expressed milk, then when I was doing informal bits she brought him to me for his feeds then took him back.

Yes, agree with the idea of getting a sitter to come to court with you. You’ll be waiting for most of the time and they can take the baby while you go in. Feed immediately before and after.

I think this is really unreasonable of them, but if they insist do you know anyone from work that will also be at the court on the same day, could you take the baby with you and as above feed just before you go in and see if the colleague could perhaps take the baby for a walk in the pram whilst you're in there. Could you ask from a representative from HR to attend to help you out?
Or, could you speak with the police (if they are involved) and see if they have a family support office who can attend to assist?
You should be able to get a good idea of how long you'll be in there giving evidence?

Could the father take a day off for this?
Try and find a nanny agency and book a nanny for the day. You could take the nanny to court with you and just get her to take the baby for a walk in the pram or go to a local coffee shop etc whilst you are in court. So she is nearby for feeding etc. otherwise ask any mum friends ? This is when knowing a few local mums helps or a naigbour if you have a responsible one. I’m assuming you are in the police ?

I think the idea of taking a babysitter with you is a great one.

If it's just one day, could baby's dad or a friend or other relative not take a day off work and come with you so that you can be with your baby when not needed in court? I know I would do this for a friend.

Are you actually fit enough to go through this 7 weeks PP? Can you speak to your go to see if they can help?
I couldn't have done this with my DD as she fed hourly and would only bf. Never took a bottle so I couldn't leave her with anyone. Have you tried feeding other ways?

I know lots of people who have been in this position, they have taken a relative to court / friend to look after little one outside the court room whilst they gave their evidence.

You could speak to the CPS lawyer and see if they actually need your evidence and see if it can be agreed in advance.

Their stance will be that unless it’s a last min court warning that you would have had plenty of warning.... I was warned for court twice when my DS would have been under two weeks. These I didn’t have to go to as the law states you must have two weeks off work. Speak to the federation but I don’t think they will be able to help much

I used to be cited constantly for court in my old job. I was never, ever called to actually give evidence. I bet they won't even actually call you!

I am in Scotland so i suspect things will be different for you. When i was ill and unable to be available i had to get a particular letter from my GP to excuse me. If I was you i would call the court admin people and ask them what you should do in this case.

I think you need to get a babysitter/nanny who goes with you to court and takes the baby only when you are called to testify. There is likely to be waiting around and I would minimise your time away and your need to pump if you possibly can. CMs and nurseries generally won't take a baby that young but an experienced nanny could.

^this.

Could you ask from a representative from HR to attend to help you out?

I think you need to take a nanny or the baby’s father and the baby to court.

I think you need to get a babysitter/nanny who goes with you to court and takes the baby only when you are called to testify.

This is what I was going to suggest. Find a babysitter who can just hold the baby for the time you'll be testifying. I'm sure most people would be happy to be paid to sit in a waiting room. Will you be paid as a 'keeping in touch' day.

I was in this situation and they gave me a room to sit in with baby and feed. I had my H with me while I went to give evidence to look after baby. Appreciate this may not be an option for you. Maybe contact your HR?