You have to be both creative and flexible to solve the child- care dilemma in a way acceptable to both you and your children. Bringing children along works surprisingly well in many situations. Babies, of course, are happy to be near mother and happy to nurse. Simple, quiet toys can entertain older babies. When you have a mobile toddler, you may have to hang out in the back of the meeting room to give your child a place to walk and crawl without disturbing others.
Preschoolers can often entertain themselves, at least for a while, with books or paper and crayons.
When you bring your children to an adult event, be sensitive to the needs of others. If your child is noisy or distracting, be prepared to leave quickly and graciously. Many mothers find that older babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are happy with dad, grandma, or another familiar friend for an hour or two during the day or evening. Sometimes bringing the familiar caregiver along to the event is the best solution for everyone. Mother is available for nursing or a quick hug when needed, but there's someone else for baby to play with when mother and others need to concentrate.