Jury duty

[USAFeyez06]

Ladies... I'm in need of some advice. I was just sent a summons for jury duty, which wouldn't be too much of a problem (provided I can pump every 3 hours or so) however, there is a much bigger issue. My 10 month old DD will NOT under any circumstances take a sippy, bottle or any other form of feeding (including solids) from anyone but myself or my husband (and often will not accept it from my husband). She has been like this since she was an infant and just recently I got her to take a sippy cup, but it's still under her terms and she's very picky and will not accept it from anyone else but me. I have tried to no avail... hence why my husband and I can only go out for dinner and return to her.

I am going to talk to her pediatrician tomorrow and she is awesome, so I know that she will most likely write me a note, but there is always an if. I checked the laws for Colorado and none are for breastfeeding or primary caregiver for child (I also have no family or anyone to watch her). My only other recourse would be to take her with me and breastfeed there (and hopefully they'd excuse me then).

Anyone have anything on this? I am not going to starve my 10 month old (who is tiny enough as it is) to sit on a jury all day when I can just do this at a later time.

This has been a rough week... she is not sleeping well AT ALL and I am so sleep deprived I'm a walking zombie. And to top it all off, in my half comatose state while eating lunch today, I gave her 2 very tiny pieces of deli turkey and then flipped when I realized it was honey turkey!!!! I didn't give her the glazed part, and it was a very small amount, but I flipped so much I paged her pediatrician. She calmed me down and told me that she is older, it was a tiny amount if it's even real honey, and it's rare so I should calm down. I feel like a horrible mommy, I NEED sleep!!! I just got over a nasty infection, so not sleeping isn't helping and I'm so sick of antibiotics it's ridiculous. I was on them, my DD and even my dog!!!! UGH!!!!

Please shed some light... I'm just miserable and worried now.

[Darcy_]

I got summoned for jury duty a few months ago when Serra wouldnt take a bottle. I just called and explained my situation and they told me not to worry about it they would take care of it.


So dont worry, just call them on Monday and explain your situation.

[madelsmama]

No allowance for primary care giver? That's nuts. I have been excused from my summons in recent years.

I would try calling the courthouse.

[intokermit]

If all else fails, I would take your LO with you and nurse them while you sit there. Unless you're not big on NIP. Personally, if they won't work with you, then you have to do what you can. There are ways to cover yourself, so that no one can see anything. Good luck to you!

[momoffive]

They will not allow a little one to sit with you on jury duty, so if you were to report with her on your boob, they will gladly excuse you.

[USAFeyez06]

I think I'm going to call her ped before I call the courthouse. That way if they say no to me on the phone, I can tell them I have a doctors statement.

Thanks for the advice and words of encouragment. Just frustrating and it came at a bad time when it seemed that nothing else was going "my way." Still a little worried, but this should work out alright, I hope.

[GirlsMama]

Do you want to do jury duty? If you want to then I would listen to everyone's suggestions for how to find a way to make it work. But if you do not want to do jury duty I'd call and explain why you cannot.

[KatieLou]

They will not allow a little one to sit with you on jury duty, so if you were to report with her on your boob, they will gladly excuse you.


That would work!

[SingingMom]

I was called, and showed up. When I submitted my card and explained that I had (at the time) 3 little ones at home and one was nursing, they sent me home then and there.

[USAFeyez06]

Ok, I had to tell you ladies this because it kind of bothered me.

I called my ped and explained the situation to her and she told me that she would write a note that I was bfing a lo under 12 months. However, when we were talking about how she won't eat for anyone else she said "We'll, she won't starve in a day." That may be the case, but who would leave there lo all day without bm, formula, or solids??? I venture to say she wouldn't do that with her own children. She also said she didn't think she could get me out of jury duty and kept saying things along those lines... like I was just trying to get out of it. That is not the case... my dd will not take food of any sort from anyone else (i refuse to let her starve all day) and we are military and have no family or friends to watch her. Not to mention I would have to pump every 3 hours or so.

Her ped is usually excellent and kind, so maybe I just took the way she was speaking the wrong way or I was over sensitive. I hope that is the case.

When I called the courts... it was confirmed. As long as there is a doctor's statement, nursing an infant under 12 months of age is a disqualification if the mother chooses so. I just don't like feeling like I am a bad guy for not doing right now.

Am I a bad guy for feeling/thinking this way?

[Amy_G_]

you are a good caring mother!

[USAFeyez06]

THANK YOU!!!!

Update: Picked up the note from her ped saying that she was 10 months old and breastfeeding and went down to the court today and dropped it off. The man was so not friendly, but whatever. Filled out the paper with my name and address and signed it and that was it. Easier than I thought it would be. Glad they recognize that nursing isn't exactly easy, plus they'd have to provide a place to pump and allow me the time to pump.

Thanks again for the advice!