WFAA-TV

Emily Dalton's employer lets her take her new baby to work with her.

DALLAS — For parents—particularly mothers—going back to work after having new baby can be one of the most difficult times of your life.

Feelings of guilt and anxiety about leaving the baby with someone else are often overwhelming.

But workers at Dallas-based ChildCareGroup don't have that problem, because babies are actually welcome in the workplace.

"I think it is definitely an added benefit," said Emily Dalton, who is taking advantage of her employer's Infants at Work program.

One-hundred babies have "officed" at ChildCareGroup. The company lets employees bring their baby to with them for the first few months of his or her life.

That's something money can't buy for new parents. "You don't have to worry about your chldren when they are away from you," Dalton said. "They are so small; you can't keep them up here forever, but a little bit of time, it gives you a piece of mind and security."

Happier parents means happier employees. And that means less absenteeism and more productivity.

"It really makes a big difference," said ChildCareGroup President and CEO Susan Peek Hoff. "We see more productive workers in the parents, much more company loyalty, and we see happier parents."

Blanca Hernandez said she's not distracted when her little boy is nearby. "I just type or write—whatever I need to do," she said. "He just sits right here on my lap."

Experts agree that bonding is key to nurturing a child's well being now—and down the road.

"The bonding—especially that you get right now in the first few months—is wonderful," Hernandez said.

"We know from research that the first four months of life are just critical in terms of building human attachment," Hoff said. "We want to be able to foster that for the moms and dads."

Workers at the ChildCareGroup also say that having their baby with them for the first few months also saves money. Childcare costs about $190 dollars a week.

E-mail tfoster@wfaa.com