I've had a table at Babies R Us a couple of times now.

I think I look pretty friendly and approachable, and this last time the table was really quite lovely. I also work for a massage center that does bellycasting, pregnancy massage, etc. My table had a bellycast, couple of vases with pretty rocks, a sand/rock garden, pelvis, dilation teaching tool, brochures, hand-outs on the center's pregnancy services.

People come in the door, glance at me, and run the other way! It's like they're worried I'm going to accost them somehow. At the first baby fair I did, I raffled off a free one-hour massage, so I was able to lure some people over by saying, "Would you like to sign up for a chance to win a massage?" This time, BRU said I couldn't do a raffle at my table anymore, so I gave away coupons for $10 off a massage.

When people come in, I try to catch their eye, smile, and if it seems appropriate, say hi. I don't think I'm being overly aggressive. I work in public relations and marketing for a living, and I'm not uncomfortable in these situations. But it seems like people coming into the store are just there to shop and don't want to look at a display or talk with anyone.

Does anyone else have this challenge at BRU?

Hmmm. Sorry to hear that, but it is common for us to get those 'looks' too. Our BRU gives moms a checkoff sheet that requires them to go to every table in order to be in a raffle (done by BRU). Perhaps you can suggest a check off sheet and donating your free massage/itme/gift cert. for them to raffle off?
That way you still get to interact with most of the moms coming in the door. Although you are still going to have moms who don't want to hear your pitch and just want the paper signed ;) Stay positive!

best wishes...

did any of you hear about the new ban on home birth related materials by bru? its been pretty big on the midwifery group i belong to

did any of you hear about the new ban on home birth related materials by bru? its been pretty big on the midwifery group i belong to

Like what home birth related materials? Mine didn't say anything, but I wasn't handing out anything homebirth related. I'd just talk about it every chance I got :howling

did any of you hear about the new ban on home birth related materials by bru? its been pretty big on the midwifery group i belong to

I would love to hear/read more about this if any one has any info.

Liz

ok, this is the information i got in my email-

A group called C.H.O.I.C.E.S. (Stands for Choices in Healthy birth
Offering Information, Communication, Education and Support)had
participated in the event in past years had been told not to bring
their children and that breastfeeding would not be allowed at their
booth.The woman said that Babies R Us policies had been changed and they had gotten nowhere as far as challenging them goes.
and also
this from another group.....
For the past two years here in Northern Virginia, we have
organized a Labor Day event at Babies R Us. The stores set up a table
for us, and we gave out Trust Birth cards and various hand-outs about
homebirth, the MMOC, doulas, breastfeeding, etc. Well, this year our
local BRU stores are telling us that BRU has a new policy prohibiting
groups from giving out information on homebirth. Any other topic is
fine, but homebirth is not allowed. Our advocacy group is currently
trying to find out whether this is indeed a national store policy, or
if it is coming from a local manager. We haven't heard back from the
BRU headquarters yet. I was hoping you all could help us out...by
calling up your local Babies R Us and asking if you could have a table
at their next maternity fair to hand out info on homebirth, and then
let me know what they say. If this is indeed a national policy, we
will be starting an organized boycott for sure.

The claim is untrue. My parter is in mangement with the company and because of my position as a CCBE, CLA and PLD (and the lameness of some policies, like the recent "crack down" on un-licenced or certified ventors, vendors touching or feeding their customers or snayhitng similar that they as a company could be held liable for) we've been over the documents in detail.
You must be certified or licenced to give out information, possibly this group was advocating Homebirth options and they were not certifed or licened birth educators. That's the only explnation I can come up with other then the particular store getting complaints from customers.
You are not ever supposed to bring your children to the events. It's unprofessional to begin with.