Is it a good idea to take my baby to a daycare center 2 or 3 hours each day although I am a stay-at-home mom?

Question

Tomorrow my baby will be 3 months old. My husband thinks that if we take our baby to a daycare, this will help our baby to learn to be social and that it will help her overall development. But I am afraid 3 months is still too young for my baby to attend and I do not have to go back to a job right now. What is your opinion? Will it be good for my 3 month old child to be in a daycare for a couple hours a day? Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

NO!
A three month old baby isn't going to pick up any social skills at daycare that she couldn't learn at home! It's not like she's ready for cooperative play yet, LOL!

Go to a parenting group.
Go to the zoo.
Go to the park.
Go to La Leche League.
Go to the Children's Museum.
Go to the library for story time.

Your child will learn to be social WITHOUT going to daycare to pick up germs, bad habits, be cared for by people other than mom and dad and miss being at home with mom where she belongs!
If you are able to be a SAHM, then keep your little one at home with you!

Answer 2

I would say that 3 months might be a little early to put baby in daycare if you do not have to. Just because baby is at home does not mean that he or she is not learning. I stayed home with my oldest for the first year and a half. My mom said that he was going to be socially and intellectually disadvantage. He is now almost 4 and tests at and above a 5 year age range. Just make sure you talk to baby...in regular english...not baby talk. Also read alot..even if there seems to be no interest. I also tried to stay on somewhat of a schedule...for baby's sake and my own..lol! And--do not be afraid to take baby out duing the day sometimes. Even a walk around WalMart is good for the social aspect. How many people stop to tell baby just how cute they are? That is good interaction with someone other than mom and dad. If you have other family or friends that have small children, that will also help with the social aspect as well as a good oportunity to make "friends." Please...enjoy the time you have one on one with baby. They are only small for a VERY short period!!

Answer 3

First of all, at 3 months old, your baby isn't going to be doing a whole lot of socializing. Second, 3 months isn't too young to go to a daycare for only a few hours a day, and it could be handy if you need to catch up on errands, housework, etc. In short, it won't hurt or help your baby. None of my kids regularly went to daycare and they have adapted socially just fine. So do it if you need the extra time during the day or if you just need the break WHICH IS JUST FINE TOO. Babies are demanding and tiring. That's just a fact and nothing to deny or feel like being a bad parent about.

Answer 4

I agree with both of you. While he does need the social development, 3 months can be a little young. Some mothers can't help it and have to take their new born back.I have a 3 yr old and I had someone who could watch until he was 3 mos old. Then I took him. He had acid reflux and I needed to be sure that was under control before I took him. The best thing to do is consider your options and circumstances. Your not leaving him there full time, does he require any special care(I.E. medications, specially prepared foods) and if so can they be accomodated before or after daycare. Not only will it help with social development but it will also acclimate him to daycare in the event you do need to go back to work. just be aware that children began to get sick when they start interractions with other children, but thats inevitable. Sorry so long. I have been on your shoes before. You are welcome.

Answer 5

you state that your a stay at home mom, but then said that you do not have to go back to a job right now. If you plan on doing it within the next year, then yes, i would put her in daycare for maybe 2 or 3 days a week. just so she gets used to being with other people besides your husband, other family members and yourself. Otherwise she will become really attached to you and going out to a dinner and a movie with hubby and leaving her with a sitter could be a problem. If she's used to other people and surroundings it will be a better transition for her. If she's not used to going out and being left with others, you might have a screaming child crying for you as you leave for your dinner. And believe me, i have been through that and you won't enjoy yourself. you'll keep calling home and wondering if she stopped crying the whole time! and it wont be good. if your not going back to work for at least a year or more, then if i was you i would make sure that she gets out into the public alot and attend some mommy and me classes...those are great to get her used to others. Your local library might have classes or hour sessions during the week for children of all ages. just sitting there with her while another person reads, or doing activities, most of the time they are free.

I had two children and finally became a work at home mom, i wish i would have put my children into another enviorment when they were younger just to get them used to being away from me. . My son still has problems with staying at a sitters house, even if he knows them.

good luck

Dawn

Answer 6

At just 3 months old, I don't think taking her to a daycare would be that beneficial to her (not that it would be bad, just that she does not need to be with other children right now).

Maybe when you do have to go back to work, you could take her for a couple hours a day for a couple weeks before you start that way she can get used to being away from you and get ready for being there longer, but right now, no, I don't think she needs to go into daycare.

Answer 7

Stay at home w/your child as long as you can. 3 month old babies don't socialize. They cuddle with their mommies and daddies. Maybe, at 4 yrs old before kindergarten, use a 3 day a week 1/2 day program.
You are her security, you are her social life, you are her caregiver, and if you are blessed with circumstances for you to remain home and be the main caregiver, do it. You will never regret staying home with your child. If you want, allow the baby be babysat by a trusted relatative or other trusted indiv for those 3 hours. Do you have family who can help out here? Kids learn to be social by their interaction with their family, not by daycare. NOT to mention the germs and illnessess that will be brought home from daycare.

Answer 8

If you can afford it, it probably will help your sanity more than anything else. A lot of babies attend daycare at 3 months old, the benefit just being around other babies. You may want to start taking the baby to a local playgroup if you want to help her overall development. I think probably when she starts crawling you would see more social development in a daycare setting. Good luck!

Answer 9

Your husband does have the right idea. Socializing is important for development. However, at 3 months a baby's immune system isn't up to par just yet. It really isn't until 6 months that the immunities are building. If you do opt for day care be ready for many runny noses. On the other hand, taking your child to day care may in fact build his/her immune system.

Day cares that specialize in infant development are very good. Esp if they have mommy and me sessions or "play groups." Those are good, and you are able to supervise.

Check all credintials of any Day Care. Make sure it is lisenced with lisensed workers that have ECE Degrees. You may pick one and when you plan to drop your bebe off find that you are the one not ready! =)

Answer 10

Just my opinion, but we have had 4 children (3 are now teens & 1 9yo), I believe 3 months is a little to early as most of what a child learns will be in the first year and mom is usually the best for that. Once they start walking & talking though, look out world! Then it would be ok.