How did you cope with leaving your baby at a daycare for the first time?

Question

I recently had a baby, and unfortunately need to return to work. I need some advice on how to handle the emotions of taking my baby to daycare.

Answer 1

It's one of the hardest things you have to do as a parent, leaving your most precious little person in the care of someone you don't really know.

The first thing you need to do is rest assured that your child is in good hands. Make sure the caregiver / center you have chosen is licensed and insured, and that all employees have had criminal reference checks done on them. This will give you a degree of ease.

Try and integrate the baby slowly into it, if you have time to send him/her a few half days one week, a few full days the next, and slowly work up to full time. That way you'll see how the caregiver and baby gel. It will also give your baby the assurance that you're coming back for them everyday.

Be prepared, because you will cry, and your baby will cry, your caregiver may cry at all the crying going on. It's only temporary though, my son now loves going to daycare, and we know he's in good hands while he's there, so we love that he's there. He's got the chance to learn all new sets of socail skills that he just wouldn't get the exposure to at home, interacting with different children and adults on a daily basis.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I still cry about it once in awhile, and I still feel horrible that someone else is practically raising my kid! I don't take her to daycare regularly (only as needed), but I have a regular sitter that she started going to at 8 months, she is now 2yrs. I hate the fact that I'm not with her most of the day, but I have no choice about working. The positive things are that she gets to be around other people, both adults and kids, her age and older, and she gets to experience a lot more than she probably would if I did have the opportunity to stay home with her. Our sitter is awesome, my child is well taken care of, and has a lot of fun during the day. But like I said, I still get upset about it even after this long, and there are days I'd rather not leave her. The only thing you can do is remind yourself of the benefits of it, and make sure to value the time you do have together.

Answer 3

It's going to be hard at first but make sure the daycare you choose is one that you are truly comfortable with that will help you ease the pain. If you could, you will stay but you have to work for a better life for you and baby and keep that in mind and know that when work is done, no matter what went on at work there is someone that will be more than happy to see you. When you get to daycare and see that little smiling face. Believe you will start to feel better. Just know that at the end of the work day, you will see your precious one.

Answer 4

Hi. I know this will not be easy for you. But it doesn't have to break your heart either. Make a plan for that first couple of days. Write yourself some notes. Go get some nice little cards that look pretty (something calming and peaceful on the cover) with no messages inside. Then one night sit down and write yourself a little message: something like, "You know that all that you are doing, you are doing out of love. When you can be with your baby, you are with her (him?) in absolute love. When you are working, you are working for her in absolute love. Therefore, your love never leaves her. Not even for a second." Keep it aimed at what you know you would want to hear when you start feeling sad. Help yourself in this way. Be ready for the hurt and help yourself through it. You will be fine. And so will your baby.

Answer 5

One of the roughest things I ever had to do... drop off my son at daycare. Emotionally, it was rough. And then, I did the math... it was costing us $800 per month to pay someone else to watch my kid grow up. It only lasted one month. My wife and I decided that we didn't want to do it that way...so we found other jobs that allowed at least one of us to be home while the other worked... and we cut our expenses. It was only for the first five years, till my son started school. We were both able to rebound our careers and move on. I am so happy that we did it that way. Being close to your children is a choice, and don't hesitate they grow up so fast.

Answer 6

I was a crying, sobbing mess for the first 2 - 3 days.
Afterwards, I started to reflect on how happy he would be when I would get him in the afternoons!
Your baby will be OK...especially if he's receiving excellent care.
Be sure though that he is kept with other babies his age.
He shouldn't be around toddlers until he is one himself.
Toddlers can be cruel and they have NO understanding of infants.

Answer 7

Try to let yourself see that your baby is still getting good care even if it's not from you(if this is the case) Make sure you really trust your caregiver. Spend quality bonding time with baby when you are together.

Answer 8

Assuming you did your research on the day care provider, and are confident in leaving your precious one with them, trust your instincts, take deep breaths, and call at your lunch break, hug and kiss him/her when you pick them up. We've all done it, and it will be okay.

Answer 9

( SHUDDERS ) sorry you had to go back to work.
my hubby would work 3 jobs so I wouldnt have to!
I really dont know what to tell you except you're probably gonna cry and feel guilty, I've seen it so many times when I was working before I was a mom with my co workers

Answer 10

I was a total and complete wreck. I cried and called all day long.................