How do you get you and your baby ready for daycare?

Question

This is my last week of maternity leave and I am very nervous. How do I get us both prepared for this major change?

Answer 1

Don't feel nervous or guilty. While obviously, direct maternal care is probably the best, that is not always available or a choice. Additionally, daycare and preschool will allow kids to get used to the idea of interaction with other children on a long-time basis, independence, and proper school ettiquette.

I'm guessing that if you're on maternatity leave and in the US, then your leave was only 3 months or less, which is horrible compared to some European countries which allow a full year.

In terms of transistion, though this will probably be easier for the baby, since at 3 months, she probably doesn't really know who anyone is, and has yet to develop a stranger complex. in terms of evolution, this allows her to accept mothering from anyone at her most helpless and dependent stage of life. the problem will be then more on you than her. You could try to do intial visits, half days, etc, slowly increasing the time of departure - but again it may be more for your benefit, to make sure that you're comfortable with the quality of care.

you can also do this with toddlers in preschool. 99% of the time, it's more the change and the new environment that are annoying/scaring the children, and as they get accustomed to it - find new friends, get to know their caretakers, the separation will be easier and easier.

my partner did this for our two kids to daycare. each child is different as well. my son dashed into the new environ and loved the other kids. he acutually threw tantrums when we tried to get him to leave and go home(this also stopped once he learned that he would be going back regularly). my daughter had separation anxiety, so the slow separation worked better for her once she realized that we were coming back for her. she has no problems now, although she still is overjoyed when i pick her up.

Answer 2

My daughter who is 13 months old is starting daycare next week. I truly think that it's harder on the Mother than the child. If you can gradually ease your baby it would be better. Try doing a few hours the first day and slowly increase the amount of time. Some of the things that I have done is visit the daycare as much as possible. It really eased my mind. They are all wonderful caretakers in there. Be involved as much as you can. Find out what their routine is and slowly incorporate their routine into yours at home. This will make the transition much easier for your baby.

I am going to shower in the evenings and make sure everything is ready to grab the next morning to run out the door. Including the clothes laid out, etc. I plan to wake about 6:30 get the 2 of us ready and then spend some time playing with her then out the door no later than 8.

I'm a nervous wreck too and I probably will not sleep next Sunday night. I'm with you on all of those feelings. I will be gradually increasing the hours which I know will be easy on both of us.

Answer 3

I owned a child care center and would suggest the following. Some day this week visit the child care center with your child and set up your child's crib and bring in the necessary supplies. Make a second visit where you can spend several hours with the child and the caregivers.

This way you will not be frantic on the first day trying to set up a crib, etc. You will also be on first name basis with the care givers and have a better sense of security.

If you are taking your child to a reputable child care center you really have very little to worry about as the child usally adjust to the surroundings long before the parent does.

Answer 4

Ohhhh! I sympathize with you. I've gone through it twice. And yes I cried. The second child I took my daughter(at 6 months) to the daycare and let her participate while I was there playing as well. I did that a couple of days and slowly pulled myself back - not in her site. She looked for me a few times. I worked it out with the director of the daycare and this help my daughter feel comfortable with the teachers. Since she was use to the people I was leaving her with a couple of weeks later, it wasn't too bad for her and made it a little easier for me. They had the monitor there at the daycare I could log on to their website and watch.

Answer 5

Make sure you have thoroughly checked out your daycare and then ask them if it would be ok to come in a couple times a week for an hour or so to make sure that your baby will accept/get used to the change. The first few times stay in with your baby and then try going out of the room to make sure baby feels comfortable with the people taking care of him/her.

Answer 6

Expose yourself and your child to more time apart by asking family and friends to take the child for an hour or two. This will make the separation when you return to work less stressful for both you and your child.

Answer 7

Don't. Stay home with your child and continue building your bond. You will never regret spending time with your child.

Answer 8

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/10/21/nursery121.xml

http://www.jbaassoc.demon.co.uk/watch/some%20recent%20findings%20jan%2006.pdf

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=UYKHIART3QBLDQFIQMGSFGGAVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2006/10/21/nursery21.xml

http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/Garden/2010

http://www.naturalchild.org