What are the benefits and drawbacks to having to put my 2.5 month old into daycare?

Question

I thought my husband would be able to stay home with our daughter until late August (he has a more flexible schedule than me because he is a graduate student). However his advisor just gave him and his group a deadline of showing some results in April therefore he has to go to the lab more...meaning she has to go to daycare..Basically I wanted to wait until she was older (not going until August) so that she will have a parent to bond more with. CAN YOU TELL I REALLY DON'T WANT HER TO GO..So moms that have their babies in daycare do you sense a change in them, is bonding different now, etc...

Answer 1

Hi there,

I have a son the same age as your daughter who is currently in childcare. We've done both -- I stayed home with him during the summer months and it was fantastic! We loved it, but I also made sure every day was a new adventure. There are DEFINATE benefits to the right childcare for your child. Personally, I prefer a licensed home day care myself. The pluses are that they are learning to interact daily with other children their age, sharing (or I call it - taking turns), independence and in the right environment -- they should have a very active learning schedule. For me, it was more active than the one I was able to provide at home as chores came in the way, running errands, etc. Children learn from other children.

Last night, our family was laying in bed and my son said "Gracias" in lieu of Thank you... I wasn't sure what we was saying and asked him to repeat it numerous times until I figured out that he had learned Gracias that day at "school" (what we call it). I think it prepares them for kindergarden by taking them out of the home... socially it's great! He does a different art project everyday and it has really carried on at home. The drawbacks are of course the financial side of it, the time you are away from your child and if you cannot find the right fit -- there could be a number of other things that could be listed as negatives.

I'm blessed because my son have zero seperation anxiety and really enjoys it. I have NO DOUBT that we have the strongest bond we could possibly have even though he spends about 8 and 1/2 hours away from me daily. I miss him during the day and call him when I do and we have mommy and son chat time.

I really wouldn't worry at all about the bonding thing... I can assure you it hasn't affected my child at all. They know and love their parents and no one or no amount of time during the day can take that away. Good luck in your decision.

Answer 2

I don't think putting newborns into a daycare is a bad thing. Just be VERY careful in the daycare you choose. Not just the provider. Make sure the TV won't be the one keeping the kids amused. I would also recommend choosing a daycare with a lot of diversity, race-wise. The reason I say this is because once they start school and there are different people all in one place, your child won't think anything of it. I know that's a weird thing to bring up, but my son's doctor was African American and he was TERRIFIED of him. After I put him in a daycare with an African American provider, I never had another problem. Bonding is no different, they still know who their Mommies and Daddies are. I know it's nerve-racking, but that feeling doesn't last very long if you choose the right person. Good Luck and I hope everything works out!!

Answer 3

I personally think 10 weeks old is too early for daycare, but not everybody is given an option. Just research your daycare well to ensure she'll recieve the same stimulation there as she would at home. If she's going to be put in daycare at all, the earlier the introduction the better. My son never set foot in a daycare until he was 4 years old and after the first 2 months he started having a little attitude with us. We sat him down and talked to him and he admitted missing mommy during the day.

Answer 4

My son is now 6 months old and has been in daycare since he was 3 months old. He goes 4 days a week 8-5, I haven't noticed any change in his bonding with myself or any other member of the family. He does seem to be a little more able to amuse himself and doesn't need constant attention. But he has always been a little independent thing (weaned himself at 2 months from breastfeeding, took himself off a pacifier at 4 months, and has never had a problem sleeping in his own crib)

Everyone has their own opinion but as for me, I chose a small in home daycare. This way he does get more one on one time than he would say in a bigger day care. I personally believe that it helps develop social skills in a child.

Answer 5

I am a huge fan of daycare - just take your time and find one that is just right for your family and situation. Both of my kids are in daycare and the interaction with other kids and adults has been great for them. I think the more people who love your children, the better - lucky for them. When your child's in daycare, it makes the time you do have together all the more important and meaningful. And the difference between starting your child now or in August probably isn't that big of a deal. Good luck!

Answer 6

Well mine was in daycare from 3 months on because my husband works like 7-7 and I am in school full time. I thought it was great just make sure it is a place that you like and have heard good things about.. also walk through the place and drop in every now and then. I saw first hand that my daughter was VERY out going and loves kids and was not near as clingy as my Friends child.. which was not in daycare. My daughter is good about sharing and she loves daycare. She is now 13 months old and loves it everyday.

Answer 7

I placed my son in daycare a month ago at 12 months and I'm glad I did it. He's getting a lot of interaction with other kids and learns a lot from them, I noticed a lot of good developmental changes.
Another thing that was melting my heart - he misses me, what never happened of course when he was with me all the time . When I come to pick him up, he just drops everything and flies to greet and hug me, that's truly priceless :))
I also decided that I would not place my next baby into daycare until he's mobile enough to be on his own - crawling at good level. If your baby is not mobile he might end up in the rocker for most of the day and will not probably get enough tummy or play time needed for gross motor skills development.

Answer 8

it depends on who you ask. There are arguments for and against putting infants in daycare.

I was widowed when my youngest daughter was 10 months old, and thus have had to rely on a Nanny and daycare.

She is now 4 years old, and I have to say that she is very, very, smart. I don't know if it is genetic, or her environment. Probably both. Certainly I would think that the daycare had something to do with it.

good luck with your daughter.

Answer 9

Your newborn desires to hit upon a thanks to construct communique/human beings skills. He/she desires to how one could have interaction with different children. the more youthful, the more effective powerful. That way, even as it really is time for him/her to commence college, they don't freak out! i understand there is horror memories about day cares, yet hit upon a respected one and position your newborn there. I had an in intensity chum watch my daughter till she change into 2.5 years previous. She change into shy, obdurate and selffish. I positioned her in a tremendous daycare with lots of events and tremendous human beings and she or he flourished. She's very outgoing and she or he stocks now. even in spite of the undeniable fact that she's in uncomplicated words 4 now, we are able to have a communique about particular issues that i understand for a reality does no longer be so if I saved her with the sitter.

Answer 10

my daughter is 7mths old and has been in daycare since she was six weeks and she looks perfectly normal to me......just spend some time with her after daycare and u should be alright dont worry she/he will always know who mommy is.........congrats tho......but to also include in there that she make get sick more often now and then u really gon have to miss work then.....it depends on the daycare on whether or not they clean everyday..........