Mommy To Be?

Question

Well I am trying to start making plans on what I want to do with my little sunshine once he or she is born. I only get six weeks maternity paid leave and my boyfriend only gets 30 days paid leave from the military. Our plan is for me to do the six weeks once the baby is born and then once I have to go to work he will do the 30 days staying home with our little one. So our little bean will be around 12 weeks before both of us will be working again. I need a suggestion from some mommies what is better a family daycare meaning (the child is taken care at from a providers home that has one or two children to look after during the day) or a day care center (im sure you all know what that is)..Not sure who to go with. do you mommie have any experience with these to any stories or suggestions. Thanks in advance...

Answer 1

I would suggest a family daycare, because it is just that "family" make sure that you check references, ask close friends who have children if they have any suggestions, or if you attend church check there. You also have another resource being a military wife, you may be able to find someone through community boards or things like that. If you don't feel comfortable with someones first impressions follow that feeling. This is your child and you should make sure that you and your child are comfortable with the provider. Spend some time at the home, make sure that you can tell how they are with your kids by watching how they react to other children they watch as well. Good luck finding a good provider is a stressful search, but if you find a good one you will stay with them no matter what.
When my son was born my in-laws watched him two days a week and my husbands best friends mother watched him two more. This lasted the first year, and then I had to find another situation. I had one bad providor for a couple of months until I found the one he is at now. He is thriving and it is so much easier to work knowing that he is safe and happy. BTW I found his providor now through my in-laws church, not mine so be flexible with your search and don't feel bad about asking friends and family for help. They will want to protect your child too.

Answer 2

I went back to work when my son was 12 weeks old and I put him a private home daycare. There was only 4 other children there and I liked the idea of more personal care. In the end I quit my job and stayed home all together. I found that even though the home daycare was more personal, there also were no regulations. I would stop by on my lunch to check on my son and find the babysitter in the shower and her 12 yearl old daughter watching my son!! That is when I decided it would be best for my son to be home with me. I work at night now so I can stay home during the day. yes, I am always tired, but it's worth it knowing that my son is getting the best care he needs. Good luck!

Answer 3

This is my 3 day back to work from my maternity leave which was only 6 weeks unpaid & my husband only got off the first week after he was born. My son is 7 weeks old and goes to a family daycare. I found a mother of 3 that lives within a mile from my work to take care of him while I am at work. I go there on my lunch hour to see him. Daycares just have too many children in there at one time. Good luck!

Answer 4

When I had my daughter I only had 6 weeks paid leave also, and I was a single mom. Both types of daycare are good, but no matter which one you choose do your research on each one. I choose a daycare facility, it was close to my work- so that I could drop in on breaks, they had a 4 to1 ratio, and they separated the babies 0 to 6 months in one room, and 6 to12 in another, they also disinfected the toys at the end of the day. Make sure that you can talk easily with your provider, so if you have any concerns your not afraid to voice them. I hope this help. good luck with the new little one!

Answer 5

I am not a mother, but I do have several friends that are. Some of my friends use a day care center and some use a family style daycare. I think the best thing for you is what makes you feel the most comfortable. I would suggest that as soon as you can investigate both places. Daycare centers place should be able to provide you with references of other mothers you can talk to about their experiences there. Think of what concerns you have for your child, for example immunization requirements for your child as well as other children, is the staff trained in CPR and what to do in emergencies. Is the facility secure or can anyone just walk in off the street. If it is a daycare center what is the staff to child ratio. Interview these place as if they were applying for a job because they do have one of the most important jobs in the world -taking care of your child.
I know I didn't give a clear direct answer but I hope that this is helpful in your decision

Answer 6

Hello-The most important thing is that you feel at ease when you drop your child off. First go around to home daycares and centers around your area just to check them out. Pay attention to how they care for the children. I brought my daughter to a daycare center and did not like it. It just seems like they have way too many children to look after at one time. The Child to adult ratio is different than a home daycare. I could not concentrate while I was in college because I was always so worried about her. She would scream when I dropped her off. I finally decided to call around and found a home daycare that was really close to where I lived. I started to bring my daughter there and she absolutely loves it. The daycare lady tells me little things that my daughter does during the day. I can finally relax now that my daughters in good hands. I know how you feel when your a mom always worrying about your little ones. My older daughters in Kindergarten and I still worry about her. It never ends!! Just remember your baby is #1 and deserves the best care. I am going to college for child development and hope to have a daycare someday.

Answer 7

I went back to work when my son was 12 weeks and at first I chose a "daycare" center, it was recommended to me and i absolutely detested it. I felt that there were too many babies and not enough people to care for them. Also I had many issues with the care they gave my son. I removed him from there and put him in a small in home daycare. He has sinced flurished in this environment. He gets lots of attention(only 3 other babies) and there are 2 caretakers.

I don't recommend a commercial day care center, but I have had a bad experience.

Answer 8

At this age I would prefer a family daycare. There would be less children therefore quieter and less a child to adult ratio would be less giving more individual attention. This is what babies need at this stage of the game. Once they are older and can interact with other children then a bigger daycare may be more attractive, they may offer more activities, etc. Just make sure that whether family or regular that they are licensed.

Answer 9

I put my daughter in a family day care for 2 days a week when she was 5 months old. They centers were too expensive, and I didn't like how many children were there. I interviewed several day care providers. The one I chose turned out to be okay, and she really seemed to enjoy caring for my daughter. But if I had to do it over again, I would have kept looking. I think she changed babies' diapers on her own schedule rather than the babies' schedules -- my daughter always ended up w/ a diaper rash after day care, and she NEVER got them while in my care. Twice, her provider told me that my daughter somehow unscrewed the top from her bottle and it dribbled all over her shirt -- again, never happened in my care, and I figured out that she was putting her down for a nap with the bottle (a big no-no). So, after saying all that, I still would recommend family day care for the more homey feeling and personal care, but be very picky about who you choose, and speak up if you don't like the way your child is being cared for. You should start interviewing people now, so you're ready when it's time to put Baby in child care. I got a long list of providers from our county Health Dept. (I think). Good luck, and congratulations.

Answer 10

My son is almost 2 and his in a daycare center {Lehigh Valley Child Care} and loves it there. I use to work in that same Daycare Center before I found out I was pregnant with him. And my parents sent me there when I was lil'. I think it depends all on the daycare provider that you choose for your child.