I just had my daughter six weeks ago and she was six weeks premature so she is just now due. My maternity leave is over and have to take her to day care she only weighs seven pounds I am really scared and dont know how to handle it. The doctor says she will be alright and the daycare is for employees of my work and is right up the road and she will only be there for three hours a day and my husband will be picking her up but I still am not dealing with this well at all.
2007-03-22 19:35:31 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Its a call that only you can make, it is going to be really hard for you, like it is for most Mum's going back to work.
As far as the daycare is concerned, remember that to you your baby is huge now compared to when she was born, wheras to the daycare staff she will still seem really tiny so I would imagine human nature says "go into overprotective mode" and you will find that they take even more care of her than of a normal size newborn. My daughter was 7 weeks early and like your daughter was just about approaching a normal weight by her due date. To me she was my big strong girl, but looking back at the pics of her she was miniscule - no wonder people were scared of her lol
I made the choice with her to work from home, is this a possibilty for you at all?
If there are no alternatives to going back so soon, there's no advice anyone can really give. It's going to be tougher on you than it is on her is about all I can tell you.
Keep strong and enjoy your little miracle.
2007-03-23 10:17:40 · answer #1 · answered by EspritDogs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are in the united states, you are legally allowed 16 weeks off. It's the family medical leave act. You won't get paid but you can look into it as an option.
Perhaps you and your husband could sit down and crunch some numbers. Might it be possible for you to be a stay at home mom? 6 weeks is so young, and she's so small.. I understand your worries.
I went to work after my baby and stayed only a week and then became a stay at home mom. I have never regretted it, even when we've been broke. There are programs such as WIC that help moms and children.
Try to get some more info and see if there is a way you could at least stay with her a few more weeks. That is what I would do at least.
Best wishes and congrats on your new baby.
2007-03-23 02:48:09 · answer #2 · answered by dog's best friend 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh man. I wouldn't be dealing with it well either. 3 hours a day isn't much and tons of mothers and babies have done it before you and made it just fine but that is so early to be seperated. There is something seriously wrong with a government that forces mothers of a 6 week old back to work. I got a year maternity leave with my son in Canada and I couldn't imagine it any other way. I then went back to work for a year and a half full time but couldn't handle it and quit. I am now a stay at home mom and it is the best decision I could have made. I don't suppose there is any chance you could do the same or even cut back on your work for the time being?
2007-03-23 02:44:52 · answer #3 · answered by kirby_669 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everything will work out fine if you choose the right daycare and make sure the employees know the situation, its there job to care for your child. I did 2 yrs in early childhood, whenever we got the newborns we took xtra care of them, I am sure they will take VERY good care of your baby! Don't worry!!!! Just go to work, stay focused and I know it will be hard, but stay focused and let God watch after her like He has been doin thus far! Just do your research and find out if this daycare is where you want her to be!!!! GOOD LUCK! And congrats on yur lil lady! Enjoy these early days, i have a 19 month old sassy chick who was also premature and her biological mom isa crack head, so she was all messed up at birth...but she is healthy now! GROWN WITH A TUDE!
2007-03-23 02:50:20 · answer #4 · answered by Tee'sLADYandKEY'sMOMMY 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, stay home with her if you can. Preemies are more likely to get sick especialy at a day care. You might want to find someone to stay at your house with her one on one so you can make sure she is being taken care of. If you need to take her there than I am sure you have asked the day care a million questions and have given them direction so your baby will be fine. Do not ever be scared to speak up to anyone at daycare. They work for YOU and if you have a concern you have every right to address it, don't be afraid to let your motherly instincts take over. Good luck, everything will be fine.
2007-03-23 02:45:35 · answer #5 · answered by Army_Wife 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
6 weeks is nothing! I can't believe that...
Here in Canada we get up to a year, and even that seems like it's too short!
The good news is that your doctor says it's ok, and 3 hours a day really isn't that long. I'm sure your daughter will be well-looked after, and you'll get used to it in no time.
Good luck!
2007-03-23 03:11:04 · answer #6 · answered by catwomanmeeeeow 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is there any way to get a family member to watch the baby for you for the time being. If not, just make sure that the daycare has experience with babies this small, and also make sure that they will provide a bit or alot more special attention, even if it cost a bit more.
2007-03-23 02:45:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a baby will be in better hands than a toddler because the child will be sleeping all day. and dont tell the daycare when your husband is going to pick up the child just have him drop in. the only thing your child may get is a cold but children get colds no matter what. Itll be hard at first I never talked a mom who it wasnt hard for and then itll be better. i stayed home with my son and i regret it because if he would of been put in daycare he would of been more social.
2007-03-23 02:46:22 · answer #8 · answered by oneandonlyness 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋