WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

I'm due with #2 in February, DD will be 2 in March. The plan is to start her in daycare and have a family member watch the baby when I return to work PT. DD will go to daycare 1 full day and 1 half day a week (the center we plan to use won't do less than that, although we really only need one day).

I don't want to throw too much at her at once- Start school, new baby, new room (baby will move into her old nursery once he/she is out of our room). I originally thought we'd start her in daycare in December so she'd have time to get used to it before baby arrived. Now I keep hearing all these horror stories of how your kid will be constantly sick once they start daycare. I can deal with that except for the thought of her bringing all this to the newborn.

Now I'm wondering if we should wait till the baby is here for 2 1/2 months THEN have DD go to daycare. I'm hoping that would be enough time for her to adjust a bit to the new sibling? I will go back to work at 12 weeks and I figured I'd at least want to start her a week or two before that so we can ease into it. I really don't want to make her feel pushed out or overwhelmed by too much change at once. I would love any BTDT or just other parent's advice.

eta- I'm thinking to wait until after the baby arrives and is at least 2 months old before bringing on the germs. I would HATE for DD to bring home a fever to the baby and wind up needing a spinal tap. Am I worrying too much?

Message edited 10/17/2012 9:40:34 PM.

WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

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Re: WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

It's a tough call - I think if you can start her in December, that would be my suggestion. That would give her time to adjust to the routine. She's not going that often, so adjusting will take time. Unfortunately there's not much you can do about the illness factor. I guess having your newborn sick at 2-months is better than sick earlier... but my inclination would be to have you available to help the older one adjust to daycare, so that hopefully by Feb., she'll feel okay with going. (Just an FYI - my son had a hard time adjusting to daycare, so I'm sensitive to that kind of transition).

WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

Kids are sick no matter where they are. You and your DH will be bringing just as many germs in the house. My DS has been in daycare since 8 weeks and all he has ever had was a cold. But the babies I know that are home and go to various playgroups have had every virus etc under the sun. Daycare kids get sick just as much as anyother kid unless you keep them in a bubble.

I would put DD in daycare in Dec. It will give you time to ease her into it. Maybe only do 1 day the first week. They do the 1.5 days. I have seen many kids at DS daycare have a tough time in the beginning.

WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

honestly, I worried alot.. ds is 3, we were going to pull him out of his daycare when the baby was born and find a better one when my leave was over and put both in.... I unexpectedly had to pull him out sooner, and having him in the new one the last couple months made me feel sooo much better knowing the new baby will be in good hands there too...

I was/am OCD so we weren't going to have ds go at all while I was on leave, but the pediatrician said just to wipe the hands/face and change clothes when you get them home from daycare to limit the germs. We had decided to do 1 day a week, but after this week decided to do 2, so that ds gets plenty of play and learning there and I don't have to be constantly back and forth between the baby feedings/changings, then his and entertaining him.

eta- yeah they pick up alot of germs - in the infant room..... in the toddler room they aren't slobbering and sharing toys as much.

Message edited 10/18/2012 9:58:18 AM.

Re: WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

I'd start her in the routine before the baby - IMO, it would be harder if she's used to being home w/ you and the baby, and then is suddenly getting 'shipped off' to school KWIM?

As for getting sick - Kids get sick.
My 2 year old continued daycare only 2x a week full day when I was on leave w/ the second b/c I didn't want to completely kill his routine .....The baby got sick, but he would have gotten sick in daycare too .......it's much more difficult to shelter them when there is a sibling in the hosue.

Re: WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

Dec

Newborn is easier to deal with in my mind that a few months later. Newbies sleep a lot more so if your DD is sick you can manage it easier. It also gives your DD time to get used to it and you too.

Re: WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

Re: WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

I'm not sure what I would do.

I think the earlier you start a routine, the easier it is for everyone. If she's in daycare & used to going, it would be easier on her. I would not do the transitions at once & having her in daycare will give you time you're going to need for recovery & to be with dd2. We let my son stay home for a few days when my daughter was born & he became a little terror because he was completely off schedule.

That said, my son brought cox sackie home & my daughter needed a spinal tap at 2 weeks old.

Even with that, I'm leaning towards getting her into & familiar with daycare (like a big girl!). If I had to go back in time, the only thing I'd do differently is keep them separated a little more & practice better handwashing at home.

Re: WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

Thanks for the responses. I think we will stick with sometime in December as previously planned. I will just give her a bath as soon as she gets home and cross my fingers that she doesn't get too sick. Aside from her fingers here and there, DD doesn't put much in her mouth anymore.

Re: WWYD: When to start DD in daycare.

I would def put her in before the baby because its a hard transition having a sibling..she may think she is being sent to daycare BECAUSE of the baby being home with you. If its in her routine already she hopefully will not associate that change with the other change (baby)

Also find a day care you trust is doing all they can with germs, cleaning and illness. All kids get sick but I know some places are more strict with keeping kids in when sick than others. I worked in a day care that did not have a 'strict' go home when sick policy but the day care my baby goes to will not let them stay when sick (although he still managed to catch a cold his first week in!) they say newborns will have immunity from mom which will help and s/he will sleep often so you can more easily keep isolated at home and like others said 'more time' to care for older dd if she does get sick when newborn is sleeping.

i think a bath right after day care is a good idea