Daycare Moms (Infant related)

are there any moms here who put their baby in daycare at 6 weeks old? we are expecting in july and my original plan was to stay home for close to 3 months but now i am on short term disability for strict bed rest and will only get 6 weeks of leave when our son arrives.

please tell me the good, bad and ugly of putting the baby in daycare at 6 weeks....i'm super worried about this :(


TIA

Daycare Moms (Infant related)

Look...you have to do what you have to do. Would you want that extra 6 weeks with your DS, of course but its not in the cards. The only difference between 6 weeks old and 12 weeks old is the food consumption and alertness. He will be ok. Its you that will be a wreck. The anticipation of that dreaded day is a lot worse than the actual day.

To make you feel more comfortable, make sure you get to know your daycare and possibly visit there random times during the day.

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

no but we started at 11 weeks its not the end of the world. have you already found a daycare? can you choose a nanny at home for the first few weeks or months?

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

thanks girls i haven't already found a daycare but i'm looking now. we are moving in a week so i was waiting until i knew for sure where we'd be living. i'm also not sure if i'll be home 6 or 8 weeks (depends on vaginal or c-section birth).

i thought about getting a nanny for a month or two until he's older for daycare but that terrifies me as well. i guess we will look at all options and see what works.

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

I put both of my kids in daycare at 6 weeks. I own my own business and had to work at least part time pretty quickly. I honestly think it was much harder for me than for them. Both kids did just fine. The good part was getting into a routine very quickly. My kids are now and always have been great when I drop them off at daycare. No tears, they enjoy it there and they got used to it from an early age. Good luck

Daycare Moms (Infant related)

Ds started at 8 weeks. I would have put him in at 6 if I had too. IMO there wasn't much difference in Him between 6-8 weeks.

I had no issue with it. I knew from day one that's what we were doing.

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

we're going to have to put the baby in daycare very early too, so I feel your pain! I think we have to do what we have to do

Daycare Moms (Infant related)

Luckily for you, it's still the summer, so your baby won't get the sickness until it is older.

I sent DD at 4 months, but there was a baby recently who was only 8 or so weeks.

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

I just wanted to say when I had a daycare a lot of infants start daycare between 6-8 weeks. It is hard for you to leave them so young but they all do really well. The good thing about this age is that they don't have any separation anxiety and they get use to their care givers really fast which makes it a bit easier on you.

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

No need to worry, your baby will be perfectly ok!! Like a pp said it is always harder on the mom.

Tour as many facilities as possible and find one you're comfortable with that has an open door policy. Even though I was fortunate enough to be able to stay home the full 12 weeks it is nice to know that even though he's a little older I can stop in and spend my lunch with DS. It makes it SO much easier.

And you never know, try talking to your employer... a girl who works for me was on bed rest for three months and we still granted her the full 12 weeks after her twins were born. Your boss may surprise you!

Good luck!!!

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

We did at 8 weeks... no problem.

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

I did at 8 weeks. Its very very hard I can tell you that but he was fine there. He is now over 2 and still in daycare and loves to go to "school" everyday! He is very social and knows his entire alpha bet and speaks in full sentences. Downside: First year of his life he got a lot of colds and other things from being around other kids. Dr. says by the time he is in kindergarden he will hardly be sick (which is a plus!)


I would try to wait until 8 weeks if possible or when your LO starts getting the shots that are given around then.

GL! FM me if you have any questions. It's hard but everyday gets easier.

edit: It's harder for you then it will be for LO. But it wont be as bad as your thinking it will be!

Message edited 5/25/2013 1:16:07 AM.

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

We put her in daycare at 8 weeks old.
It was rough at first but we got into a routine quickly and it was great.
DD is now 2 and at the same daycare and she loves it.
The care takers in her infant room taught me so much. I was a first time mom, clueless, with a colic baby who screamed 24/7. They had great tips for calming her and getting her to sleep.
All in all it was the best thing for both of us! No regrets at all. The key is finding a daycare you love and trust.

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

thanks all!!

Daycare Moms (Infant related)

cAN YOU apply for FMLA & get the extra 12 weeks. Yes, it will probably be unpaid but your job is secure and can be with baby

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

we started at 12 weeks, but daycare was the best thing we did for her! At two years old, we see the benefits of daycare! She LOVES it and cries when she leaves- I know everyone has a different perspective on it and of course I'd rather be home with her than work, but this was the next best thing- and it really works out!!

Re: Daycare Moms (Infant related)

Posted by maymama

Posted by beanie571

Posted by mrsyoungmommy

Luckily for you, it's still the summer, so your baby won't get the sickness until it is older.

The sickness?

first winter, they tend to pick up every little bug. my son did BUT he wasnt sick at all his second and third winters