Transition to Daycare

I still have about a month left of maternity leave, but I am already so upset about transitioning DD to daycare. It's going to be so hard, but we don't have any other choice. It's going to be 5 days a week, 1o hours a day and I am so upset already :(

When did you start getting DC ready for daycare? I mean getting used to the new schedule, using bottles, etc.?

How hard was the transition for DC? I'm worried that DD likes to nap in her swing, RNP, etc. and daycare won't have those exact things. Also nervous how she will do being apart from mommy for so long.

Any other tips or words of advice?

EDITED: thanks so much for the tips!

DD is breastfed but she actually seems to prefer the bottle. Sometimes I have to pump and feed her that way so I'm not that worried about that part.

What about transitioning to feeding at a certain time in the am - I will want to feed her before we leave for the day, etc. that is what I meant by transitioning to bottles (which was not clear at all!, sorry)

Message edited 3/6/2013 2:58:03 PM.

Transition to Daycare

My dd started daycare at 3 months old and honestly, it was harder on me than it was on her. She did great from day one. Never had an issue at all. I feel like it is almost good to start them that young, because they have no idea what is going on. As long as their needs are being met (ie, feeding, sleeping, diaper changes) they are happy.

I definitely cried my first day. I think what helped me was putting her in part-time the week before I returned to work. She went 3 days for about 5-6 hours the week before. It really was more for me than for her. I got all my crying done in that trial week, so when I actually went back to work - I felt comfortable.

ETA: If you are EBF - definitely get her used to a bottle sooner rather than later. I was pretty lax about the bottle when I was with her and she definitely had a hard time taking it at first until we found the right bottle for her. We went through 4 different brands of bottles until we settled on Dr. Brown's finally.

Also - start pumping and storing up a freezer supply NOW - if you haven't started already. My biggest regret is not stocking up more. I ran out of all my freezer supply when I had a major dip in supply. Luckily I was able to get it back up with Fenugreek and Mother's Milk Tea.

Good luck!

Message edited 3/6/2013 12:08:25 PM.

Transition to Daycare

My DS started daycare at 8 weeks. He had no issues transitioning. He had NEVER slept (nap or at night) in his crib and slept in theirs with no issues!!!!
He was formula fed so we had no issues with bottles but from what others have told me I would try a bottle sooner than later in case you do have a transition time.

As far as schedule - my daycare doesn't do a set schedule for newborns, they go off of the babies schedule. It wasn't until DS moved to the 1YO room was he put on a set schedule for the classroom.

Theya re so young they actually doo great without mommy. It isn't until they are older that they realize. My DS is 14 months now and is great in daycare. He gets sad after DH drops him off but they tell me it lasts a few mintues until he gets involved in an activity. DS goes 3 days a week for 10hrs and we will be puttin him in full time sometime over the next year. He has learned so much there and he is amazing with other kids.

I am of the opinion that daycare (the right one) is amzing for kids and yes even babies. DS learned from beign around other kids. I beleive he learned how to walk so early because he watched the other kids learn how to do it.

Transition to Daycare

This is easier said than done, but try not to stress over it. We put DD in daycare at 6 months. I was completely freaked out. She did not like strangers at all and was so strict with her schedule. I could not believe how well she took to daycare. She loved her teachers and playing with the other kids. They did have a swing and other things. Kids are so different at school than they are at home. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised with how well your DC adjusts.

Re: Transition to Daycare

DD went to daycare at 4 months.

No bottle transition as she is ff. DD has two other infants in her class that are both bf and they are doing great! I've seen them both since they were infant-infants, like 2-3 months old.

DD also only napped in her swing, she went from taking three - 1.5-2 hr naps per day to a couple of 30 min power naps at daycare. She transitioned pretty easily. It didn't throw off our bedtime schedule either.

No tips for mommy b/c I didn't cry when I dropped her off the first day. I was kind of in the mindset - gotta do what you gotta do. Plus, I feel like she gets more out of it than I could give her at home. I really, really, really love our daycare so that helps immensely.

Have you looked into specific daycares?