https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 15:59:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2012001 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:22:24 +0000 daniellemybelle 2012001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gilmoregirl: I hope it goes really well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2011997 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:20:28 +0000 lamariniere 2011997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was 2 when he started. It wasn't easy. He would cry every day for 3 weeks when it was time to go. The first week I stayed several hours every day (but he was only there half days anyway). Once he got used to it, he really blossomed and liked going. </p> <p>My DD is actually starting daycare tomorrow at 13 months. She has had a regular sitter since she was 4 months though, so at least she is used to being away from me. Hopefully it will be a smoother transition for her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2011702 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 11:31:03 +0000 Mamaof2 2011702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD was a bit older at 15 months - she cried at drop-off for 3 weeks straight but they assured me that once I was gone she was fine and happy during the day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2011692 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 11:28:57 +0000 Espion 2011692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gilmoregirl: For us, it was rough as well, but E started at 17 months after a couple months of daddy daycare. It was a tough 2.5 weeks where he cried with drop-off and pickup. (He would cling to us while we gathered his stuff like we were going to leave him again. :( ) But they do so many activities and the teachers are so involved and engaging that he slowly warmed up to it, and now he's excited to go! I despaired that the crying would last, but it just took time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2011498 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 09:59:11 +0000 gilmoregirl 2011498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: This is really helpful to read, thank you. I'm glad your LO is doing so well now. I'm trying to have as few expectations as possible going into this, because I really don't know how my LO will handle it, but it's nice to know that even if it's terrible it gets better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2011206 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 01:01:52 +0000 daniellemybelle 2011206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at 10 months and it was really, really rough. She was at the height of separation anxiety and had never been left anywhere (we had babysitters but always at home). We had also just moved too so it was a lot of change. Oh, and she only went 2 days per week which made it harder. We temporarily went 3 days per week which helped a lot. Eventually she stopped crying all day and now she loves it! She was the worst case any of the teachers and directors had seen, but after a month it was ancient history, so I'm confident you will get through it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2010402 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 15:08:06 +0000 gilmoregirl 2010402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Interesting. The director never mentioned anything about this, but I'll have to call and ask, because we might be stuck paying for a full week for Friday-only care anyway. My husband will be there for a few hours with LO on Friday at least.</p> <p>@tinyperson: That sounds like it could be really helpful in easing my LO (and me, let's be honest) into the transition. I wish I had planned on it earlier.</p> <p>@jhd: Thank you! I feel so, so ready to get back to work, but I am really getting nervous about the change. We've had a pretty good rhythm lately. I wish he were sleeping better before I start getting up at 5:30 am for work again, but what are you going to do? :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2010219 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:48:59 +0000 tinyperson 2010219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gilmoregirl: For the week leading up to our start date, we visited. The first day, we were there 30-45 minutes (I stayed with her), the second day we were there an hour, the third day I left her for an hour or so, the fourth day I left her for a couple of hours, and then on the last day, she had lunch there with the kids. I took her in later than usual on her first official day too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2010216 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:47:47 +0000 jhd 2010216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gilmoregirl: no advice but good luck! I hope things go smoothly for both of you during the transition! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2010181 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:34:05 +0000 Pumuckl 2010181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO started just about at the same age as your LO. He has never had issues with being away from me though so his transition was easy also over here (we're abroad) there's a transition period where one parent stays with LO in the beginning. Maybe something like that would help your LO transition more easierly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2010039 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 12:39:48 +0000 Mrs. Bee 2010039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>charlie started at 21 months and olive started at 16 months. we were at that daycare for a long time between the two kids, and it was always easier for kids that were younger (1 year and under) to make the transition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2010032 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 12:36:35 +0000 Anagram 2010032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gilmoregirl: a lot of daycares will let you do a "transition" at least one day (sometimes more) in advance.</p> <p>I started back to work on a Monday, but the week before I had two days that I went to the daycare with LO. The first day, we went together and she just "met" her teachers and I explained her eating/sleeping schedule and they even had me feed her a bottle in front of them, just so they could see how LO interacts. The second day, I dropped her off for just 3 hours and then picked her up.</p> <p>Then the next Monday, I dropped her off for the full day and she was there while I went to work for the first time since having her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2010000 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 12:19:49 +0000 gilmoregirl 2010000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tinyperson: What do you mean by week of transition? Based on my schedule, his first day of daycare is a Friday, which feels awful to me. It's just the way my first day works out though. My husband is going to do drop off and stay with him for a bit to help him adjust. </p> <p>I've been debating whether we should send him for more days next week, but it's all or nothing and financially it's really tight for us. </p> <p>@.twist.: @Grace: Thanks! I'm figuring his sleep will be a bit wonky since he's used to being with me and napping at home, but he handled Christmas travel pretty well so I'm hoping for not the absolute worst :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2009967 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 11:57:12 +0000 .twist. 2009967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started L at 12 months and he was upset the first few drop offs, but when we picked him up he was happy as a clam. It's been 6 months and there are good drop offs and bad drop offs and I think that will be the way it is for the entirety of his Daycare experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2009965 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 11:55:23 +0000 Grace 2009965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO started just shy of 13 months. We took her to visit every day for an hour (DH stayed too) for 1-2 weeks before her start day. Once she was going on her own, she would cry when we left but was always happy after 10 min. The crying when we left lasted a good month, but after that she was excited to go! Oh, her sleep was also messed up for ~ 2 weeks after starting too (new routine messes up her sleep). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2009962 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 11:53:18 +0000 tinyperson 2009962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started daycare at 13 months and she did great! She's usually very cautious, but warmed up right away (new toys! exciting!) and has only cried at drop off one week when she was teething and not sleeping well). We did a week of transition though, so it wasn't a shock to either of our systems!</p> <p>Hope you have a similar experience - and you're right, kids are really adaptable. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-your-lo-started-daycare-as-an-older-baby#post-2009960 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 11:46:59 +0000 gilmoregirl 2009960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How did the transition go? </p> <p>My son will be starting daycare next week at just about 9.5 months and I'm getting pretty nervous. He has some stranger/separation anxiety but he often surprises me with just how adaptable he really is. I think I sometimes underestimate how well he can do without me :wink: </p> <p>Anyway, my rational brain says the adjustment will be tough, but he's going to do great when he is used to it. My mommy brain is freaking out though. </p> <p>So, any tips, stories, advice? </p>