What are some of the best tips you can give someone about putting their LO in daycare for the first time?
What about tips for getting prepared for going back to work?
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No advice as I'm a sahm, just wanted to say good luck!
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Don't be afraid to call multiple times during the day to check in! I think daycare providers expect it!
Send LOs favorite toy and/or a picture of you & partner with so they have something familiar.
If you're able to and depending on LO's age, you could go for a test run before going back to work. Maybe just go spend a few hours to get both of you used to it. -
I visited the daycare a few times with the LO before her 1st day. The 1st day was still rough for her and the visits probably did nothing to help her acclimate since she was only 6 months old but they made me feel better at least!! I would also write out the schedule you want them to follow so that they know exactly when to feed her (and how much) and when to put your LO down for naps.
I would also schedule your LO's 1st day to be before you go back to work. I had to pick my LO up early for the first two days because she was just very unhappy. But by the third day she was fine and has been ever since!
Good luck!
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LO went to daycare at 12 weeks and had zero issues adjusting. I think he was too young to care about being in a new space with new people, and they held him and fed him and fussed over him, so he was totally happy.
I agree, though, that it's a good idea to ease into it, rather than dropping off LO for the first time for a full day. I think it's useful to go for a couple hours or a half day for a few days before doing a full day.
If you haven't yet, the daycare will probably ask you to label EVERYTHING you send in with LO, so that's good to get started on early. -
We interviewed a provider last night (and I'm in the process of signing the contract to reserve our space today!) and she gave us this tip:
The night before taking the baby to daycare, sleep with a receiving blanket or something else that you can take along. Babies love mommy's smell, and it can help calm them down when nothing else seems to work.
The provider said after about a month of bringing something you sleep with, the baby is adjusted to the new environment, associates mom's smell with the environment and therefore feels safe.
She said this worked wonders with a baby that refused to eat more than 1-2 ounces at the daycare. Mom brought in a nightgown and the provider wrapped the baby in it during feeding times and VIOLA! problem solved. -
If your daycare offers it, do a couple of short term (2-3hr) dropoffs before the actual first day. If LO is very young, they probably won't get upset. My LO was 8 weeks when she started and had not problems; I on the other hand cried the first 3 days i dropped her off (partly because I didn't really want to go back to work but had to).
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@Goldilocks1107: OOh! That's a really good idea. My LO has been refusing to go to sleep w/o the breast and won't take a pacifier either. She definitely won't get the option of the breast at daycare so I think that might be way to help her to calm down if she won't sleep.
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@Goldilocks1107: I will have to try this!! Yesterday was my LO's first day and the caregivers said she would only eat in 0.5 increments and cry at feeding time!
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I'm bumping this to see if anyone else has a tip that I should try.
@Lozza: Thanks - I'm going to start getting the labels ready
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I agree with pp - if possible take LO to day care for a few days before you have to be back at work.
My LO started day care when 8 months old. Zero transition problems. Can't say the same for Mum! I was like a little lost sheep the first day, even though I had been looking forward to some me time. So prepare yourself!
Honestly I wouldn't stress too much about it beforehand as you don't know how your LO will react. My LO loved it from the first minute. You don't want to get yourself all stressed about it as I am sure LO's pick up and react to Mum and Dad's stress.
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