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How old is your LO?
Mine has been in daycare since he was 12 weeks old but when he transitioned from the infant room to the toddler room, I was worried - he wasn't used to napping on a mat, 1 nap a day, drinking from sippy cups, sitting in a chair vs a high chair to eat, etc and he did really well. At first he sat by himself in the room and didn't engage with the other kids but after a few weeks or a month he definitely was more group oriented - he likes to sit with the group now and be more involved. And he transitioned that first week to the 1 nap, sippy cup, sleeping on a mat - I was impressed with how smoothly it went. He still had 2 naps on weekends for awhile. I think he really likes the routine and social interaction that daycare provides for him.

We started an in-home daycare today. My son is 16 months old and we went for informal playdates a few times before the holidays so he could get used to the place and his new caretakers. We were with him the whole time and never left him there alone. It did not go well - he was clingy and upset every time we went, he'd went ape when either me or DH went to the bathroom, would start crying hysterically as soon as we pulled up, etc.

Today was his first day and my husband handled drop off. We were so stressed out about it because of how he acted during the play dates. My husband, who is usually not bothered by most things regarding our son (i.e. CIO and sleeptraining did not bother him in the slightest), was actually really upset by how freaked out our son acted at his playdates and so we were both so sad and worried for him.

Drop off went terribly and our son was HYSTERICAL according to DH.

BUT our caretaker called my husband 2 minutes later - like before he got to the first major street to drive home - and said DS was totally fine, he stopped crying, and that he was a-okay. I'm also nervous how naps will go because while DS is on one nap, but their nap time is a little different and shorter than his regular nap. Plus its a big communal nap room while DS has only ever slept alone in a pitch black room with a white noise machine. We'll see how it goes - our caretaker says typically it takes kids a week to transition to the nap room.

So no real advice, but just encouragement. Fingers crossed about the naps, but if it helps my son was already transitioning to 1 nap by 12 months (fighting naps, taking shorter naps, etc) and sometime in his 13th month we bit the bullet and went to one nap and he's been doing great ever since.

My son started daycare at 1. We had a transition week. The first day I stayed with him and he sat in my lap for the full 2 hours that we were there. The second day we left him for 2 hours and the daycare ladies held him the whole time. It's a big change and it's hard on them and it's hard on you but she'll get used to it, probably faster than you expect.

She will get there! I actually don't really believe in the transition thing with you being there. I think they do much better when they're on their own and in the full routine - the sooner the better. I'm sure she will get into the swing of things quickly.

DS had his first full day. Caretaker said he ate really well and even napped well. He just mostly stuck close to the caretaker all day and played with some toys by himself. So take heart!