Daycare tips?!?

We started at 4 months. My biggest tip is be ready for the germs! My son and I have been sick almost nonstop since he started daycare in early January.

Also starting at 2.5 months is great. The younger they are, the better they tend to adjust to the new routine. Older kids often understandably have a lot of tears and frustration when they start daycare. But when they start as a baby, it’s a smooth transition.

the US is crazy!

thank you! I have so much guilt about being away from him and putting him in daycare. I’ve started looking for wfh jobs, I’m doing rain dances and lighting candles hoping something comes through. But in the meantime I’m just trying to give myself grace. This was very helpful.

@Jasmine in America they only get 6 weeks off and sometimes that's not even paid as far as I'm aware, not sure if it was meant to come across the way it did but I'm sure if she had a choice she'd stay at home with her little precious babe

Sounds so scary especially his age for you, but I work in a nursery and for him that’s a great age, he’ll get right into routine quick, easy for him then when we’ve had them come in later! But yes when they start they get every germ/illness so be aware. X

wow that’s crazy. I honestly had no idea!! So no my comment wasn’t suppose to come across rude in anyway. X

definitely! Thank you. And yes America is the worst. My maternity leave was fully paid but that is a privilege here.

My Baby Girl started Daycare at 5mo. But she’s been going on and off due to recurring sicknesses she encountered during the Daycare Program. But Fast Forward she’s 1.5 now and Is doing really well. She’s learned so much and has so many words! She says something different every Day. But I’d say prepare for your Child to get sick from time to time and have viruses it’s nothing bad just a way of those colds and viruses building up his immune system. Good Luck Though!

The biggest tip is not to beat yourself up about it. Unfortunately, it's our reality that we're stuck using daycare because we have to work to support our Littles. Germs are going to be huge especially the first year. But they'll get all the illnesses now and when it comes time to really be in school nothing is going to get them. Also don't feel ashamed if you have to call up to the daycare or message them in an app if they use one to check in especially during the first couple of weeks. They're used to it and if you've got a good daycare they aren't going to mind helping give you peace of mind.

thank you! Yes, I made sure the daycare I chose had an app, monitoring system and allowed for drop ins.

I think daycare is great for providing extra stimulation for your baby which will help him in meeting his milestones. He won’t be bored that’s for sure !

it sucks. I work for a large corporation here in the US and I didn’t get a single day of paid leave. I took 4 months off, and didn’t get paid a dime.

This thread is helpful for me too. My baby just hit 10 weeks and I have been trying to work from home for the last month (since 6 weeks, yep USA) but am realizing I can’t do both effective and will need to find childcare ASAP for at least 2 days per week. Other than cost difference, does anyone have thoughts about in-home vs. an agency daycare?

I have heard people express some disappointment with at-home daycares because of lack of resources and educational material. But again that’s not speaking for all at-home ones. People like the more comfortable environment and alot of the time the worker(s) have their own child in the daycare

I’m not going to lie. I’m an educator, but not of littles and im for sure lacking stimulation at home with my lo. I think my lo going to daycare in the fall might be a good thing for her because she’s getting bored of just mama at home.

I have also heard of at home options not being as educational. My boss just told me that her daughter and sil have to switch to daycare because their nanny was allowing too much screen time even after a limit was discussed

I went back when my daughter was 2 months I had to with being a single mom. It was hard and I cried when I left I think no matter what it’s emotionally hard but my biggest thing that helped was allowing myself enough time to get her situated there before leaving like playing or feeding her there then leaving.

it's always best to try to post questions like this in one of the US groups because it's not super helpful to hear how the rest of work world is far ahead in terms of maternity leave and benefits. Sorry if it adds to your guilt. I know it sucks. :-(

Just general daycare tips: form a great relationship with your baby's teachers because you'll be communicating with them constantly. You want to always feel comfortable messaging them with your baby's needs and any concerns you have.

If you need labels, I found great cheap ones on Amazon. Bright Star is good for bottle labels. They have ones that dry erase so you can write the date.

Make sure you have a humidifier and nasal aspirator on hand (we like the battery one). It's true, germs are an issue. Supposedly daycare kids have an easier time with starting school because they already built up an immunity but it's not going to make you feel better in the moment. (Continued below)

Make sure you have your nurse's line in speed dial and make sure you do everything to support your own immune system with vitamins and eating as healthy as you can. Luckily you're starting most of the way through winter so flu/RSV/COVID season should get better soon and hopefully it won't be as bad over summer. We give baby vitamin d drops for extra immune support too.

If it makes you feel better, there are studies that say daycare kids tend to be ahead of their peers socially and perform better academically.

I know you mentioned looking for wfh jobs. My husband and I both wfh ft and it's impossible to take care of baby and work. Something suffers; either we don't get work done or baby would need to nap or entertain themselves and all of the fun activities they eventually do at daycare are way better for baby's development than having a TV babysit them. It is helpful for covering days baby has to be home due to illness, though, if you have an employer who understands that difficulty.

Hang in there 💗

thank you this was super helpful! I’m new to the app and didn’t realize there were US only groups! You had some great suggestions that I will definitely use! Thanks again

@Tamara not all places...I was fortunate to get 12 weeks and know others who received 5 months, which is rare but it's not enough compared to other countries

I work in daycare and omg the kids get sick very bad and every week and becarful of rsv and 2 months is way early make sure they clean and be careful cause some sitters don't care were I use to work the workers don't care at all good luck hope you will find good day care

Be prepared for sickness,
Label any and everything that belongs to your child .
Ask the teacher questions if you have any .
Don’t beat yourself up about checking in often