7 Week Old in Daycare

Hi E.,

I know how you feel! My second will be going to daycare in about 4 weeks. I have been able to stay at home with him for a totall of 12 weeks. My 1 son went at 12 weeks as well. It is very hard to leave them bit as long as they are feed, changed and loved they will be fine. I'm more worried about my little catching colds from his big brother who is 3. Hang in there and she will be fine.

I feel for you. My kids have been in daycare since they were 13 weeks of age. The first day leaving them is horrible. On top of leaving your baby for the 1st time for so long, your post pregnancy hormones are still raging so that doesn't help your emotions. Then the next day is bad, then the day after is less bad and each day gets less and less bad.
You have to tell yourself that you know you researched the daycare and you are leaving your baby with well qualified people who will love and care for your baby. You need to do this for yourself and your family so that you can support and provide for them.
Yes, the baby is very young, but the good thing is, they don't need much care and are so easily adaptable to their surroundings. As long as they are fed, changed and held, they will be happy.

Maternity leave in this country sucks, doesn't it? I know it's hard, but your little baby girl will be fine. At that age they don't have the separation anxiety. I was lucky enough to have 3 months of maternity leave, so I could wait and put them in at that age, and even then as long as they were changed and fed and warm and loved, they were fine. Their development is normal, they are happy and well-adjusted. My daughter is 3 and my son is 7 months. They love their teachers and bond with them as well. You will still be special mama, don't worry about that.
The only concern I would have is exposure to colds and other day care illnesses, so maybe you can be extra careful about washing your hands and your older child's hands between day care and home before carrying your baby? Perhaps load the car with your bags and then you and your older kid wash hands together before getting the baby. I would expect more colds if she's in day care so young, but that's about it. I would be stringent about vaccinating your older child against the flu, and ask the day care people about illnesses going around. These are the same precautions I took for my 3-month old when I had to put him in and my 3 year old was going, except for the hand washing. Maybe I should have done that, but I didn't.

I can relate. i am in the same position. i will be putting my 7 week old in day care Feb. 1st i am very nervous. I was able to keep my other daughter home until one and 1/2 and even then she was just in mom day out programs. So i am very anxious. I am looking for day care or in home daycare. do you have any suggestions. I am sure it was a hard choice for you as well. N. W.

Do you have a good daycare? I totally sympathize as I have to leave my 8 week old. I'm lucky in that he'll stay home with my husband and have daddy time. I feel for you so much and wish there was some sort of "professional mother" stipend that the government would pay so that moms who want could stay home. I hope it all goes well for you. Hang in there ok

I know how you feel. My baby was just released from the NICU a few weeks ago and I have to leave her too. She was born at 25 weeks so this is really breaking my heart. Where are you taking your baby. I have someone coming to my home to watch my two girls.