Please Help! Stressed About Daycare

I see from your "a little about me" line that tomorrow your DD turns 6 mos old! This is such a fun age, but also can be a difficult age for any kind of change and transition. High time for stranger anxiety, etc.

I have done home childcare for over 10 years, and other forms of childcare for a total of 20+ years. In that time I have learned some things. Consider what your home was like for those first 6 mos.....likely it was much less noisy and chaotic than the daycare. It sounded and looked different. And I am sure it smelled different. I firmly believe that all of these things can create a very confusing little world for these babies! They need time to assimilate it all...differnt lighting and things to look at...voices that are not the same as Mommy and Daddy....alot of movement and action...and the smells as well...wehn a baby nurses or bottle feeds they are snuggled up tight and can smell your prefume or other scents...or just the smell of YOU...and now even that basic thing is different!

She will likely adjust in a week or 2...be patient...and the more comfortable she feels, the more you will adjust I am sure....

I tell parents that that is my biggest weakness in this business of caring for kids.....I have never been in your shoes...having to put my precious child in the care of someone who until recently, was a stranger to me. I do not envy you the position, but do agree with the other posters, that it is likely to improve soon.

Good luck!

Hi Jennifer,

A few questions...does your provider take your baby from your arms? Does she talk lovingly and make eye contact with her? Does she hold her when she is fed? When you watch her with her provider, can you sense that your provider has or is bonding with your child? These signs will help your daughter bond with her provider and over a short period of time (2-3 weeks) will help her adjust to daycare.

Hang in there Jennifer...it will get better!

p.s. I have a sweet little Cassie, too!

Hi Jennifer!
I too was stressed about daycare when my daughter Vivianna was born last fall. I don't know what you do for work these days but I found this great company to work from home with. It has been a HUGE blessing for me and my family. I can now watch my little Vivi grow while at home. We don't have to sell anything or deliver stuff either, which I think is great because I am not a sales lady at all! If this is something you may be interested in; visit my website www.workingathomemomma.com and request for more info from me! If not, I wish you the best of luck with daycare, I know it is hard and can be frustrating but hold in there!

It usually takes 1-2 weeks for the little ones to be adjusted. My dd was was in 5 daycares by age3. She managed and got use to it fairly quickly. They do pick up on our feelings and emotions so try and be upbeat when your dropping off etc.

Hi Jennifer

I am a daycare teacher I am in the baby room . I have found the first week is the hardest for little ones to adjust . Just let the teachers know how you are feeling . Mabye hand her off to the teacher and let her wave to you as you are leaving blow her kisses . If you have a lunch hour and can stop in and see her drop in and visit . The teachers should be open to that they always like extra hands .If it is to hard for her to see you and then have you leave again mabey see is grandma or grandpa would like to visit once in a while or dad . Most daycares have open door policies . If they have a problem then I sugest you find a new daycare .
Good luck

Chances are she'll adjust fairly soon. Just provide lots of love and attention when you are with her at the end of the day.

But I just want to remind people that not all kids adjust. Watch for signs of continued stress or differing behavior at home compared to daycare. My DS adjusted easily to daycare at 7 months but at 16 months started a downward spiral that led to sleep difficulties and major behavior problems. After we pulled him out at age 23 months we discovered that he had sensory processing disorder and so the daycare setting had been pure torture for him.

Yes, a couple weeks. My in home provider suggests up to a month to adjust. As always, keep a routine. And in the evening, forget about those dishes until shes in bed...just enjoy the time you have with her. Make sure you sit down with her in the morning for breakfast, too. I have 3 in day care and they all do really well. Just wait until she's having so much fun she doesn't want to go home with you!!