How to get baby to adjust going back to daycare..

Question

I have to go back to school in about 2 1/2 weeks. I have been home with my daughter for almost 3 months. When I was in school last year she went to daycare, from 7 weeks to 10 1/2 months. Now it is almost time for daycare again and I am a little worried how the transition will go.

Has anyone been home with baby for months at a time then they had to go back to daycare?

How was the transition?

What can I do to help the transition go a little smoother, or will it not be a problem?

By the way, she is 13 months now and will be nearly 14 months when she goes back to daycare.

Answer 1

I can emphasize with you.  My son was born last April on the Sunday before finals.  My professors were good enough to email me my finals and let me email them back, or pick up a copy from their office and take it back, so I didn't have to worry about going on campus to take finals right after giving birth.  Since he was born right at the end of the semester, I had all summer off before I started classes again, which was almost 6 months (from April 9th to the beginning of September).  

I took classes from the beginning of September to the middle of December, then from the beginning of January to the first week of April, and have been off since.  The next semester starts September 8th, so again I've had about 5 months off.  It's been hard, but I'm more nervous this time than I was last time.  Last time my friend baby sat for us with her daughter who is the same age as my son.  She's my friend, so I knew her well and was really comfortable with her, but she's pregnant now so I have to find a "real" sitter.  It's going to be interesting.

Okay, so to actually answer your question... how do you get her used to going back to daycare?  I'm guessing that she's going to enjoy spending that time there.  She's old enough to play and interact with the other kids there, which is a good distraction.  When she goes to daycare she's going to have two big changes happen at once: not being with you or your family all day, and not being at home all day.  You could try taking her out on some day trips so that she starts to get used to the idea of having fun, being happy, and being secure even when she's not at home.  If you can do it with just you, or as few people as possible, the better.  If your daycare and your finances allow, it might help to send her for some partial days a few days before.  She can spend 2-3 hours a day at day care for a few days so that she can star to get used to the idea of being happy and secure some where else.

What ever you do I know you're going to do great.  You made me remember that I've got it pretty easy.  I'm only leaving Alex with a sitter for about 12 hours a week, but you're going to be gone for 30+ hours a week.  You impress me so much!

Answer 2

just take her there she will be fine and the staff know alll about returning posible screaming children,,,send her/w her favorite little dolly so she wont be alone,,,wink

Answer 3

Take her in this week and introduce her to her caregiver. Some daycares switch rooms at certain ages so she may have never had contact with caregiver for the room. Take her in a couple times and then take her and drop her off for a half day, just a couple hours so that she realizes that yes mommy is coming back. Build it up over the next 2 weeks, include a nap time so she and the caregiver can set some sort of routine with each other. Before you are back in school take her for a whole day so that if there are any problems the daycare can get in touch with you and you will be able to respond.