So A has started his "trial" run of daycare (2 hours a day) - I've dropped him off twice at the woman's apartment/daycare and it was... rough.
Yesterday he was clearly overtired (that's a whoooooole 'nother issue), and basically started wailing as soon as she took him. She tried soothing him, rocking him, feeding him and nothing really worked for about 15 minutes. He finally started eating, and I left. When I arrived, he was crying (she said he had just woken up) but she held onto him for a little bit and sort of settled him.
Today, he wasn't as tired and seemed better - was smiling and laughing at DCP when I left. When I got there, he was still sleeping, but when he woke up he just started crying. Then started WAILING with little tears were streaming down his face (this was while she was still holding him). I felt so terrible And the poor 2 year old little boy she also watches kept going over to him and patting his head/rubbing his leg and giving him back his paci. Nothing really worked. She seemed unphased though, hah.
Question is (and this is a stupid one) -- can he really tell that it's not our apartment and not me? He's been fine with grandparents (all 3 sets) and my SILs when they watched him, but it was always in our apartment. Is it because he's in a new environment, plus being watched by someone he doesn't know?
I know that they can smell mama... but then why would he be okay with family? I thought they develop separation anxiety later...
I feel so bad since he seems upset that it's not me or DH there And I feel bad for her and the other kiddos because his wailing seems to have frightened them (the 2yo boy today, and a 9 mo old little girl yesterday)!
Thanks in advance!
Re: mamas with LO in daycare come in!
I'm sorry, listening to your baby cry is so rough! They adjust so quickly though so I hope this passes quickly!
I do think LOs can sense different places, and just like everyone has a different personality the differences can affect LOs at different levels. On the upside, after he gets used to this place and learns it's a happy and fun place he should be able to be more adaptable in the future!