Helping LO transition to Daycare

cmacoct2012

I'm just wondering if you have any advice for transitioning my LO into daycare. She will be starting full-time daycare in the middle of August when I go back to work (she will be 9 months). In particular, I'm worried about her being able to nap (she puts herself to sleep but I always sing and cuddle with her before she goes down). She also seems to be having some separation anxiety right now...this will hopefully pass by August, but who knows....how did you help your LO go from spending every minute with you, to being away all day in a strange setting?  Maybe I'm the one that needs time to adjust I'm just really nervous about it and was hoping you would have some tips and advice for an easier transition. Thanks  

iverske9

It is usually tougher on the parents than the kids. She will have a time of adjustment, especially with the napping. My son went from a nanny to daycare at 18 months. He cried when I dropped him off, but after 2 minutes gone he would forget and play. The napping took about a week and a half for him to adjust. Now he sleeps two hours a day on a cot! Can you start your LO a week or two before you go back? This will give you and LO time to adjust.

cmacoct2012

Yes, I'm planning on easing her into it one week before. They suggested at least 3 days, but I'd like to do it a bit longer. Did you do a transition week? How did you do it? I've had some daycares suggest coming with her for an hour or 2 the first day, and then leaving her for an hour or 2 the next day, and then half day, then full day. This daycare didn't mention staying with her for the first day. I'm wondering which would be better? Personally I think staying with her for the first day (1-2 hours) would be helpful, but that might just be what would be easier on ME LOL

emberlee3

It is totally normal for a child not to eat or sleep on their first day (or more).  Don't worry and just give extra snuggles/feedings when you get home.  Separation anxiety is likely to be more intense as she gets older, but it's not something to worry about.  DD just transitioned from a nanny to daycare.  I called to check on her a few times the first 2 days, now I just wait until pickup to find out about her day.  The transition has been pretty easy.

Netty_3

I agree with pp it is tougher on us than them.

At our school, LO was held and put to sleep...even as a toddler, if the teacher notices someone is having a hard time going to sleep, they'll sit with them and rub their backs, while soothing music is playing in the background.

I was heartbroken when I dropped off LO for the first time (DH does drop off) and he was upset...I started crying...walked down the hall, and there was no more crying.

traveltheworld

DS (9.5 months when he started) had major separation anxiety and also couldn't put himself to sleep for naps prior to daycare.  His DC had these cribs that could be rolled back and forth and that's how they put him to sleep.  He did scream and cry at drop-off.  The first day he did that for almost half an hour (I watched on the webcam), but then gradually it got shorter; and 1 month in, he actually smiled when he saw his DC teachers.

I don't know if it's possible for you, but I dropped off DS for just the mornings for the first week, and then the second week, I picked him up at 2:00; so that even if he wasn't eating/sleeping well at DC, I had the comfort of knowing that he can catch up on that at home.

I also gave DS his favourite blanket for DC.

Lastly, if you can manage it, try to take it easy at work yourself for that first month.  DS had a non-stop cold and stomach bug that first month and it was rough.

traveltheworld

Oh I forgot to add that I also did transition days for a week - i.e. he and I would go there for 1 - 2 hours a day.  I found that it didn't help.  DS would be fine because I was there with him; but when the first official drop-off day he still screamed for half and hour.  Like I mentioned, what I found helpful was to have him go for shorter days by himself for the first few weeks.