Question: How old is old enough?

gosse1km · March 2009

So, I have a 5 yo SD who has been in Daycare for a year or so, since her dad and I both started working days. These are non negotiable shifts and i'm due in October with our first BC.

I'm not SAHM material, never have been. I need to work to keep sane you know? But I don't want to put my new baby at undue risk either.

Is 6 weeks to early for daycare? CA gives us 12 weeks paid and i'm wondering if I should just take the whole 12 so she'll have a better immunity built up. I'm just worried about being off work that long.

So, what i'm asking is how old were your kids when they started going ot daycare, and what's the general concensus on age?

Thx

alisonada · March 2009

Yes, take the 12 weeks. I'm not a SAHM type either, but I still wouldn't want to put a 6 week old in daycare if I could avoid it. To me this is a no-brainer, especially if you can get it paid for 12 weeks. FWIW mine started at 10 weeks and 12 weeks.

katie277s · March 2009

My DS was in daycare at 7 weeks. I didn't qualify for FMLA at the time and all my leave was unpaid, so I couldn't afford to be off any longer. But if you have the chance to take a full 12 weeks paid, I would definately do it.

JLSBWG · March 2009

My DS was 13 weeks old when he started daycare. If you can afford to, definately stay out for the 12 weeks. I couldn't imagine putting my DS in at daycare at 6 weeks old. At the point, I was enjoying staying home with him, and didn't really start to get ansy until about 10 weeks. However, even at that time, I wasn't ready to go back to work. Initially it is hard bringing your baby to daycare, but I got used to it fast and love being a working Mom!

Pesky · March 2009

I would try to take at least 8. DD started at 8 wks. Honestly, I felt by 8 wks I was finally getting the hang of it, DD was becoming more involved in her surroundings and truthfully, I probably would've stayed out 10-12 if I could have. But 8 is all I can swing.

kgb1411 · March 2009

My DS had days and nights mixed up until he was about 4 weeks, and was still waking up every two-three hours to nurse at 6 weeks. I was still having pain from my c-section until about 4-5 weeks as well. I took the full 12 weeks off, but I think that I would have needed at least 8 to be able to function at work again. That said, I did work one afternoon a week starting when he was 2 weeks old, and that was wonderful.

CMDR513 · March 2009

DS will go to our home daycare provider at 11 weeks.

I've worked in plenty of daycares, earliest I've seen was 5 weeks. I'd recommend 8-10 if you didn't want to ake the full 12.

HappyNov · March 2009

Take 12! Especially if you get it paid. I took 13 unpaid and would do it all over again.

duchess0727 · March 2009

I went back to work at 10 weeks but got some help from family/babysitter to keep my son at home until 4 months when he went in daycare. I know some people who had to put kids in daycare at 6 weeks, but I think I would feel comfortable with 12 weeks at a minimum.

mrsmikey · March 2009

If you can afford to take 12, then take all 12. I enjoy being a working mom too, but they are just so tiny at 6 weeks! DS was 13 weeks when he started daycare, but only 5 weeks adjusted. I can't believe I had to send him so young. He was still so small. He did great, and I did ok too, but I would have given anything to have stayed home with him for a couple more months. You will treasure those months home, I promise!

makclair · March 2009

I went back to work when DS was 7 weeks old, and he started to daycare at 8 weeks. I would have loved to have the opportunity to have stayed with him till 12 weeks- take it!!!

Also, I recommend breastfeeding if you can to help build up the baby's immunity.

MegGary · March 2009

Take the 12 weeks if you are paid for it. 12 weeks is not a long time believe me. It will fly by.

senecamom · March 2009

Take as much as you can! 12 weeks would be my minimum. They're only small once. DD doesn't go to daycare, but I went back to work after 6 months...

FinnishPrincess · March 2009

Absolutely take the 12 weeks!!

Mjmksb04 · March 2009

I took 10 weeks off. At 6 weeks, Ds's sleeping was not solid enough for me to have been able to function as an adult at work during the day. By 10 weeks, it was definitely doable.

TheMalleys · March 2009

That's a no brainer take all 12 weeks. You get paid for all 12, take them! Your work will manage without you.

Destiny0304 · March 2009

My ds started at 6 weeks. (I was out of work for 9 wks--so I couldnt be out any longer)

He got a few colds and RSV once. The upside is since the RSV, he hasnt had another cold or anything. (knock on wood)...Honestly, I think either way you go, they are going to get sick. I think his immunity is a lot better now since he has gotten sick.

But it's just a personal choice I guess. If I could've been out of work for 12 weeks, I probably would have.

jlw2505 · March 2009

I would take the whole 12 weeks personally. You will need time to heal and your baby will not be sleeping all night unless you are really lucky for a while. My daycare does takes infants starting at 6 weeks but most that start are around the 12 week mark. My older DD started at 12 weeks and my younger started at 10 weeks because I had been on bedrest at the end and had to use some of my leave then. I was not ready to go back to work adn would have loved that extra 2 weeks.

Bella427 · March 2009

Most daycares start taking babies at age 6 weeks. Still, I'd take 12 weeks if you can. Even if you aren't the SAHM type, you'll need time to adjust, you'll be very sleep deprived, etc.

gosse1km · March 2009

Thanks so much for all the advice

I get paid 4 weeks before and 12 weeks after, and from what everyone is saying it seems logical to take the twelve. It seems crazy to be away from my job that long, but you're right, they are only small once.

It still blows my mind how much SD has grown in the 2 and a half years i've been with DH.

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