Too soon for daycare?

Question

Is 4 months too soon or am I being irrational? We just had our orientation for daycare today and I am kind of freaking out. My little girl is 4 months next week and I am having some reservations about putting her in daycare. She will be the youngest in the class, she doesn’t nap in the crib, doesn’t like taking bottles(she is EBF and takes a BM bottle right before bed), She always wants to be held or entertained, and I want to have a decrease in my supply and have to pump all the time. I don’t make a ton of money so I am basically going back to work to pay for daycare plus a few hundred extra dollars. My mom, my MIL and my sister all agree it is too early. But my husband is adamant. He makes all the money and I don’t feel like I have a leg to stand on when it comes to making a decision that effects us financially. I know she will be fine and adjust, but I’m just not ready! 😭 Help! What have y’all done and how have you coped or come to an agreement with your partner?!

Answer

I’m staying home with this baby but I started my oldest in daycare when he was 10 weeks old. Same kind of situation...almost all my income went to pay for daycare but his dad (we are no longer together) insisted I had to go back when I did.
I can’t sugar coat the process of getting used to it. I cried in my car every day after I walked out of the daycare the first couple weeks. But I saw quickly that my son was fine. He was happy and thriving just like he was with me. Better yet - it was easy to tell he really didn’t understand me not being there. They know they can’t see you but they don’t really know you’ve left them somewhere. Their concept of time is also completely different than ours so a day at daycare feels the same as 2 hours with a grandparent while you and dad go on a dinner date.
It does get easier, I promise. And it doesn’t take long. I realized pretty quickly it was nice to sit at my desk and eat lunch of have coffee with my arms free for a change 😊 and then you’re happy to have them occupied again when you get home with baby

Answer

If you can get by with not working and keeping baby with you at home I would for sure go with that! I don't know if it would be worth being away from my baby for just a couple hundred bucks. My fiance and I work opposite shifts (I'm just part time) so that we don't have to use daycare....I was a toddler teacher for over ten years and while most of the teachers I have worked with were great it was always hard to see babies in the infant room not getting enough one on one throughout the day.😢 Why does your husband feel that he should be in daycare if it's not really going to benefit you financially?

Answer

My first started daycare at 9 weeks old. She’s now 4.5 years old at the same daycare and she’s thriving. My 2nd girl is 4 months and now I work from home so she hasn’t started yet but we’re planning to start her at the same place in January. I have mixed feelings about both situations and both have pros and cons but they are what’s working for our family.
So, I don’t think 4 months is too early. It won’t always be easy but it’ll be ok and you’ll get through it and figure out what’s best for your family 😊

Answer

I’ve had my son in daycare since 6 weeks. It was hard at first but if you must do it for your family just know that they are professional care takers. My son was the youngest in his school when we put him in and now he is like a celebrity. Everyone e there lives him because they have seen him grow just like I have. They got to snuggle with him and have been invested in him  with him being so young and new. He still loves his mommy and daddy and smiles every time we come get him. But it’s nice that he does smile with the teachers too when he sees them in the morning. I think the biggest thing is making sure you are comfortable with the caretakers. We love our center. 
Either way, it will be ok momma no matter your decision.

Too soon for daycare?

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