What Really Matters When It Comes To Baby Daycare

Whether you’re aiming for part-time or full-time care, there comes a time in every working mom’s life when she asks herself an important question: What are the best childcare choices for my child? Yet, the nerve-wracking moments have arrived. It is now time to get back to work as you cross out the last of your maternal leave off the calendar. You need to now face what you have been putting off facing all these months getting childcare assistance or a preschool for your precious little one while you get back out there to hustle. 

Choosing a baby daycare can really be a daunting task, you can say that again! After all, who enjoys being parted from their babies, right? But sometimes, a mom needs to do what a mom needs to do. But how do you even begin to decide? If you don’t have a grandparent who lives nearby and can lend a hand, the two most common choices are nanny and baby daycare. But when it comes down to it, deciding whether to go with daycare or a nanny really depends on your family.

Here’s What All Moms Should Know About The First Day Of Baby Daycare.

Children as young as six months old are sent to daycare. That’s when the child is more or less trained to develop sleeping and eating habits. However, the first few weeks are always the hardest. But you know that already. You also know that you’ll draw on your inner super-strength and that you will get through it. Because we are a mom and there is nothing we can’t handle! We did our homework. We know our baby will be well-taken care of. And we can practically recite the research that there are many benefits to attending baby daycare.

Still, it might not easy to leave our perfect, tiny little human with other people no matter how loving or qualified. As you handed over your barely 6-month old to the lovely baby daycare teacher, you will hold back. But your rational brain sure remind you that your child would be sleeping for most of the day and you would be thankful for the quality child care your baby is receiving. The internal struggle was beyond anything you will ever experience before. As much as we loved our job and craved adult interaction, you will always doubt your decision to return to work full time. 

What Age Is Best For Baby Daycare?

Like most things with babies, it can vary widely depending on the child’s development, home surroundings and their personality in general. Most carers and daycare centres will take a child from 6 weeks onwards but most people agree that this is too early. Babies often become clingy around the age of 6-8 months so, if you wish to avoid a scene, it might be wise to get them used to be away from their parents before 6 months. 

How Can A Baby Daycare Assist You In Your Child’s Development?

At a baby daycare, each child is assigned to one caretaker, especially if very young, who caters to their individual needs. The child is involved in activities like block building or music, as per their age and interest, and fed and put to sleep, as per their nap time. For some baby daycare, the food is provided by parents since paediatricians suggest that infants should be fed from one particular source only in order to develop immunity. We also give suggestions on what a child should be fed as per his or her age. Baby at the daycare is not really forced to follow a schedule. The idea is to keep the day engaging and interactive while more or less to develop sleeping and eating habits. 

Nevertheless, you need to think about whether your baby has any special needs. If your baby was preterm or had any problems after birth, you may need to take these into consideration when choosing when and where to leave them. Another important issue is feeding. In this case, if you breastfeed you’ll need to be prepared to express and have a caregiver willing and able to correctly feed expressed milk to your baby. You’ll also need to consider the differences between your home and the baby daycare. If your baby is used to being picked up, going to sleep a certain way or being picked up the second they make a whimper, they may have a hard time adjusting.

So, Are You Ready For A Baby Daycare?

No matter how perfect a daycare might be, leaving behind your baby in an unknown space is not easy, either for the parents or the child. Parents tend to worry constantly while the child is unaware of why he or she has been separated from the parents. And that’s why parents need to be absolutely prepared mentally to leave behind their child. Because a lot of parents find this transition really difficult, for which they should consult experts. Many baby daycares also have a separation anxiety workshop to understand how to deal with it. The child also has to be dealt with delicately by well-trained staff members at the daycare or it will impact him or her badly.

On a side note, you think that your child is too young to understand anything.  However, they can easily sense your emotions.  They very well know whether you are anxious or you trust the caregiver.  They will respond in the same way as you.  If you are confident about your decision to leave your baby at the daycare centre, your baby will feel relaxed too.  However, what you need to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t fake positivity.  Babies can gauge when you are overdoing it.  If you are unnaturally excited and exuberant or your goodbye is a little too prolonged, they will be more distressed.  Therefore, you should aim to be naturally confident and calm.

Last but not least, ensuring that your child is emotionally, socially and physically prepared to enter into baby daycare can seem like a daunting task for most parents. Most importantly, you’ve done your homework, you’ve already chosen a care facility that matches the unique needs of your child and family, has an approach to childcare that works with your parenting style, and plenty of experience that allows you to feel comfortable with your decision.