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Time to start daycare!
This is a big step.
Keep reading for useful tips, tricks, and advice for preparing for and getting through your first weeks of daycare.
At this point, you have selected the daycare you intend to use. Now we need to talk about gathering information to prep for your baby’s first day.
Get Into Routine
Check-in with your daycare about their flow of the day and general policies and procedures. Things to know include eating and sleeping schedules. If they are consistent on when your baby will eat and sleep start working on getting your child onto that schedule while you are still at home with them.
Consider other things you may run into such as pacifier policies. Depending on the age of your baby and the daycare they may be allowed to have them at all times, or they may prefer that they only have them during nap times. Try to work with your daycare wherever possible.
Consider starting to structure your day like they are going to daycare. Consider what time your baby wakes up and eats breakfast. Maybe right now you sleep in and eat whenever they feel like it.
Once you start daycare though, maybe they will need to wake up at 7 and eat breakfast at 7:30. Start working towards making this happen. Also, consider what time you will likely eat dinner on daycare days. Try making this a part of your routine as well.
All of these small transitions will help get you on the right schedule to match with daycare. Little transitions are easier on your child at any age.
Start Early
Like I said before start working on getting into the routine your baby will experience while at daycare. Start early.
But also go ahead and start daycare before you need to go back to work.
You may not agree with this. You may want to spend as much time as possible with your baby.
I completely get that!
The reason to send them to daycare before you go to work is simple. Can you imagine trying to get them to daycare the first day and then going to work for your first day back?
The first day of daycare is hectic. You are dropping off diapers and wipes. You need blankets and food. Inform them of medications and records. As well as making payment.
It is probably going to be the longest it ever takes to get your little one dropped off.
Not to mention the fact you are trying to drop off your baby for the first time. There will likely be tears. Yours or theirs, either way.
This is a lot to handle.
Not trying to be dramatic, but also being realistic!
After all this, do you think you will make it to work on time and have your head on straight?
If you think you can that is great. You are awesome. I think you are definitely capable of doing this. After all, when it comes down to it you do what you have to.
If you have the luxury though of sending your baby to daycare before going back to work I suggest you do. For some people, this could be a day. For others, it could be a week.
You do you!
Spend this time getting a couple of things done before going back to work.
This could be meal planning and grocery shopping. It could be a haircut and a trip to the dentist. Get things done that you can’t with your baby around.
You have probably fallen behind on a few tasks. It happens.
This time allows you to make practice runs.
What time do I need to get myself up and ready? Wake the baby. To get them dressed and fed. To get to daycare on time. To get to work on time.
You need to work backward to figure out your wake-up time.
If you are unable to start your child at daycare before you return to work you can make practice runs. This may sound silly, but it could seriously help on your first day!
Expect Sickness
I hate to say this, but you should expect your baby to get sick within the first month. Fingers crossed they do not.
Plan to have days off available or alternative childcare such as a grandparent available.
Your baby is very likely going to get sick. They are going to be around more kids and germs than they are used to.
Be prepared.
What to Pack
Every daycare is different and will require different items. Here is a quick list of suggestions.
Food – Containers
Snacks
Drinks/Bottles
Pacifier
Medications
Extra Clothing
Blanket/sheet for nap time
Jacket
Sunscreen
Diaper Rash Cream
Diapers
Wipes
When it comes to the things you take to daycare it is helpful if you label everything. I also recommend sending things you don’t particularly care about if possible. If you have hand-me-clothing that aren’t your favorites send them as backup outfits.
Prep Time
Pack what you can the night before or at least have it ready in the fridge. The more you prep the more smoothly your morning will go.
I am continuing to perfect my meal prep for the week. With packing lunches each day I want to continue to find the best way to make it as smooth as possible.
So far what I am finding includes having 5 matching containers. You can totally judge me on this, but I reuse old deli meat containers. The small plastic kind. I go ahead and put a label on each lid stating the date and my daughter’s name, this is required for her daycare.
Then I will typically preload them partially. I will make mac’n’cheese and put her protein in the containers. Fruit and vegetables I add fresh every morning.
Learn how long it takes to get out of the house, make the daycare drop off and get to work. Figure out what time you need to be up and ready to go as well as what time you need to start getting your baby ready to go.
Rough Start
The first week or even month of daycare can be difficult. Between the adjustment of the routine, new environment, and potential sickness expect a few bumps along the way.
Your baby may be off on their nap schedule. They may not poop the first few days of daycare. There may also refuse to eat.
These issues are not ideal, but they could happen.
Just keep life as consistent as possible. Try not to pull them out early for a random activity or vacation. Let them get established and find that security they get from a routine.
Focus on the Positives
If you are struggling with the decision to send your child to daycare focus on the positives. Daycare will provide your child with structure, socialization, and new environments. They will learn to be cared for or follow directions from different caregivers.
They will learn patience.
They will learn that they are not the center of the universe.
As they get older they will continue to gain opportunities. The playground, organized activities, and crafts will increase with age.
Daycare, though a huge adjustment, can be a very good thing.
Daycare can help your child learn that there is a whole world outside of your home.
Check Out My Articles
7 Smart Ways to Cut Costs and Save Money when having a Baby
The Top 7 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Daycare for Your Child
How to Easily Pack a Week Worth of Lunches for Your 15 Month Old
Gently Encourage Your 18 Month Old to Tackle These Milestones
