New Baby? How To Adjust To Leaving Your Infant At Daycare

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Working mother often experience anxiety over leaving their young infant with a daycare provider for the first time. It's challenging to leave your baby for such a long period time so soon after birth. Here are some tips to help you prepare for and adjust to leaving your baby at daycare.

Take Time To Provide

If you're a breastfeeding mom, the challenge of work-care balance is very difficult. If you are able, take the time during the day to provide your baby's needs by pumping milk during your breaks at work. You can gain comfort from the fact that even though you are not with your baby, you are still taking time to make sure your baby gets the food he or she needs.

If you aren't breastfeeding, you can still take time from your day to provide emotional care for your infant. Talk to the daycare about setting up a video "chat" during your breaks or lunch hour so you can see and speak to your baby. You baby knows your voice and will enjoy hearing you speak.

Stay Close

If possible, try to find a care center that is close to your place of employment. This way in case there is an emergency, you can be there quickly to get information or provide care. Also, having a place close means you could potentially visit your baby during breaks.

Bring Reminders

If the separation is challenging for you, help make it easier by bringing reminders of your baby with you to work, such as new photographs or a soft blanket. These small reminders can make separation easier during the first few weeks of daycare.

Take It Slow

Talk to your employer about the possibility of "easing" into daycare by starting with only half-day shifts at work. Perhaps you could do half your work in the office and take the other half home to finish so your baby spends less time in child care. Then when your baby is slightly older, you can return to full-time work with the confidence in your daycare provider and less anxiety over being separated while your baby is still young.

Research

Find the daycare center that is the right fit for you. You'll want to find one with plenty of staff so your baby can be held and interacted with, even though other young children are present and more demanding. 

For more information on finding the right daycare, contact a professional care company like Mountainside School in your area. 


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