Tips for returning after maternity leave? help :)

[Daycare123]

Hey Everyone!

I will be losing the help I have with my new baby about a month, right now my husband is home with our new baby. (Just wanted to clarify- I only took a few weeks where I actually closed)
I am just a bit nervous about transitioning my baby into the daycare routine.

Do you all have any words of wisdom?

Thank you in advance!!

[Momof4]

I have a friend who wears her baby in a sling on her body and breastfeeds like that, while taking care of her 5 daycare children and her other children. She's a Super Mom!

If I were in your shoes I would bring children in 1 at a time and get used to the pace of the work, because being a new Mom is a lot of work and running a daycare is a lot of work. Depending on what you can afford and how quickly you sign on families maybe advertise a new space coming up every 3-4 months? Wishing you all the best.

[Daycare123]

Thanks Momof4! I only closed my daycare for a few wks-but I have had help -but will be running my daycare on my own WITH my wee one as well in a month or so. I was planning on wearing my baby as well!

I have staggered enrolment-so I have 1 until July then 3 dck by October-so I guess my plans good

thx for the reassurance!

[Marie]

I re-opened the daycare when my son was one month old and my daughter was 17 months old. I started out slowly and only had one child in my care. When my son was 3 months old I took on two extra kids. I have a rocking chair in the playroom for when I breastfeed or rock my son to sleep. I also have a little ''bedroom'' set up in the basement for him to take naps. It was hard at first when I first took on the two extra kids but after about 6 weeks or so I finally felt like I had a good rythm going.

[Daycare123]

Thanks Marie-hearing about your experience is very encouraging !

[playfelt]

Remember that you are a working mom and as such a lot of things you might have been doing for your baby in the daytime may need to get switched to afternoon naptime or evening such as a bath.

Remember it is ok to let some things go and the kids will be just fine for the next few months if there are no outings or you don't change the displays on the wall or circletime is sporadic or shortened and lunch is a grilled cheese and sliced pear not a boat pear with cheese sail ie not fancy.

Eliminate toys that require your constant vigilence so you are more free to come and go from the room. Your baby will sleep more of the day than the others so there will be blocks of time your baby isnt' part of the daycare but that doens't mean you have to spend those times entertaining the daycare kids. It is ok to sit down and say for your freeplay activity you have chosen to sit and do nothing.

Mostly the kids are fascinated by the baby and pretty good at working around the changes in routine. Which means the needs of the baby will become the group activity. They can be a lot of help in bringing you things or helping each other while you are busy. Fun to watch as your baby is the centre of attention. Enjoy.

[mom-in-alberta]

Because my youngest daughter took her sweet time getting here, I had to reopen with a 2 week old instead of an almost 4 week old... LoL
Like anything, you will just have to adapt as you go. I also agree that starting a little more gradually can only be a good thing. I ended up with only a p/t and a f/t, (plus my own baby, 4 year old daughter and 2 school age boys) and I am thankful for it. It was a bit of a hit on the pocket book, but better on my sanity.
The gals here gave me some great advice. It's okay to be a little less structured, and have a little more freeplay. So what if you don't do as many organized crafts and activities?? You will get back into the swing of things as you all adjust to the new person in your family.
I warned all the parents that there may be some days I look less than pulled-together, possibly meaning I open the door in my jammies, hahaha. I let them know that I would be nursing, but that I would be discreet, and I would be answering any questions that the kids had openly and honestly.
The kids didn't even bat an eye. They loved the new baby, and would pat her head and shush her if she was fussing.
It can be done, so don't stress too much. Before you know it, you'll be wondering where the time went. OH, and on rough days, where I maybe didn't get so much sleep or whatever; I was so grateful that I had a "job" that meant I could just sit on the couch and watch the kids play if I needed to!! Don't be afraid to rest if you need to.