Is having a new born and providing daycare possible?

[playfelt]

Two of my four kids were born into the daycare. I had about a week with each one - you got to stay in hospital for 3 days back then for starters.

Realize you will still have to care for your children with the newborn so it isn't like you were going to sleep when the baby slept or just sit on the couch with your feet up anyways. They still need meals, naps, diaper changes potentially.

What I found was having the daycare children was a nice diversion for my own kids, and we just made the baby the "theme" for the first month till the novelty wore off and we had a routine down. Also if your hubby can take some paternity leave that helps a lot too I have heard - again not an option way back when.

A lot depends on your delivery and how much time you need to heal. Using your first two pregnancies as a bit of a guide will help you a little in making a decision on time.

If your own are little and nap in the afternoon that helps a lot as it gives you that one on one time with the baby and you will get where you can put the baby on a daycare schedule meaning baby feeds during freeplay and sleeps during craft time.

[skdaycaremama]

Thanks for the reply, I was thinking along those same lines as well, hearing some feedback makes me feel like it is possible

[Sassygirl]

First off... CONGRATS!!! How are you feeling???
I am currently 18 weeks along with # 5. My older children are 15, 13 and 10 so they are gone all day, my youngest is 18 months and all of my 4 dckiddos are between 12-19 months old.
Honestly, for me I am feeling MUCH better now that I am in second trimester. First trimester I came close to closing. Thankfully all these kiddos because they arrive so early (I open at 7am) still need a morning nap for an hour. I lucked out because my sense of smell, food adversions, all day nausea and fatigue was kicking my A$$. I would lay down when they did in the mornings instead of cleaning up, and would lay down again each afternoon for a little couch snooze with the monitor in the nap rooms on of course. I still do each afternoon for a half hour.
My plan is to take 2 weeks off after baby. Playfelt is right, I have a toddler as well so its not like I can put my feet up and sleep when baby sleeps. The other kiddos would keep my son busy. All my parents know and are okay with me scheduling my OB and other prenatal appts during afternoon nap and having my mother in law come and stay while the babies are asleep so I can go. Makes things easier instead of having to book days off and inconvenience people.
Luckily my husband is taking off parental leave. His work also tops up his benefits so essentially he will be making the same staying home for a few months. I am due in March so the plan is for him to be home until Sept to help out and also keep my older 3 occupied over the summer.
Congrats again!