Anyone have to leave there DC at 6 weeks old?

Was it as bad as you thought it would be?

I'm pregnant again and will be due in February 08. I'm going to be starting a new job (can't stay where I am now) and I won't be elligible for FMLA and therefore will only be entitled to 6 weeks disability.

I'm trying to get prepared now. I know that it was really bad timing but...........it happened.

My DS is in daycare now and started daycare at 3 months (he's 17 months now) but 6 weeks seems so early. 3 months was so little and so hard.

DH refuses to have someone in the house like an Au Pair or live out (not that we could afford that either).

Please tell me about your experience and what you did at 6 weeks.
TIA

Message edited 7/26/2007 3:16:10 PM.

Re: Anyone have to leave there DC at 6 weeks old?

I guess that I'm the only one.....

Re: Anyone have to leave there DC at 6 weeks old?

I had to go back to work at 7 weeks. It was tough, the first week I was able to go back only half-day so it was a better transition, plus she wasn't taking the bottle well so I worried about her eating well.

The main worry at that age is them getting sick, because I was told if my DD got a fever over 100.4 under 3 months she would have to go to the ER. In fact she did get sick once and I did take her, but it was just a virus and she was fine. I think just make sure you trust the day care providers and know they will try to keep the other chilren away from the newborn.

As far as dropping her off, I was so sad that first week, also when I went full time it was sad. What helped was the first day or so back i was so busy showing pictures of her to coworkers, talking about the baby, etc, that it kept my mind occupied.

The other "good" thing about putting your child in that early is they really don't "miss" you that much, so she wasn't crying when I left her (although I was!). Also I found in day care the ladies there always gush over the newest baby, so I felt confident she would get a lot of attention.

It's hard but you have to do what you have to do, and in the end it won't matter if your child started day care at 6 weeks or 6 months!

Re: Anyone have to leave there DC at 6 weeks old?

Thank you so much.