tips for easing baby into daycare

In about 3 weeks DD will have to go to daycare since I"m going back to work. Three days a week she'll be with my aunt (which makes me feel a little better) and twice a week with a coworkers mother . Right now DD is NOT good about visiting and she doesn't sleep/nap well if we are out. I've been looking into sound machines/soothing cds all morning . Could you share your tips on making things easier for baby? I'm thinking of getting the sleep sheep on the go so that we can use it at home to get her familiar with it and then bring it anywhere so that she has something familiar from home with her. Does that sound like a good idea? Sorry so long, but I'm starting to panic!

Re: tips for easing baby into daycare

I too am going back to work in Sept. and struggling with the same issues. DS is 3 months and is awful when we are out visiting (does not nap, cries, and is just not himself). I feel terrible that nobody gets to see the "real him" smiling, laughing, and babbling up a storm. Back to the point...my mom will be watching DS and we have been leaving him alone with her while I run errands trying to get him used to falling asleep there. I've been trying to get him attached to a blankie with my scent and so far nothing is working too well. Last time he cried for an hour before he finally fell asleep. It makes me soooo upset, but I think it's just going to take time. Sorry for the long ramble Good luck!

Re: tips for easing baby into daycare

My 3 mth old is the exact same way!! I feel terrible too :) She is so happy all day at home with me and with DH when he is home. I'm going to try leaving her with my aunt a couple of times before i start work. hope that helps!

Re: tips for easing baby into daycare

DS is the same way and I go back to work TOMORROW!!

This may not be an option for you since you have 2 different babysitters, but I purchased a duplicate swing, PNP and bouncy chair to keep at my brothers (where my mom will be watching the baby). I also have the Sleep Sheep. I'm hoping the consistency of the things he usually falls asleep in will help.

I've also been having my mom watch him for the day a few times so he can get familiar with her.

Right now, it hasn't been working. Also my mom is usually SO excited to see him that she overstimulates him to the point where he just can't sleep. But hopefully, they will adjust to the new surroundings and get into a new "routine".

I've been trying to be very strict with my mom about keeping him on as much of a "routine/schedule" as possible.

I'm that in a few weeks he will adjust.

I'm so sad to leave him tomorrow.

Re: tips for easing baby into daycare

my son went to daycare at 3 months. 3 days there and 2 days with MIL.

To ease your minds, because he was young I found that the transition really wasn't hard at all. I brought his mobile that he used at home to daycare and I gave them his miracle blanket. I figured he'd be all of sorts so I wanted to make sure he had some very familiar items to associate with home.

It turned out that he really enjoyed it. They were able to get him to nap no problem. He loved to look around at the older babies. In terms of routine they did a better job that I ever did with getting him to nap and not having to hold him to get him to go down.

They adapt...some quicker than others. Your concerns are so very familiar and I know we've all been there but in the end it really wound up being fine.

Good luck!!! Try not to stress about these things now and just enjoy the time you have left! I know, easier said than done. I never could either.