Advice on daycare drama!

[riogirl71]

So we started daycare and my little guy is almost 8 months, so far he had been with my MIL and I work 6 hours a day. She brings him and I bfeed him, he refuses a bottle from anyone and only bfeeds. So now she does 1/2 day and I bfeed him then daycare for 3 hours. Pretty soon he needs to go for the full 6 hours. He cries the whole time he is there, sobs and finally passes out and sleeps, and that's it, no fun no play. The people there are super nice and other kids love it. Is there any advice to make it a little better for him? I feel so guilty... but I have to work.

[geckogirl]

Rio - I am sorry your little one is having a tough time adjusting to daycare. Be assured that he WILL adjust, it just may take some time. This is a tough transitional time for babies. At 8 months separation anxiety is starting for these guys and it is really hard. Declan just this week started crying when I drop him off at daycare. He has been going since he was 4 months without a problem He also cries if I leave the room - even if DH is with him. That is really hard on DH. I guess it is just a "mommy thing" right now. Anyway, talk to your daycare people and see what tips they have for you. I was told not to try to sneak away (that causes insecurity) but also not to sound guilty when I leave him. I just say in an upbeat voice "Bye, bye. Mommy has to go now. I will pick you up later" and I just leave - even if he cries. Eventually they will stop crying and start interacting with the other kids. Don't feel guilty. MOST parents have to work these days, and the children in daycare turn out just fine! Hang in there!

[2ndtimer]

I'm so sorry he's having a tough time. My little guy has been in daycare since 3 mos. DH drops him off & I pick him up. Usually he's there for about 6-7 hrs/day. Because he's been going since he was that young we've haven't had many problems ourselves. It's a nice daycare & the staff are great. I've seen several other babies start at about the same age as your's or a little younger and they all seem to have a tougher time, but after 2-3 weeks they have all seemed to settle in.
It's so hard, I know. I wish I didn't have to work but that's not an option. If I were you I'd probably focus on the bottles now. Maybe you can pump breast milk & just start giving him it in the bottles for a few days. If you can get the bottle feeding conquered then at least you won't worry about him being hungry Plus it might help him bound a little more with the daycare teachers to get a bottle from them.
Hang in there. It's a tough transition for everyone.
2ndtimer