The Newborn Days and Daycare

[SunshineMama]

I had my son 6 weeks ago, and today is the first day I have reopened. I'm trying to get adjusted with the daycare and having a newborn, and would love some tips to make the day easier.

Questions:

Best way to nurse while watching other kids?

How to handle a newborn who doesn't want put down. 6 weeks IMO is too young to leave to cry, and I already have a tension headache from the baby bjorn.

How to get through the exhaustion- ds is up every 2 hours at night. We're working through allergenic colitis and "colic." it's slowly improving but still requires a lot of energy.

[bunnyslippers]

Well, first of all, congratulations!!!! I opened 4 weeks after having my second through a c-section. I did have an assistant that year, but it was still tricky!

I used a baby bjorn often. I also had a moses basket for him, and he loved it. I kept it right near me as often as I could. He spent some time in bouncy seats and swings, too. But I did hold him often.

I was tired all the time. I pretty much used nap time to chill out, and tried to rest whenever I could. My mantra back then was "He is only a baby once. Someday I will really wish this time back. He will be big before I know it." and repeat, repeat, repeat!

[Blackcat31]

Congratulations on the new baby!!! happyface

[SunshineMama]

Thanks blackcat!

Bunnyslippers- I keep saying the same thing ! He is out last so I'm trying to savor every moment

[mema]

Congratulations!

I don't have much advice as mine were older when I started, but wanted to wish you well! Get rest whenever possible. Get the kiddos into some cardboard boxes or tents and rock/cuddle with the baby!

[MamaBearCanada]

Wow - I didn't start daycare til my first was 4 months so some of this might not work for you but here's what I did

I used a nursing cover with boning around the top so it opened so I could see baby but kids couldn't see. I nursed on demand until we gradually got into a schedule. Once we were on a schedule I tried to plan stuff that would keep the kids occupied that wouldn't require much hands on assistance - playdoh etc. I had a comfy chair that was big enough for one of the dck to sit on with me if needed.

Baby Bjorn might not be giving you the support you need. Try a wrap or ergo with infant insert that puts more weight on your hips/across back and less on your shoulders. I have an ergo & love it.

Try and eat well and often and drink water. You can easily become dehydrated when nursing and that and not enough food can make you really low on energy. Rest when you can!

And congratulations!!!

[lilcupcakes09]

First off Congrats & Good Luck!!!

I just a 6 wk old start 2 weeks ago, Mom was very worried because the baby would cry constantly at home if she wasn't being held. For the first few weeks they blamed it on belly problems,switched formulas without any relief, etc. So her going back to work was a big deal for her as well...she needed time away after being home with a baby that couldn't be put down at all. First day here was a little rough, she did cry everytime I put her down while awake, pick her up she turned off like a switch.
My savior.....the second day I swaddled her up really tight and put her in the swing....it worked like a champ. She has been as quiet as can be since then, I swaddle her whenever she is getting sleepy or fussy and put her in the swing and she is out within a few minutes. She also doesn't take a pacifier so I think this is her soothing being swaddled.

[jessrlee]

I second swaddling! My daycare babies sleep sooo much better when swaddled!

[rmc20021]

I was operating a daycare when I had my last child (at age 38). I only had a few kids, but I had all my kids on Friday, closed up and about 8 pm that evening my water broke and I had my daughter at 4 am Saturday morning and went home that same evening about 4 pm.

The following Monday morning my doors were open as usual. I will never forget one of the mothers asking me who's baby it was I had in my arms when I went to the door that day. I told her mine...she didn't believe me and immediately looked down at my stomach.

While I wouldn't advise anyone else to do this, it was no problem for me and I was able to carry on as usual. I just got tired a little more but other than that, it all worked out fine.

Today, that same mom is my assistant for my daycare. Our kids are all grown and we're both grandma's but we've remained friends throughout our children growing up together.

[Play Care]

I did dc 6 weeks after my youngest was born. I nursed while sitting and watching the kids. I didn't use a cover but was discreet - I made sure to lock the door so no parents got an eyefull:: Essentially the kids didn't pay it any mind, although some of the younger toddlers were nursing their dolls

I did wear baby, but I also had to put her down to get other things done. So I would use my voice to soothe while I was changing diapers, preparing lunch, etc. No she didn't get it right then, but it made me feel better and not like I was abandoning her Eventually they all understand that you mean it when you say you will be back. I do wish I had taken time to savor it even though it was exhausting. My kids are in school now and time goes so quickly.

[nanglgrl]

I was operating a daycare when I had my last child (at age 38). I only had a few kids, but I had all my kids on Friday, closed up and about 8 pm that evening my water broke and I had my daughter at 4 am Saturday morning and went home that same evening about 4 pm.

The following Monday morning my doors were open as usual. I will never forget one of the mothers asking me who's baby it was I had in my arms when I went to the door that day. I told her mine...she didn't believe me and immediately looked down at my stomach.

While I wouldn't advise anyone else to do this, it was no problem for me and I was able to carry on as usual. I just got tired a little more but other than that, it all worked out fine.

Today, that same mom is my assistant for my daycare. Our kids are all grown and we're both grandma's but we've remained friends throughout our children growing up together.

I was pretty much the same way. The only difference was one was born on a Wednesday and I took Th/Fr off, another was born on a Tuesday and I took the rest of the week off. It wasn't hard. The big difference though was that I didn't have any other infants besides mine.

[Country Kids]

My biggest piece of advice=please make sure you are getting enough rest/food/hydration.

I went back to work a week after my fourth one and it was doable but probably not the best-

Still getting up through the night weeks later took a toll on me big time. I actually collapsed one night after feeding my baby while trying to walk back to put them into bed. I was ok, baby ok, but it was a wake up call to listen to MY body and slow it down!

[HomeMADE]

I agree with swaddling, I have a 9 week old in my care and his mother said he hates being swaddled.

When he goes to sleep or gets fussy it works like clock work. I suggest trying it.

[cheerfuldom]

I have always gone back to work quickly after my kids were born. my littlest is almost 3 months. really there isnt much more you can do than hang on for dear life. sorry, no magic answers here. just keep your daycare group as small as you can afford, have your husband do as much as he can in the evenings, get as much rest as you can. it does get a lot better as baby gets older and as you get a routine established. you are lucky you got 6 weeks off. I have always done 2 weeks or less.

[youretooloud]

Congratulations!!! I went back to work when mine were less than two weeks old. One was 8 days old.

It's easier during those first few days because they just sleep. Mine were both huge sleepers anyway.

I think if you had a comfortable chair in the room with the kids, you can just nurse right there. If you don't feel comfortable in front of them, use a cover up thing until you feel less awkward.

I would strongly suggest you avoid any baby carrier where the baby's legs hang down. (Crotch hanger) Like a bjorn. I never strongly suggest much of anything, but that I do.

I think if you got a good ring sling you could carry him all day long, and feed him without any kids ever seeing. You do have to learn how to use those though... it's not like putting something in a purse. You need to put the baby to your chest, and tighten the top and the bottom rail til he's snug and comfey. Nobody will ever see you nursing him in there.

I also like wraps, but those have a learning curve.

If you want to learn about carriers, check out thebabywearer message boards. If I remember correctly, they are the same format as this message board and have a lot of different boards with different ideas.

http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/index.php?