6 month old baby

[Unregistered]

I will start by saying that I am Canadian and mat leaves here are usually a year, so typically babies are around a year when they start daycare. I was approached today about signing on a 6 month old infant. My own kids are 11 & 13, so obviously it has been a LONG time since I have taken care of one so young and I am checking to see if there is anything that I need to consider if I sign this one. My current age range is 1-3, and I usually have up to 5 @ a time - so basically I am wondering how hard this will be? What could I be neglecting to consider?

Thanks!

[Unregistered]

You will have your hands full. It's doable but your schedules will get messed up. Baby will want to eat when you go outside to play for example. Need a nap when it's activity time. You can make it work if you really get to know their schedule and plan your day around them. Not sure I'd take on a 6th though with that age group. I'd say 5 max, 2 or 3 of which under 2.

[jenboo]

It's really depends on you.
I love infants. I fit them into our schedule. Everyone eats and naps at the same time.
I've had a 4 month old, 10 month old and four 2 year olds. Once you get a good routine, its easy.

[laundrymom]

I love a mixed age group. Currently I have a six mo. Two 18 mo 4twos. 2fours and one opening. It's busy. But fun. And worth it to me. As long as you stay on schedule.

[Play Care]

I'm more of a preschool aged provider but if I didn't take infants, I'd have a hard time. I try to go two years between taking them because they do impact the schedule. It takes time to get them on a good eating and napping routine, etc.

In my state we have so many regulations about infants that it can be tough - they have to sleep in a pnp or crib, never in a pram, or carrier, etc. so everyone is stuck while you work on getting baby to nap in an approved nap spot, etc. Fed on demand, again, so everyone waits while you work on getting baby on a schedule.

The nice thing about 6 months is that they may have already gotten into a good eating and napping routine so your work could be minimal. Young enough to be adaptable but old enough to be a little independent. I usually like getting them at this age because it's less work than a 6 week old and the light at the end of the tunnel (ie: their 1st birthday:: ) is close::

[Snowmom]

I will start by saying that I am Canadian and mat leaves here are usually a year, so typically babies are around a year when they start daycare. I was approached today about signing on a 6 month old infant. My own kids are 11 & 13, so obviously it has been a LONG time since I have taken care of one so young and I am checking to see if there is anything that I need to consider if I sign this one. My current age range is 1-3, and I usually have up to 5 @ a time - so basically I am wondering how hard this will be? What could I be neglecting to consider?

Thanks!

A year maternity leave lovethis how awesome!

I normally don't enroll infants because of the liability and regulations in my state. Plus, with the feeding and pooping all the time... it cuts into my schedule too much for my taste.

I would consider, what gear would you need?
Bottles? Swing? Appropriate toys? Sleep sacks? Bibs?

[Francine]

Infants are my favorite, I have a 9 week old right now that I am totally in love with! I also have 2 two year olds, it works for us because the baby sleeps most of the day right now. As he gets older I will adjust the older kids to fit the baby's changing schedule, I've never had a problem with it but that being said I run a pretty relaxed, go with the flow program.