Managing a Newborn in Toddler Daycare

[LittleScholars]

Hi! I'm due in January and I'm thinking ahead to what daycare life will be like with newborn. I'm closing for two weeks and having a sub for a few weeks after that, so my little one will be around six weeks old when he/she is introduced to the group. Currently, I have a full group of very well behaved (within reason ) toddlers and two school-agers for am/pm care. For any of you that have had a similar experience, are there ways you changed the layout of your space? Ground rules you put in place with the older kiddos? Did you use a carrier until the baby was a bit older (I really want to avoid holding to much, but I want the baby to be safe). Any and all thoughts are welcome. All my kiddos were 16 months or older when they started, so I'm really not sure how to navigate the infant thing in general.

[JackandJill]

I changed my lay out slightly, so that kids could not get near my then newborn and his equipment! I didn't want kids dropping stuff into the pack and play or accidentally knocking his swing. Thankfully my space allowed for it, without anyone being out of eyesight.

I tried to avoid using the carrier all day, but it was actually super helpful in moving around and still having free hands.

[LittleScholars]

I changed my lay out slightly, so that kids could not get near my then newborn and his equipment! I didn't want kids dropping stuff into the pack and play or accidentally knocking his swing. Thankfully my space allowed for it, without anyone being out of eyesight.

I tried to avoid using the carrier all day, but it was actually super helpful in moving around and still having free hands.

So helpful! Did you use one of those play yards at any point, or just set up the pack n play in a safe area? I'm wondering what gear to purchase. Also, was there a specific carrier that was helpful?

Thank you!

[JackandJill]

I just used baby gate to set my son up in the dinning room. It opened into the playroom, so I had to buy one of those extra large gates that attached to the wall.

I just used an infantino front carrier, someone gave it to me for my baby shower. It wasn't super fancy but it was really comfortable and easy to get him in and out of!

[LittleScholars]

I just used baby gate to set my son up in the dinning room. It opened into the playroom, so I had to buy one of those extra large gates that attached to the wall.

I just used an infantino front carrier, someone gave it to me for my baby shower. It wasn't super fancy but it was really comfortable and easy to get him in and out of!

Super helpful! I'll look into that brand. I've had so many friends recommend carriers, but they use them for very different reasons (e.g., going on hikes, in grocery stores) and I want to make sure it is daycare-friendly.

We are finishing our basement, so soon I'll just have a big, wide open space. I'm definitely excited for the space to be done, but I'm going to have to get creative with how to section things off. I'm sure baby gates used creatively will help!

[Indoorvoice]

I am currently navigating this with my 6 week old. I don't carry her in a carrier. I set up a baby area with a hexagon gate where I can lay her down when I need to do things. I don't use a swing or any other baby equipment and I actually find that has been helpful as far as space goes and that she hasn't come to rely on these things for comfort. The most difficult thing to work out has been nursing. I have learned that setting up independent centers at these times has been the best way to keep the toddlers busy and supervised at the same time. I will say that I had daycare kids come back after 2 weeks and I wish I would have taken longer. We still hadn't established a nursing schedule and she often wanted to wake and nurse during my 1.5 hr arrival time which makes it hard for me to get ready and greet people at the door. I'm still kind of struggling with that and feel like my baby gets neglected quite a bit for the sake of the other kids.

[NillaWafers]

My baby is now 6 months, he didn't really like the carrier - but we have an ergo 360 and a classic ergo I did try out at first. The swing ended up being a lifesaver for me. I also had two rock n' plays placed strategically throughout my house so I had somewhere to put him down.

Now he is scooting and unhappy unless he's on the floor.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I used a Baby K'Tan carrier and transitioned to an Ergo with a newborn insert. She lived in there for the first 2-3 months. She was a very, very high needs infant and I would've terminated her contract if I could have. ::

It made teaching and taking care of 10 other children much easier and I could also nurse her while baby wearing her while continuing on with the day.

[Controlled Chaos]

Lots of good suggestions. I second getting them parked at centers when nursing. I made an extra point to parents about dropping off certain times since I would nurse in the morning inbetween drop offs sometimes.

I did not have a layout that allowed me to keep them separate so I worked a lot on training the big kids before I gave birth. I would put a baby doll on a blanket and have the kids practice going around it. I put a baby doll in the swing and they knew not to touch it. We practiced asking before touching (they could tickle toes), baby doll in pac n play meant no one allowed within so many feet of it - we practiced being stopped by a magic invisible wall. It worked pretty well. I had a group of 6 when I had my youngest and all of them did well with being careful and following the rules.

I also used a moby wrap for the first few months when doing dishes or something else where I couldn't see everyone quite as well.

[LittleScholars]

I used a Baby K'Tan carrier and transitioned to an Ergo with a newborn insert. She lived in there for the first 2-3 months. She was a very, very high needs infant and I would've terminated her contract if I could have. ::

It made teaching and taking care of 10 other children much easier and I could also nurse her while baby wearing her while continuing on with the day.

You can nurse while baby wearing!? That is amazing. I had no idea. I'm so looking into that.

[LittleScholars]

Lots of good suggestions. I second getting them parked at centers when nursing. I made an extra point to parents about dropping off certain times since I would nurse in the morning inbetween drop offs sometimes.

I did not have a layout that allowed me to keep them separate so I worked a lot on training the big kids before I gave birth. I would put a baby doll on a blanket and have the kids practice going around it. I put a baby doll in the swing and they knew not to touch it. We practiced asking before touching (they could tickle toes), baby doll in pac n play meant no one allowed within so many feet of it - we practiced being stopped by a magic invisible wall. It worked pretty well. I had a group of 6 when I had my youngest and all of them did well with being careful and following the rules.

I also used a moby wrap for the first few months when doing dishes or something else where I couldn't see everyone quite as well.

This is great!! We will definitely have practice sessions.

I'm glad you mentioned specific drop off times. I have them, but they have been quite off this summer (I haven't minded because it means later starts for me); however, I'm redoing my contracts for September and this will be key!

[LittleScholars]

I am currently navigating this with my 6 week old. I don't carry her in a carrier. I set up a baby area with a hexagon gate where I can lay her down when I need to do things. I don't use a swing or any other baby equipment and I actually find that has been helpful as far as space goes and that she hasn't come to rely on these things for comfort. The most difficult thing to work out has been nursing. I have learned that setting up independent centers at these times has been the best way to keep the toddlers busy and supervised at the same time. I will say that I had daycare kids come back after 2 weeks and I wish I would have taken longer. We still hadn't established a nursing schedule and she often wanted to wake and nurse during my 1.5 hr arrival time which makes it hard for me to get ready and greet people at the door. I'm still kind of struggling with that and feel like my baby gets neglected quite a bit for the sake of the other kids.

I'm worried about coming back soon. I do have a sub after two weeks, but I'll still have to do drop-off and pick-up due to her schedule. It is sounding like drop off will be the trickier time potentially. My husband will change his work hours to stay with the baby until my sub gets here during those few weeks. Is it crazy to think we might be able to get the baby to take a bottle (of breast milk) from him?

[Controlled Chaos]

I'm worried about coming back soon. I do have a sub after two weeks, but I'll still have to do drop-off and pick-up due to her schedule. It is sounding like drop off will be the trickier time potentially. My husband will change his work hours to stay with the baby until my sub gets here during those few weeks. Is it crazy to think we might be able to get the baby to take a bottle (of breast milk) from him?

Not crazy - just hopeful 2 of my babies would take a bottle of pumped milk with me in the room even. She never had a problem. My middle baby - he wouldn't take a bottle of anything for 8 months! He's still a stinker