How was the first time you left your baby in childcare?

[LanguageAsAFlower]

Just left DS (6.5 months) for his "taster" session at nursery. Today is just 1/2 an hour... so I'm sitting in a cafe opposite waiting to go and get him! So nervous

Tell me stories (good and bad) about your baby's first time in childcare.

Two kids both went into nursery at 11mo. DS1 used to be fine at drop off but cried his eyes out at pick up, it was like he thought we were never coming for him. He's three now and now cries almost every day at drop off, it breaks my heart but he's fine within five minutes and at pick up he doesn't want to come home! He's a bit of an emotional child mind you.

DS2, was ill just before I returned to work from mat leave so missed his settling in. It was straight in at the deep end for him but he just sauntered in and has done pretty much every day since. He's always got a big smile, naps great, eats everything and generally seems to love it.

So - the upshot of that is - it depends on the child!

I found it really hard. We split our leave and DP had three months at home with her before she went to nursery and I didn't find it hard going back to work so wasn't expecting to find it hard leaving her at nursery. But she loves it so much there, she never really complained about being left, and they love her so it that makes it easier.

Dropped DD1 at childminder at 4 months. No problem. Added DD2 at the same age. Ditto. Stimulating for them to have social contact with other kids.
DH then died and childminder had mental health breakdown and stopped working. Major upset, but managed to get a nanny after 4 weeks bereavement leave. Had nannies until DDs were 9 and 7, then out of school club.
As long as your nursery, minder or whatever childcare is trustworthy, let them get on with it.

He does seem to love it there.

He's the youngest by quite a bit though. I'd love to be able to stay home longer.

Oh Babdoc, you sound like you can deal with anything!

Dd started nursery at 13 months. She cried a lot for the two settling in sessions. After a few weeks she still cried at drop off but was easily cajoled with breakfast apparently. She's been there nearly 3 months now and she doesn't cry at drop off, but still isn't keen on being left. The staff say she is fine within 5 mins though and she eats very well and sleeps amazingly (both better than at home). It's been my husband that does most drop offs and i think he lingers a bit more than I do, I literally put her down in the room and leave with no eye contact. I don't know whose approach works better but i know she's fine so don't see the point in prolonging the departure! I'm sure your LO will be fine with whatever childcare you use

I put my DS to a childminder on a Wednesday (I work Monday-Wednesday but MIL has him Mon and DH is off on Tuesdays) and I think I cried more than him on his first settling in session. He is no longer with that child minder as I found out she was mistreating him. He is now with a much nicer lady - he's 18 months now and he's normally fine going in but he cried this morning.
Looking back I wish I'd put him to nursery but where I live they are so in demand they will only take children for a minimum of 2 days and I just can't afford that.