How long to settle in to nursery?

[Paperyfish]

My dd is 11 months and I have to go back to work. She’s going to go to nursery 2 days a week and my mil ( who is wonderful) 1 day a week.
Dd had a settle in session yesterday for 1 hour where I stayed. Then today for 1 hr whilst I left. She was very anxious and cried several times. She did show interest in some of the toys they had out and the other babies, so it wasn’t like she was inconsolable the whole time.
I hate the thought of her being upset and looking for me and not finding me.
The reality is I need to go back to work.
I don’t want to hear about how I shouldn’t put her in nursery so young. I have limited options. It’s a good nursery. I am confident they will keep her safe, care for her and help her grow.
But…I hate the thought of her being scared without me.
How long did it take before your babies went in to nursery happy and confident?

Bump

This is one aspect of longer maternity leave that makes life more difficult. The Mum has been used to spending all day with the baby, but also many little ones get some separation anxiety at around 10 - 11 months. When I went back to work after 3 months ML, the dc didn't mind who was looking after them as long as they were fed, changed and loved, and were very used to going to Nurseries or CMers by the time they were 10 months or so - it was just what always happened.
The question you are asking is a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string?' type question though. Some babies are happy much earlier than others. Some who don't go very often can take a while longer to settle than those that go every day. Some Nurseries are no doubt better than others. Some babies are more adaptable than others. Some have SEND which might make it difficult but might yet be unidentified.

Overwhelmingly, they will be fine. It is the parent leaving them that usually struggles more than the child

It varies lovely. My little one took about a month to settle properly; but then adored it…he’s grown into a happy sociable engaging child who was in nursery full time from 10 months so it’s done him no harm. I promise they are skilled in settling children and it won’t take long before it becomes a place she recognises and is happy to go in. I remember how hard this stage was for me as a parent but I definitely worried over nothing.

They are all different but it can take time to settle. My first settled in the baby room immediately- I was actually quite upset she didn’t seem to care. But, she really struggled transitioning rooms. My second was the opposite: settling in the baby room took a while but she had a much easier transition between rooms.you’re still very early days and it is hard at first.

DD1 started nursery at that age and settled quicker than DD2 who started at 2 yrs. I actually left work when DD1 was 2 yrs but she continued with some much reduced nursery sessions because she loved. Despite being separate by the pandemic and going to to different school nursery she still sees and classes one of her old nursery friends as a good friend.