To put my 6 month old baby in childcare?

[strugglingmomx]

I have a 6 month old baby and a 6 year old (disabled) child. My older child is in school during the week, but I am still struggling so much. I have autoimmune conditions myself and really trying to overcome PND.

I have no 'village' it's just me, my partner and our children. No one that could even take the baby for an hour. My partner works through the day and is incredible when he's here, but I am still just struggling so bad.

I don't have a job (I'm doing my postgrad September 2025 and baby would be in full time nursery from then anyway)

Would I be unreasonable to put baby in nursery one day a week? It would be the nursery my son went to for 3 years so I really do like the nursery/staff. I feel like I should just suck it up, but I'm worried about my mental health going forward and I know having this one day break would help so much.

Has anyone had experience of putting their baby in nursery so young?

Yanbu at all, baby will be fine. I went back to work when mine was 6 months and he went 2 days a week from then. He had a few taster days at 5 months. He stayed there until he was 3 and has lovely memories of the place. I’m a teacher and I sent him in the school holidays too with no guilt at all- stopping him would have affected his routine, he had 5 other days of the week with me and I needed those 2 days to get everything in the house done and have a hot cup of tea. He’s almost 12 now and we have a lovely bond so it’s had no negative impact at all.

Of course it isn’t unreasonable, I’d do 2 days if you can afford it to make it easier for baby to settle.

Mine went at 3 months, FT too. No regrets.

My DS went form 9 months one day he’s now 18 months and goes twice a week he loves it, I’m due No3 and will be sending from 6months for a day a week. It’s a childminder so slightly different maybe? But I’m all for it, everyone needs a break I don’t do long days 9 till 2.30 as he won’t nap there and gets cranky So still has time for a nap. You have to do what you need in order to be the best version of your self for your children. I felt guilty but honestly don’t.

This makes me feel so much better already. I think the guilt stems from me not technically having to send the baby in - as I don't work etc - it's purely for my benefit so it seems selfish. But at the same time I cannot pour from an empty cup!

Do it You wouldn’t think twice if you were going back to work. What’s the difference?

Definitely do it. You sound burnt out and your children need you to be ok. Your baby will be fine.

It’s not selfish at all.
The best thing you can do for your children is to look after their Mother
💚

I have a friend who works part time but has her baby in nursery for one of her days off so she has a day to herself and she’s done this since baby was 8 months. As you say you can’t pour from an empty cup so if you need a day to yourself it’s not selfish to take one.

I'd consider if 2 half days would be a better option but if you want a whole day why not! Some people have to put their children in 5 days a week.

In the US most go to daycare at 4 months old.

Mine went to nursery full time from 6 months - there was no 9 months paid mat leave back then. They're fine. You will be a better parent for having a break and some time to rest.

I had twins.

I sent them to a childminder one day a week from six months so I could sleep,

Do it.

Your baby will be fine although I'd also recommend two days if you can afford it. When I first started working in childcare, 3 month old were standard due to limited maternity leave. The youngest was 6 weeks! They settled much better than the older babies we now get. Looking after your mental health is essential and as you already know the staff/nursery, it'd be good for both you and baby.