To put my 6 week old baby in to nursery for 1 half day a week so i can have a break?

[babylovesmilk]

I am pregnant with my 3rd child and am planning to put my new baby in nursery from 9 -1, 1 day a week. My other DC will be at school. I had PND with my last child, have no family nearby and think the break will be a life line. AIBU?

Not at all.

Enjoy.

Absolutely not. Being a parent is about survival and you need to take whatever breaks you can to make it work for you.

Personally I couldn't have left my boys when they were so tiny but I totally understand why you would.

Good luck!

I don't think so. If it's the difference between you coping or not, then it's definitely the right choice for you & your family. Lots of people may say that it's not what they would do, but I think that it's good that you're actively considering ways of making life better for you all & not just burying your head in the sand. Good luck to you!

Not at all: though check that the nursery will take a young baby, I think most won't take babies under 3 months.

solid - I never thought of that, will do!

I have a friend who kept her 2 year old in day care despite being on maternity leave after having her baby. He's away 2 days every week. At first I thought it was a bit odd, but she does have more time to herself than I do

I can totally see your point but at 6 weeks I wouldn't personally but your baby your choices.

I know how hard it is I have a 4 yo a nearly 3yo a 4 month old and no family help.

DD1 goes to nursey 5 mornings a week and DD2 3 mornings it's been a lifeline for me. TBH I enjoy the time just me and DD3 it's the easy time.

No, I don't think so. Es[ecially if you feel it's the only way to avoid PND. I'd not do it, but YMMV as they say.

But I know round here you'd not find a nursery that would take a child under 3 months

Not in the slightest - whatever helps you to feel you can cope better. Congrats & gl with bump III.

you go for it and enjoy your time

Yanbu, you are being a very sensible and fantastic mother! If it means you will feel better rested and happier then your 3 dcs will reap the benefits - good luck

Thank you all so much - you have made me feel that it is the right thing to do.

You might also find a nanny with spare time willing to do this for a bit of extra cash? Also there would be no worries of how old baby is etc too?! Just an idea that might help!

I would have thought nursery would be too difficult to organise at that age and if you are bf it would be more hassle than it's worth.

At that age I would have liked someone to take the baby out for a long walk in its pram for an hour or two while I caught up on some sleep.

not at all

though i agree with nbee - and prob because i am a nanny

but as your baby is so young, i would consider getting a nanny - that way IF you need/want a bit of extra help with your other 2 then the nanny could pick them up for you etc

anything that makes a mum happy = happy children = a relaxed mum

you might find an agency carer who will look after your LO in your own house. Thats what we do. dd has carers come in 5 times a week for 3 hours so I can get a rest. It means I get a break but can watch her!
It was hellsih at first cos dd cried for 18 hours a day for 2 years so would scream at the carers. But I'd reached a point of rather them than me! She's now 4 and loves the attention.

go for it. you need a break so you can be of some use to your kids and not tired all the time. thought of a childminder?

I couldn't have left DS for that long at that age, but I was extremely grateful for the times that DH and SIL took him off for a walk for an hour or so every so often.

YANBU but you might find it very hard if you are BF. I used to go to work for about 3-4 hours a week from 3 months and although I was a zombie, I did enjoy the break.

The nursery we were going to use (I still don't like leaving DS all day at 9 months so we're using family instead and I'm working a couple of hours a day) would only take them for a minimum of 6 hours at a time, so you definitely need to ask around about that as well as age.

If you've got a half day booked and paid, I'm sure you can just leave your new DC there for an hour or two, if you're not comfortable with longer initially and work up to the whole half day.

Message withdrawn

Honestly? I wish I could have done something like this when ds was tiny!
Same as you, I don't any family or friends nearby and I found it quite tough at times looking after my ds, obviously I got a break at the weekends when DH was at home but I think there were times during the week where I could have done with a few hours break to get a bit of space!
I think a childminder would be better as I think you would be hard pressed to find a nursery to take a baby so young.

Good luck

I would be worried about expsoing a six week old to bugs from the other children in a nursery, so maybe a childminder would be better.

yanbu - & if you're bf then this will help against the bugs of the other kids. As you have 2 others then your baby is already getting this bug exposure!

Have you thought about hiring a doula who can help around the house, with your other children, cook meals and give you a break from your baby too?

I am planning to BF but am thinking about baby having formula on that half day only.

I have thought about a CM but I do not feel happy handing my baby over to the care of one person. The nursery I want to use is one that DS went to (was alot older) so I feel confident in the staff and manager. I will need to check if they will take the baby so young.

I don't want someone in my home at that stage as I don't think I will relax! [blush}

Thanks for all these points!!

belgo - I'm not worried about the bugs TBH, i agree with cupoftea.