Putting baby in nursery at 1 year old

[123456kent]

In October my baby will be going to nursery for 2 days a week while I go back to work. She’ll be there for long days, probably 7.30-6pm.
She’s currently breast fed so I am working towards getting her happily on a bottle - that’s worrying me.
But what is mostly worrying me and keeping me awake at night (when she isn’t, with a cold or teething!) is how she and I are going to cope without eachother. Our bond feels very strong, although I’m sure normal, any time away from her feels wrong (although she obviously drives me mad and i find 24/7 childcare quite boring). I can’t bear the thought of her missing me and being sad without me, or needing me or my comfort and me not being there. I feel like I’m breaking her trust and failing as a mum and not fulfilling my role. I am so scared she won’t be happy there!
I’m also very nervous of the germs, sleep and eating disruptions that will come with nursery. I’m quite strict on routine at home so it will be a big change handing over the reigns.
Can I have some advice/stories please?

I think you need to gradually get her used to being away from you asap.
Could you have someone look after her for half an hr one day, then a couple of hours and gradually increase it?
I think the most important thing is that your LO few confident that when you go away, you WILL return. Starting with a very short separation (I.e. 30mins or even 10mins while you nip to the shops) will really do the trick. This sounds silly but I vividly remember being put in playschool when I was about 3 and I cried my little heart out as I thought my mum was not coming back. I missed her so much and she was gone for what felt like forever. I'm convinced that if she would have started out with leaving me for just a little while, I'd have fared better on my first day at playschool.
I also remember my cousin leaving her DS with us a few years back. He howled for hours before we could calm him down. He kept trying to go to the front door. It was horrible. However, my cousin started a game with him where she'd say 'be back soon' and she'd pretend to go out. She'd then re-appear after a few minutes and ask her DS if he'd been good, what he'd been up to, etc. It got to the point where he'd happily wave her off at the window when she really went out. He was 18 months at the time.

Thank you for your response!!
Sorry, I completely forgot to say, we are used to being away from eachother when she is being looked after by my parents or OH. I’ve done 10 days at work and regularly leave her with them to do shopping or multiple wedding related trips (we are getting married in a few months so one week I viewed 7 venues and left her with them each time). So it’s not really leaving her in itself that’s a problem, it’s leaving her with strangers and not with people that love her as much as me... I guess eventually it will become a home from home at nursery but I just cannot bear the thought of her crying for some comfort and there only being a stranger there to give it to her :-(

The thing is- they won't be strangers for long. You and DD will get to know them and trust them and DD will form bonds with them. Of course this won't happen instantly- but it will happen. Both my DSs have adored their nursery key workers, and been genuinely adored in return.

As regards the BF, at one I really wouldn't expend energy trying to get her to take a bottle. Mine went to nursery at 10 months and just had solids and water (in a sippy cup) during the day (and BF morning and evening). They had cows milk at nursery once they were over one.

I think it kind of depends on the child to some extent. DD2 settled quickly and adored her key worker, she followed her around everywhere, whereas DD1 took a little longer to get used to it.

As for the germs, while some of it again depends on the inidividual, some degree of illness is to be expected in the first year. But on the upside, they should have a well built immune system once they get to school age!

It really depends on the child. My DD started nursery at 18mo and needed two weeks of gradual introduction, spending only 15 minutes at nursery each time because she was so distraught. My DS started at 1yo , walked into the room and never looked back. He did a half day on day two.

I think that most children thrive around other kids and going to nursery and learning that Mummy and daddy Always come back makes for secure children. All a good thing really.

You'll both be fine. Both mine have gone to nursery before 1. DD did find it quite difficult but she would find it difficult now if she was just starting -because she's always been used to it she loves it now. I'm not going to lie though, it has been hard.

DS has always been fine. He loves it there and gives everyone lots of cuddles!

In the baby room they will follow the routine you want and IME they are very loving and nice with the babies.