Settling in & Activities for 8 month old

[DefNotYummyMummy]

My baby is 8 months old and hasn't ever been left with anyone else. We have no family around and I am exclusively b/f and weaning isn't going so well (but that's another story !)
I have to go back to work and I am going to leave him with a CM for 2 mornings a week. I wanted to know what you girls think is the best way to get him used to her.
Unfortunately just in the last week he has started to be really clingy (he was absolutely fine before), and so I am worried that he will get very distressed (also he wont have the added comfort of any breastfeed - although it will only be 4 hours apart).
He starts at the beginning of June. He is currently a very happy child (only cries when me or my husband go out of sight !!!). He is always laughing, and I think when he gets used to her, he will be fine.
I am meeting the CM next week, but I was wondering if you had any ideas on how to start. Also, do you have any suggestions of what activities could she do with him ? She has been 'out of the game' for 10 years, and she has asked me to let her know what I would like her to do with him. Also, should I give her a book to put down information from the day for me ?
Sorry about so many questions. D-Day is coming and I am dreading it.
Many Thanks. I didn't think this part would be so hard.

I'm not a CM, but have left both mine with CM. It's not an easy age for them to start as 8 months is when separation anxiety kicks in. They think when they lose sight of you that it means that you are not coming back.
They understand a lot. So you can help by explaining to him. Eg. 'Mummy's going to the toilet. I will be back in two minutes'. He will start to trust you that you will come back. So when you leave him with the childminder, he will know you are coming back.
I think a book in which she notes down what he has been up to is a great idea.
Can she take him a bit before you go back? Eg for an hour the first time.

Yes she is going to take him next week for an hour and then once a week leading up to June when she'll be taking him for 4 hours and so hopefully he'll get used to her. I can't bear him crying and being upset. I know he'll be fine in the end and that it's something that just needs to be done, but I just hate doing it.

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, and he's young enough to be easily distracted so if he's still crying when you leave, you can be sure that he'll be over the distress quicker than you!
It will help if you are convinced he's going to be fine as he will pick up on your feelings.

I cried half way to work (30 min journey) when I left DS and then started worrying about whether I'd still remember how to do my job!

I think that doing some short settling-in periods is a good idea, and might make things a little easier for you (about not feeling so bad about leaving ds). Even if babies are going through a clingy stage, they usually soon get used to having another carer. I've given expressed breastmilk to babies, and they usually accept it as long as their mum isn't around - will you be able to leave some for the CM if needs be?

When you say that your CM has been "out of the game" for 10 years, do you mean she hasn't cared for a baby since then? I assume that she has some toys suitable for his age?

We do lots of singing, looking at (and attempting to trash) books, peek-a-boo-type games, lots of being silly, and being out and about - I'm sure she will soon remember!

I used to work in babyroom private day nursery; Im sure your baby will be fine once settled. He might cry first few times left. Best thing to do is give him a kiss and cuddle say bye then go, keep the leaving him bit short and sweet - the longer you make the harder it will be for your baby. Give the cm a call after 30 mins to see how he is.