5 month old settling with cm… am I panicking over nothing?

[89Ann]

Hi

My DD is coming up 5 months, I will be returning to work in Jan, initially 3 days and 4 days from March and I have had a cm lined up since before I gave birth. I was (am!) hoping to do some KIT days before Christmas so we have started settling in sessions this week. Had planned on 2 x 2 hour sessions for this week and next but on the first session she was very upset so the cm suggested starting with 1 hour which we have done yesterday and today. She cried when I left both days, yesterday she whinged for half an hour then napped the other (constantly cuddled by cm). Today she cried the whole hour. I sort of expected it, she isn’t usually held by anyone but me, DH and my mum but underestimated how awful I would feel/the fear of what if she never settles. I love my job and absolutely plan to go back in January.

Anyone have any positive stories to make me feel better? Thank you x

It’s early days. She will settle

The fact she fell asleep on CM is a good thing

If she was that unhappy she wouldn’t have done

My youngest DD started at the childminder's when she was a year old. She was born in the first lockdown, so not really been left with anyone before. It took quite a few settling in sessions, and I stayed for a while, as she was quite upset when I left. She's been there 6 months now and absolutely loves it and has little friends to play with.
It'll take a little while, but she'll get there.

It’s very early days.
Both my children settled in nursery but it did take a good while.
My dd would be so worked up some days after I picked her up it would take a good half an hour to calm her, but she got there and loved it and wanted to even go on her days at home.
My 2 year old DS only was held my me and dh mainly because of lockdowns. I was really concerned about him starting nursery.
Yes he cried for many months at drop off, but he slept, he ate and played. So guess he was happy.
He now goes in most day happy, have the odd emotional day but that’s normal when he is getting a cold.
Could try sending something that smells of you, like a scarf?
It will also get easier for you. I found once I was back at work I had no option so he had to get on with it.
It’s very new to you both but she will get in to a routine of going, it might just take a while.

I have worked in nurseries/ a child minding assistant / as a nanny .....

They do get there. I know you feel bad because she's been crying - but honestly; they do get there. It may take time, but once they settle they love it!

My youngest dd is 4 months & she is the same when left with other people; but she's slowly beginning to get there with being left.

Does she have a toy / teddy that she likes that you could take with her to the childminders? It will have your smell on it so may settle her ... she slept on the CM which is a good thing; she feels safe and comforted by her so it's a step in the right direction

She will get there. DS was 9 months when did settling in sessions and he was born 2 days into the first lockdown so literally met the CM before most family. We did around 8 settling sessions, 3 one hour, 3 four hour and 2 six hour before we went into an 8 hour day. He got used to it but we found the longer he was there the better. I used to sent a blanket that I had basically worn so it had my smell on it.

Thank you so much for your replies and reassurance ☺️ I am sending her with a muslin I have been sleeping with. She cried again when I dropped her off this morning so we will see when I pick her up in 25 mins if we have had any progress. She is happy once I get her home and is sleeping ok so hopefully not affecting her too much 🤞🏻