Really upset, have to go back to work full-time on Monday and leave 7mo dd in nursery. Need support.

[ChunkysMum]

DD has been having a settling in day today and I've just been crying.

I miss her so much.

I hated the first 5 months at home with her. Had PND and loads of breast feeding difficulties so I've only just started really enjoying being with her. I love it.

Unfortunately, I HAVE to go back full-time until next year or give up my chosen career.

Once I get to next June I can go to part-time.

Not only am I upset about missing DD, I feel guilty about leaving her. I worry being in nursery, even the really good one she's in, will negatively impact her development.

She is such a lovely, lively child and I worry nursery will change her. I worry she'll no longer be attached to me, or love me or recognise me as her Mummy.

Has anyone else had to go back to work full-time so early? How did it go?

I know that in some ways I'm lucky as next year I'll have a decent wage and be able to be part time. We just have to manage for one year. So why can't I stop crying?

totally understandable, but i must reassure you, she will always know you and love you as her mummy ! I went back when my DS ( now almost 13) was 6 months old and it was hard, but I had to. He was fine. His personality did not change and he was a happy smiley baby there and at home... it is gut wrenching, but the year will fly by and you will enjoy the time withher in the evenings and the weekends so much more too x

My eldest DS went to nursery (part time) at four months and my youngest at five months when I went back to work. I was more than happy (and ready!) for them to go and to reclaim a bit of my old life, but that didn't stop me sobbing in the car like a loon when I first left them...
..and to reassure you, they were absolutely fine and dare I say it, both thrived at nursery. I cherished and enjoyed even more the time when I was with them and they have developed into confident, sociable and intelligent boys who went off to school without a backward glance. At 9 and 7 now they still recount the fun times they had at nursery, and we remember it with fondness.

Thank you.

So far she's enjoyed nursery, but is really struggling to nap there. So I've had an overtired baby when she gets home.

my dd is now 8mo, & started 5wks ago. I am lucky that I have a lot of leave to use up so am on reduced weeks, but even then I won't say it is easy. She is loving it there, and is as smiley and continuing to develop apace (almost crawling and pulling herself up to sitting this week ). Sleep will settle in time, there is so much to see & do that I don't blame her for not wanting to nap... We all go through the same guilt and sadness, but I do think it is good for their development to spend time in the company of similar aged & slightly older babies.

I forgot to say how her face lights up when I arrive... Doesn't make leaving her any easier but it is heartwarming

I went back to work at 6 months with DS. It is horrible at first but it will be OK. It's normal to feel guilty, but you will both get benefits from the time apart (I'm a much better mum for not being with my children all the time, for example). And no-one will replace you - you will still be mum.

Oh poor you. it is really hard going back to work... but it does get better. Be kind to yourself.