What Should I Take / Do Before Starting Nursery

[Elizabeth2019]

Morning. So my LG is starting nursery at 6 months old, she’s bf but happy to take bottles of EBM and formula. We’ve got a sleeping aid toy that she regularly falls to sleep with on her own, but she’s a pretty bad nap-er during the day. We’ve had the odd GP looking after her for a few hours at various points and she’s fairly happy and easy to look after (for them). I’m a bit anxious about it and if I could financially afford to stay off I would (so please no advise to stay off with her).

My plan is to take ebm and formula in for her, the nursery is happy to offer her ebm first then formula. For naps, her sleep toy thing (we’ve got 2) and 2 blankets that smell like me/her. They’ve said they can cuddle to sleep, stroke etc if required - which it might be if she’s being nosey and won’t settle. We’re going to do a weeks worth of settling in sessions (more for me) to increase the time and me leaving, I’m not adversed to advice on this if it’s better not to draw it out?

Am I missing anything obvious to help prepare her? (Please be kind as I’ve read another thread which make me super anxious about it)

It's always hard leaving them, but it sounds like you are both well prepared. My only advice would be when you leave her, make your goodbye swift and cheerful, even if she cries. If you linger or appear upset, it will make it harder. So stay if you are staying, but if you are dropping her off, don't hanget around!

It sounds like you’re amazingly ready! My two started at 9 and 11 months, I noticed that babies who started at 6/7 months seemed to settle into Nursery much more quickly and happily.

To reassure: DS1 was a clingy baby who had rarely been left with anyone and who wouldn’t nap unless he fed to sleep. After settling in sessions (which are definitely worth it - do be led by the nursery) he developed a strong bond with his key person and amazingly napped and ate really well.

DS2 was a bottle refuser and went on a nap strike when he started nursery because it was all so interesting. They were brilliant about finding new ways to get him to drop off and stay asleep. I loved the baby room, there would usually be at least one adult with one or more babies draped across her because they only wanted to sleep on a person.

They are now 7 and 3, and our babysitters are all from nursery, and both kids adore them.

My only word of warning is your comfort object - have more than one, and rotate them so they’re equally worn. They will be disgusting after a good day at nursery - paint and sand and shaving foam. I ended up with four Froggys for DS1, and I still have a scar from the blister I got searching the department stores of Oxford St for the EXACT RIGHT LALA after my husband lost the only one we had.

@Clarabellawilliamson I’m going to try a swift exit when I leave (I currently do that but end up on the phone to my mum or DH mum to check she’s okay still).

@JassyRadlett Thank you so much for the reassurance, logically I think she will be fine. The nursery is good, friends rave about it but we had a wobble when I visited and the baby room was PACKED with toddlers all nearer to 2 than baby. Another trip had a baby happily napping in a cot, and 2 being entertained by staff. I will definitely get some more of her seahorse, pretty sure both sets of grandparents have also brought one after a recent melt down because I forgot to pack one 🤭

Should I look at other comforting products to introduce before she goes? I’m not really in with any other mums having to leave babies yet, so not sure what I’m doing really.

My little boy just started (albeit at 16 months). We were advised to bring a few comfort toys in - so he has a favourite book, a cuddly toy, and a pair of my shorts that he likes to carry around. I also bought a book about going to nursery, but that's probably not age appropriate for you.

Big smiles, leave swiftly, and cry in the car, not in front of your little girl!

@sar302 I wouldn’t want to cry in front of her when leaving her as I think it will make her think there is something to be sad about. She’s got a (lot) of cuddly toys but is more interested in lights and small hard teething things currently, I can just pack a few of those for her and see which she prefers? I was told not to take anything too precious or sentimental as I know that kids can be boisterous and things break. So if I pack her favourite blanket thing (given so no replacement) could I phase it out once she’s been going a while?

Should I look at other comforting products to introduce before she goes? I’m not really in with any other mums having to leave babies yet, so not sure what I’m doing really.

We only had one, and it worked well. Like you I was the first to go back to work from my group of new mums (though luckily DH took parental leave after I went back) - it’s tough being the first!

I think that would be fine! We've been told the items are really only for transition, as they risk being lost. Obviously the workers are making a special effort at the beginning, but I know they can't run after him forever. But I like to think they're helping for now. He loves to read, and he's read his book with one of the workers every day!

I mentioned the crying because I'm not really a crying person, but this has made me emotional in a way I just didn't see coming!! But I think we'll both calm down after a while

I feel you! I definitely ended up crying about the thought of her leaving me when I’m usually not very emotionally demonstrative. Thank you for your help. I’m sure I’ll be a mess and wanting to go check on her constantly but hopefully she won’t notice until I return to pick her up!

If there's anyway you can see her, before she sees you at pick up, do that. I've peeped through the glass in the door, and he's been sat quite happily having his lunch, but as soon as he sees me, he starts crying. It's really put my mind at rest seeing him happy. I never go away wondering if he's cried all day!