6.5 month old starting nursery - reassure me!

[Cdl84]

My baby will be going to nursery 2 days per week in march when he will be 6.5 months old. I'm very anxious as he will only nap on me, and only in a dark room with white noise on! I have spoken to the nursery who told me not to worry and they will try whatever they need to but I cant imagine him sleeping there. Also he will be weaning and is reluctant to takes bottles - we keep trying and he sometimes takes them. I have never been away from him for more than a few hours and it all just makes me feel so anxious. Just looking for some reassurance / advice from anyone with experience.

Sounds like you’ve got a few weeks to get him into better sleeping habits. That’s probably what I’d focus on. While nursery will surely do their best, a nursery nurse tends to have 3 babies in her care so there’s only so much that will be possible.

I'm a nursery nurse. We do what we need to do to help babies sleep no matter how old. Some settle themselves quietly, some are rocked to sleep, some don't want to be cuddled/ stroked, others have a little cry to settle themselves... we get to know what works best for each baby. Try not to worry too much.... easier said than done I know!

I had a similar fussy sleeper. She napped on day 2 at nursery! On the floor, with the lights on and lots of background noise. I was astonished.

He'll get tired and he'll sleep. He'll get thirsty and he'll drink. Don't worry! It will be fine. 6.5 months is a great age for him to learn some new habits

Thanks, that does make me feel better. I do think it will be fine once he is there, it's more the anticipation of all the changes to come.

Mine started at 5 months. Reflux, cmpa, never took a bottle while awake (dream feeds all the way), and also slept only upright on me with white noise. He napped from day 1 at nursery, apprently they just put him down in a cot, buggy or on the floor, awake, and off he goes! He behaves totally different there, very common apparently.

You’ll be surprised what nursery workers manage to do

It'll be fine OP. My daughter was only a little older then your DS when she started nursery and was totally fine. Took a couple of weeks to get into the swing of napping and now she does two hour stints there. Try not to worry although I know it's basically impossible!