Positive nursery start stories - struggling with start!

[Starryeyed2021]

Hello All
could anyone share any positive stories or insight I’m really struggling :(
my baby is almost 1 and had a few 1-2hr transition sessions at nursery but she’s not settling she cries almost whole session, on dropping off , refuses milk , refuses sleep and is just not improving as I thought she would have afte r 6 sessions ( two days a week)
itw getting closer to my work start date and I’m no longer going to be able to just go when they say come get her which they have as they can’t settle her

is this normal? I am so stressed and sad I can’t eat I can’t sleep , it’s really hard for me emotionally as I already have anxiety I’m just so sad as to her being sad and just the feeling when she doesn’t want to let go and screams

We only had a couple of very short settling sessions before I started a new job and my son (who’s my 3rd!) started full days. The first week they called me a few afternoons saying he was inconsolable because he hadn’t napped. I was SO worried - and stressed as I had a new job and couldn’t obviously kee going every day to collect! We juggled some stuff and did a week of half days so he napped at home and got proper break, and then went to full time again. He absolutely LOVES it now. Grins from ear to ear when we arrive, leans towaRds her key worker. She’s so happy at home and sleeping and eating amazingly in both places. I was really so concerned at first, especially as he was my 3rd and seems to have taken everything in his stride so far! But hang on in there and it will get so much better!

I was in the same situation with settling in sessions for my DD at 1yr, I hadn’t expected it at all as she was previously so happy to be left with family and go to new people etc. It really shook me tbh. I’ll be honest the first few weeks were tough at drop off especially but it gradually improved and within a few weeks she was happily going in and having great days there, eating and sleeping well. She has had a couple of weeks unsettled again recently (now 17 months) just to warn you it might not be linear, I think just because we went away on holiday so her routine got thrown. Gradually getting better again! She has learnt so much there and come on in leaps and bounds with physical development and speech since starting too. She loves the staff and blows them kisses when she leaves. Speak to the staff to see if there’s anything you can do to help settle your baby in. Ours suggested leaving a top I’d worn so she could use it as a comforter with my scent, and they also asked us to email some photos so they could make her a picture book of familiar faces to show her. Good luck x

Hi there!
I just wondered how you were getting on? We've just had our 3rd settling in session and we left her over her "nap time" and she lost her shit!! I got a call an hr in to ask us to try and settle her for a nap which didn't work! For context, she's a massive boob baby and still contact naps at 11 months. I'm just so worried about her but start back at work in 3 weeks... will she be okay?!? Xxx

Tbh probably picking up on your anxiety !! If you can go in there next session very positive, happy, smiley and hand her over and say goodbye see you later and leave her there!

she will also probably settle easier if you just don’t prolong the drop up literally drop and go and leave the staff to it! The more relaxed you are the better she will pick up on it - honestly if she sees you are relaxed with the staff and happy to be there she will be more happy to stay

i know how hard it is. My daughter started at 10 months (now 18 months) took a while but she loves it there ! She was confident going in after a few weeks - now she just walks in herself and doesn’t even look back (now I’m like jeez she doesn’t even care I’m leaving ffs)

I used to drop her off and her lip would quiver and I knew she was upset and I’d just say ok well you have a great day love you and wave and walk away smiling (fighting back the tears myself)

Hi all sorry I had completely forgotten to come back and feedback. Actually as soon as we went to three days and she was walking ( so I think more confident) she settled in better slowly slowly stared walking in herself etc it just takes time I think but consistency is important! Unfortunately I’ve had to take her off nursery now ironically after all that crap getting her settled in because she’s getting too many back to back illnesses ( I think from Nursery) and I can barely work so it doesn’t make sense I end up paying from pocket for nursery and can’t work as I’m home with her most of it. I do feel I may have started her too early perhaps 2-3 was better and body would have been stronger ?