How to build up nursery

[Mango11]

I’m going back to work when my baby is 12.5 months old so she’ll need to be in nursery 3 consecutive days a week with hours potentially as long as 07:30-18:30. She’s currently pretty much always with me, breastfeeds regularly, doesn’t take milk in a bottle or cup and prefers to contact or pram nap. I’m really struggling with working out when to start nursery and how to build it up. I was thinking of doing 2 half days for 2 weeks then 2 long days the next week (shortened) then 3 long days for the first time the week I go back. I’m not sure if I should have her more established in long days before I go back but also want to maximise our time together too. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions please? I’m feeling rather stressed over this!

Have you spoken to the nursery? Usually they offer settling in sessions starting with you staying with them then leaving them for an hour, then half a day. I find they settle better when they go more often. I wouldn't worry about the breastfeeding, mine just had water, food and cows milk at nursery then had big feeds at bedtime after nursery. Both still BF until 3.

I work in a nursery and would really recommend giving yourself a month to work up to the longer days. There's the inevitable illness that comes with starting and it depends how flexible your job is to leaving early if baby can't manage a full day. It's better to start earlier and have less pressure and you can feel comfortable nursery is in going well before going back yourself. We make it work when it all happens very quickly with some families but it is more stressful for the family. You always get some that settle low a dream but that is not easy to predict. It often gets worse before it gets better so frequent shorter days are ideal.

@SoloholidayThanks for your reply. I asked the nursery and they said they do two settling in sessions, one with me then one without then it’s up to me what I want to do and to just email them over a plan.

@idontknow202 thank you, building up over a longer period sounds sensible. Perhaps I’ll do the 3 days a week from earlier and definitely build up to longer days

I agree with pp, have as long a settling in period as you can afford, ideally a few months, but as long as you can manage.

I work with slightly older (2+) but I agree with frequent shorter days eg. Half days every day is much better than 3 longer days. It's hard if they go 3 days then have 4 off then need to 'restart' again. Or even 2, one day gap, then another. The more regular rhythm the better. If it were me, I would do 2 weeks of half days, 2 weeks of half plus 2 longer days and then go to all long days, by which time hopefully the baby is settled and knows people. Ask nursery their food times and nap routines and start doing these at home.