Leaving baby at nursery

[Wowjustwow99]

Sorry just need some hand holding.

I've just dropped my 8 month old baby girl off at nursery for a 2 hour taste and feeling a little sad.
I've left her at nursery before for 30 minute tastes.

I've never left her this long with anyone other than her dad.

How did you feel leaving your baby at nursery ?

I cried all the way home (mine was 7.5 months). Rang my DH who thought someone had died through my sobs. It got better.

I felt a bit guilty more than anything, she didn’t like seeing me go but I called as soon as I got home to check she was ok.

I had been leaving her with family from 3 months old though as that’s when I went back to work. Was far easier leaving her then.

Mine were at nursery from 4 months (maternity leave has got a lot more generous over the years). Ultimately I didn't have a choice. I needed to go back to work so we all just had to get on with it. I know I will have cried on the first day but it is what it is.

I’ve started leaving my nine month old for full days and it’s been hard because she’s been teething and her key worker has said she’s been crying a lot. Since she’s not ill exactly, I don’t feel I can say to work I need the time off. So have been trying to carry on, sending her with teething gel. If I could leave her with family it would feel a lot easier, but that’s not an option.

I left mine for her first taster session at 10m and tbh i was really excited for her - it felt like the beginning of her life, in a way, the first time she'd go and have adventures and experiences without me or her dad, she started her own separate existence that was completely apart from us, and I was absolutely psyched for it.

Looking at everyone else's comments, maybe that makes me weird!

I just picked me daughter up. She loved it, I think she is ready to socialise with other children. We haven't been able to go to any baby groups etc due to lockdown and we don't know anyone in the area we live.
The nursery is on a dairy farm with loads of animals the children can see from the windows.

I would love to be able to leave her with family but don't have anyone we can do that with. I unforntantley have to go back to work full time. 😥

Left mine at a similar age, it was hard but it gets easier. He is now 5 and I have no regrets.

@Ohalrightthen I don't find that's weird at all. I'm excited about her having adventures etc
My worry is she won't settle and it will put stress on her. She seems to enjoying it.

I was worried, he was a similar age and had only ever cuddled to sleep and even that wasn't easy (he still doesn't sleep well!). I went back to pick him up and he was fast asleep. I knew then that he'd be just fine!

I'm glad all went well for you both

[quote Wowjustwow99]@Ohalrightthen I don't find that's weird at all. I'm excited about her having adventures etc
My worry is she won't settle and it will put stress on her. She seems to enjoying it.[/quote]
My little girl really loved it too, i think actually that sorta age is a bit of a sweet spot for nursery, they just kinda go "oh OK, new place and people, fun times!" and get on with it.

It’s so hard for mums at that age but as someone who went back to work at 9 months and is now a childminder it’s so much easier to settle at that age that at 12
Months.

My DD started nursery at 3 months and I skipped out the door fully confident it was the best thing for both us.

It was only three days a week and nursery was on-site at work though so I still felt close and could nip down to feed her.

That sounds like a lovely nursery! My son's backs onto an agricultural farm and he's obsessed with tractors because he sees them all day

I felt very weird that first time I left him - I'd expected to be relieved so took myself off to a nearby tea room, but I actually just worried and felt a bit teary and didn't enjoy my cake at all. But as he seemed very happy and took it all in his stride, it slowly got easier. I did feel very teary the first couple of weeks I was actually back at work (in an office 50 miles away) but again, I just needed to get used to it.

I did this in August with my 1 yr old. We were allowed taster sessions, she had x3 30 mins in the garden with her key worker then straight in for the full day 3 days a week.

She was actually fine and really ready for the interaction. She loves it. I did notice her sleep went a bit funny, and eating /nappies etc were a bit out of sun which is probably how she was dealing with the change. But no big meltdowns, and only occasionally tearful at drop off. She's in 4 days a week now and is thriving.

The more you do it the more normal it becomes :)

I was a bit wobbly the first time, second time I skipped down the road to the local cafe to meet a friend for a cuppa and cake!

My oldest was 14 months, I sobbed all the way to uni every day for the first few sessions. She never cried once. My younger daughter will be starting at 2 and I feel sick when I think about it, no idea why as its an amazing nursery, shes very confident and sociable and I know she will love it. Its so much harder for us than it is them

I feel super guilty more than anything, but my 6 month old has the best time when hes there, which makes me feel better