12 months old and full time nursery.

[Mc3209]

My little boy will be starting nursery full time in about 1 month as I will be going back to work FT. He is my velcro baby, breastfed, co-sleeping, we are practically joined at the hip (I did not plan this on purpose, but it worked out that way and I actually love it). He is a smiley, curious little creature, but is going through some separation anxiety at the moment.

Just thinking about going back to work FT and sending him to nursery full time sends me into cold sweat. I know it's the right thing to do career wise for me, and I know nursery will do him a world of good. My husband works full time and we have no family support around. I am so worried about how my baby is going to handle such a huge change, it breaks my heart just thinking I will need to leave him there for the whole day 5 days a week. Nursery itself is brilliant, and I know they will take good care of him. This is my first baby (can't you tell? 😆).

I am looking for some positive stories of how similar set up worked for you and your DCs. Or for someone to tell me that my son will be ok.

Thank you!

If it helps my DD is 8 months and has been full time since 7 months ( she was also ebf but we switched to mixed feeding a couple of weeks before). She adores nursery; smiles to go in, smiles coming out. Plus they do a ton of stuff with her so I can just relax and enjoy spending time with her at weekends without feeling like we need to be doing anything educational. Obviously every baby is different though and at 1 your DS may take a little longer to settle in - although our nursery says they settle much quicker if they go full time

Forgot to say I was really worried and guilty before I went back to work but now I am really glad to be full time as it feels best for all of us.

Ex nursery worker he will be fine! It will be huge change of course and he will voice his disagreement in the matter in the only way he knows how! But he will settle with adults he will have everyday and a key worker, met lots new friends and have more toys and activities than you could ever manage at home.

I would settle over as long as you can not just a week where he is doing full days more or less straight away. This will mean overlaps your ML but it’s much easier to settle at least for first few weeks for half days for you both. Obviously cost is major factor as may have pay full price so not always possible but if you can it speeds up the “oh look mums coming back after all” moment.

Thank you both very much, that's helping a lot.

I actually overlapped him started nursery over the last 2 weeks of my mat leave, so I could do something like what you suggest, @Akire! I'm glad to read it's not just me being over anxious ftm. Yes, I have to pay for the full days, but it will be worth it by the sounds of it.

My dd started when she was about 9 months doing short days initially but building up to full days by the time she was 11 months and I went back to work. She only does 2 days a week because she with grandparents the rest of the time but she gets on really well there now.
They started off rocking her to sleep in the pram but now she sleeps in the cot after a little cuddle (still breastfeeding and contact napping at home!)

I worried loads before she started and the first few sessions were tough but it really didn’t take long for her to settle and now she has a lovely time. It’s really helped her solids intake as well as she copies the other kids (and boobs aren’t around as a back up option)

Good luck, hopefully extra time helps you get used to them not being right next to you 24/7 and try get used to getting up and out door in the mornings before the real thing. Also don’t be very sad if they DONT cry at all.. really doesn't mean they don’t love you!!