Will a crèche be bad for my baby?

[nellly]

New mum here and really struggling with mat leave. Baby is 10 weeks and a total angel baby but dh is self employed and often out of the house 14 hours a day. He's feeling the pressure of being sole provider while I'm on mat leave ans doesn't want to turn down a single client.

I only get down time on a weekend and I'm feeling a bit mentally fried and have started to struggle. The gym/health club I have membership at has a crèche managed by ofsted. Would it be totally awful to book in baby for 2 hours once a week? I would be onsite having a quiet swim and a shower without a baby!

I feel bad with baby being so small but really feel like I'm losing my mind. Have tried asking dh to work less but he's so worried about money after Covid etc

Sounds like a brilliant idea. It's exactly why they have these creches available. Give it a go!

Aww your baby will be fine and if not they will contact you. Years ago before I had my own dc this was my job we were all well trained. There is nothing "bad " about taking an hour or so out for yourself.

Thanks all, I'm so caught between desperately needing a bit of a mental break and feeling guilt that he won't be with me

Ah I'm sorry the guilt will never leave you it's best you know now you just need to manage it.

A healthy happy mum is the most important thing for your baby in the entire world right now. So you need to do what is best for your mental health and this sounds like exactly that! It's what crèches are for and lots of people use them. Don't feel guilty, feel excited you're doing something that will help you be happier and healthier for you and your baby.

Honestly baby will be fine and it will do you a world of good.
I realise he is still very little but returning to work can really help too - gives a bit of normality back

This is the best age to do it because as long as they're being cuddled and fed, they're happy. It's actually harder when they're bigger and more aware.

If you can, I'd be tempted to go every day, not just once a week!

Thanks all I was worried I would get flamed for even considering it! He's a very happy relaxed baby and I've left him with dh or my mum to go for a walk or coffee. I'm breastfeeding but do well at expressing so I feel better knowing I can leave milk and won't be interrupting his feeding

Do it OP! Happy mum = happy baby.

I put my baby into a nursery at 4 months old for one day a week for exactly the same reasons as you.

Most definitely. I would love this

Anyone who flames you for this is an arsehole. You have nothing to feel guilty about Op, you are allowed to have 2 hours a week to yourself and you will be more refreshed and relaxed because of it.

Abso-bloody-lutely you should do this! Wish I'd done it when I was on mat leave

If it hadn’t been lockdown when DS was that age, I would have 100% done this. Enjoy yourself x

I used to put my dd in the crèche at my gym... usually a couple of times a week. It was all good...she used to enjoy it

Thank you this is very reassuring! It seemed more frivolous than putting him in nursery for work

What is the ofsted rating?

Good in all categories except 'helping children be healthy' which received only satisfactory. I'm not too worried though as it's only 2 hours a week so not really expecting much from them other than to cuddle/feed/change !

It wouldn’t be managed by Ofsted but it will be inspected by Ofsted and you can look up their report.

If it’s Good then do it. Keeping healthy is such a broad remit but I wouldn’t expect a gym creche to be doing tooth brushing / healthy eating / physical movement with kids only staying on an ad hoc basis.

Defo! I also went out everyday, baby in pram made me feel like I was having a break and then time a coffee and cake stop while they are asleep!

Do it! I'm so jealous!

Might be better to do 2x one hour rather than 1x 2hr, just so LO gets to know the staff but go for it.

I did this with my little one. If the creche was closer I would have done it every week! Getting exercise definitely benefits you, a happy mum makes for a happy baby.