advice on helping DD to settle in chreche!

[chloeb2002]

Ok new to chreche in this household as ive just returned to college to do an access course. 3 days a week 9.00 till 3.30pm. Dd is struggling to settle in early days tho only 2nd week. She is 11 months old, walking well. uses some baby signs and is generally a real top baby! but is very dependant on me as her dad is still in Oz. I figure a recnt trip back down under unsettled her alot and could really do with some morale support! She crys alot when i leave, get back and sporadically through out the day! wont take her milk, wont eat anything.... even milky bars.... wont sleep long but has managed a short nap.... any advice. She has a dummy occasionally but not a comforter as such. JUst cant seem to get her interested in anything to take that role except me! HELP

My dd has just started nurery full time (7.45 - 4.30pm)and shie is doing fine although it did take her a while to take all her milk - she was having very little - like 1/2 oz. She is still not sleeping very long compared to when she is at home. There was a little boy who started back at nursery today who has been coming for a long time and he was unsettled starting back. So if that little one had trouble settling and he has already been attending nursery - it will take a while for your dd to settle in.

Dd's nursery also asked a lot about what we do at home and they too tried to do things that we do at home in terms of what she eats and what we want done.

I am assuming the creche has a routine re feeds, naps etc - perhaps on the days she is with you - you can try and adapt some of their routines. Then that will be one less thing that is different from creche to home life. I started doing that with dd in the lead up to nursery - trying to adapt to some of their routine. I know that sometimes it is not possible but I just tried it and I think that helped dd as she has always had a loose routine in terms of her days from shortly after birth.

I think as time goes on your little one will realise that you will be coming back. It can be a big change to go away to australia and then leave her dad behind - She is probably feeling very insecure too. Lots of cuddles and reassurances when she is with you at home.

I know that is not really much help. My dd has not cried at all - she loves it - me - I cried my eyes out when I had to leave her. So while I am happy she has settled in - I wish she was a little sad at leaving me. I just hink for my dd the socialisation and the added stimulation will be brilliant for her development.

Hope that helps.

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have you been able to stay there for a while? as you've already started at college, maybe the odd hour extra on the days you aren't there so she can see you chatting to the staff and "at home" there. if they don't do this, then i'd suggest it, as its easier for the staff if your daughter is happy too. i think my daughter feels happier when i stop and talk for a while to the staff, and i always say "theres so and so" when we arrive so she knows i like them. other nurseries do this so don't feel bonkers for asking! good luck!!