Baby’s First Day at Daycare

A silver lining of COVID-19, many moms have had their infants at home for longer than expected. Recently, I’ve seen an increase of mom friends bringing their baby to daycare for the first time after being required to go back into the office. Baby’s first day at daycare was always rough for me. If you’re struggling emotionally too, hopefully, these tips might help prepare you.

Tips for baby’s first day of daycare

• If you can, start baby at daycare a few days before you go back to work so you can take the day at your own pace and not be stressed about getting to work. I would pick mine up after lunchtime, so I could still get in snuggles before maternity leave ended.
• Have as much as possible ready the night before because with so much on your mind, you’re bound to forget something if you’re rushing. Bottles, car seat, clothes, etc., it’s a lot!
• See if you can drop off baby’s stuff at daycare before their first day. Bring in the crib sheet, diapers, extra clothes, extra pacifier in a baggie, etc., so on the first day, you can focus only on that day’s items.
• Build-in time on the first day to learn the drop-off routine, fill out paperwork, etc.
• If you’re using breastmilk, we numbered or dated each plastic bottle lid using a dry erase marker so daycare would use them in order of oldest milk to newest (and so we wouldn’t get them confused in our fridge too).
• The morning of baby’s first day, just take it one step at a time. And take deep breaths as you need them.
• Don’t forget to note what time baby woke, last ate, and diaper change so you can document it at drop-off.
• Communicate with your daycare provider so they know how you’re feeling.
• It’s usually easier on the baby than it is on the mom. If there is an issue, they will call you!

Note: I can’t speak to any added tips for COVID-19 safety protocols, but your daycare provider should be able to give you those.

As I said above, I sincerely thought by the third baby, the first day at daycare would be easy… what was I thinking?

After my third, first day of daycare

In case it helps even one other mama, I literally came back to the car and wrote this to get the feelings out (yes, I’m sharing my raw text diary with you):

I just dropped off my 9 week old at daycare for the first time. I’m sitting in my car tearing up and can’t seem to drive away. I trust the daycare providers, but for the last 9 weeks, she’s been my everything and I have been hers. I feel incomplete right now, like a part of me has been left behind and is now in someone else’s hands.

Will they be able to get her to sleep? Will she miss me at all? Will she think I left her? Will they waste the breastmilk I’ve worked so hard to make? How long until she starts smiling for someone else?

Most of all, I just miss her already. As I walked back to my car with the empty stroller, I felt so alone. We’ve been together 24/7 for the last 9 weeks… plus 9 months! Why do I have to leave her? Why can’t I work and watch her too? She’s just so little!

Of course, these are all little things, but my heart is hurting right now. My head is spinning. I know it’s time to drive away but perhaps I need a few more deep breaths while I let more tears roll down my cheeks.

I know in time, it gets easier to drop her off. And, even if it doesn’t, I have no choice. But right now, my heart is aching and I want a hug.

When I told the daycare provider that I felt silly crying because, “It should be easier this time, she’s my third!” She very perfectly responded, “But why should it be easier just because she’s your third? It is your first her. You’ve never done this with her before.”

She was right! It is OK to be sad to leave her. It’s OK for me to feel this way. I’m a mom who loves my baby and wants the best for her and there’s nothing wrong with that.

So if you are about to drop your baby off for their first day at daycare, I hope you’ll find comfort knowing that whatever you’re feeling, sadness, elation or somewhere in between, it’s the right emotion for you. This is your baby and your mom/baby relationship. Don’t apologize for however you’re feeling or think you “should” be one way or another.

Through this post, I’m sending many hugs to you mama, whether it’s your first baby or third baby’s first day at daycare. You will get through it! Just take it one day at a time.

If you are willing to share your first day of daycare drop-off story below, please do! Was it easy for you? Do you have any tips or advice for other moms? Let’s help other mamas out!