2 Month Old Crying at Fitness Center Child Care Center

Updated on August 26, 2009
K.J. asks from Westmont, IL
5 answers

So today I took my 2 kids to our gym where they have a child care area that accepts babies from the age of 6 weeks and up. My older son did very well, enjoying the plethora of new toys, but my 11 week old cried the entire time he was there (about an hour and a half). As soon as I held him in my arms he quieted down.

The lady told me that she has been working there for 10 years and had never seen a baby cry so much. He's not like that at all during the daytime when he is at home. He is normally happily alert for 1-2 hour stretches during the day, and then sleeps like a pro the rest of the day. He is colicky at night time, but we have found that by using the principles in "The Happiest Baby on the Block" (Dr. Karp's 5 S's) he settles down quite easily.

I have reserved time slots for the rest of the week, but I am now hesitating to utilize it. I can't wait forever to start exercising. I'm obese and honestly, lonely from being a SAHM (I'd worked FT until baby #2 was born.) Should I cancel? Should I bring him but show them the soothing techniques that we use (I'd hate to think that someone who'd been doing it for 10 yrs didn't know them already - or might think me condescending)? We're paying close to $100 a month for all of us to be members, so I'd hate to not use it.

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

He's still pretty little, I wouldn't give up. My youngest cried a lot when I took him, but I had this lady, Barb, who held him and pushed him around in a stroller. I was totally DESPERATE for some time without kids and the ladies, god bless them, were very helpful.

I went during non-peak hours, though, so they had the ability to give my son the attention he needed. If I were you, I would not go at 9 or 9:30 for that reason.

I would talk to the ladies in the child care and ask them what works for them. Do they want you to show them what works at home? Is it ok to have your older son help out (sometimes they want to separate the babies from the older kids)? Should you maybe start with short stays and work your way up?

It will get better. Hang in there!

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H.D.

answers from Chicago on

I would try a few more times but maybe have her call you if she can't settle him down half way through the session. Maybe he's just to terrified and just not ready to have new faces in his world.

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T.S.

answers from Chicago on

I started a fitness business for moms after having my first child because I couldn't feel confident leaving my son in the daycare (and I was a Regional Manager for one of the "high end" clubs at the time). Working out shouldn't stress you out, it should be a stress release. We're in the process of getting classes at Yorktown Center, so check out our website at www.bigbellyfitness.net.
Good luck...don't give up!

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S.X.

answers from Chicago on

i'd make sure he's not hungry or tired (obvious) when you go.... and maybe y our 2.5 yr old can help sooth? your baby would recognize his voice. helped w/me.

at our gym i see sometimes a baby that needs to be held the entire time. he's scared you won't come back. after awhile he'll realize you always do
: )

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C.P.

answers from Chicago on

I'd definitely give it a few more tries, but for shorter periods of time (and then progressively longer). An hour and a half is a long time to start with, I think. How about starting with 35 minutes? Then 45, then an hour... you see where I'm going with this.
If your first child was used to you being at work full time, he probably adjusted much more easily to being left in someone else's care at the health club.
Give it a few more tries, and I bet things will improve, especially if you can get the same caregiver each time for a while...

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