I Need Help/suggestions/experiences with Baby Having a Hard Time with Daycare???

"...getting used to being in childcare."
He is ten months old!

Do you remember what it is like to be in an intense, loving, dependant, new relationship? Could you bear to be without that person even for an hour after only 10 months?

You are his world, his everything!

You are blessed that he is "fine" with his aunts and grandmother...they are family and familiar.

Think of it from his point of view...the strange surroundings, the new people, the unfamiliar smells, no one he recognizes smiling at him from across the room...how terrifying!

There is a time in child development for seperation and it is not at 10 months.

Let his comfort level guide you. He is obviously not comfortable.

Put in him in a backpack carrier and walk the air conditioned mall before it opens, buy a "baby and me" yoga tape and play together, use him as your "weight set" and do squats while lifting him high in the air...don't dump him with strangers so you can tune out on the stair climber for an hour.

You obviously waited to become a mother and you are a stay at home one...enjoy every moment! It is not worth his anguish.

I know my opinion won't be popular but it needed to be said.

I agree with the above post to a degree. You have a right to be away from your baby to exercise and I think it is GREAT for babies and children to learn to be independent on their own. With that said....maybe the next time you go stay there for a while and play with him. Is it going to be a different person each time you are there or do the caretakers have weekly schedules that he could be with the same one each time? I would find that out and try to arrange your workout that way. It is a great opportunity for him to also socialize with other babies!!! Anyway, play for a bit with him and maybe slowly stop playing but, stay in the room and then see how he does. If he starts to go off on his own I would go over and say goodbye to him and then leave. Stay close by though. If you hear him cry I would go back in, I think he will eventually get use to all of it. It is hard on little ones and mommies alike.

Hi M. -

I think that you have every right to want to exercise and use the childcare at the gym. While I can understand the perspective of the first post, I have found that exercise and an hour "break" 3 days a week to exercise and get myself in shape has made me a better mother and given me more energy, which is something that at this point, I'm not willing to sacrifice for separation anxiety.

That said, here's what I would suggest. He's just reaching that age where they know that you're leaving (my daughter just hit 10 months!). So, he will cry when you leave. Spend some time with him making him comfortable there, playing, etc. Then do a quick 10-15 cardio workout. Let the childcare know that you will be back in 15 min so they don't page you. Slowly increase the time your are gone as he gets adjusted to the childcare center. If you come back after 15 min and he is fine, go continue your workout (just don't let him see you). Keep consistent. Children adapt to routine and it usually takes about 2 weeks to get them used to it. My 10 month old has been going 3 days a week since she was 6 months and she still cries when I leave but she adjusts after I leave and I do get in a good workout without being paged.

Good Luck =)

Hi, M.!

I am a second-time mom. I stayed home with my first (who is now 8) and I just had my second 4 months ago. I couldn't get to the gym fast enough with the second; however, I have yet to take him with me. I'm going to start doing this in about 2 weeks. He has been going to daycare since he was 12 weeks old (I went back to work this time), but we've decided that I am going to stay home with him now. My first started going to the daycare at my gym at 6 months. He did fine. I think it depends on the temperment of the child. To say that all 10 month old babies aren't ready is not a true statement. Each child is different. You will notice that you are a better mommy to him when you get that time to yourself. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for that. It's none of their business. You do what YOU feel is right for you. Try telling the girls at the daycare about his separation anxiety, and see if they will hold him for a bit. That IS their job, you know. That's what they did with my little one. Just gave him a little extra attention, and he did fine. They are probably just leaving him to his own devices.

Hi,

There is a program called Stroller Strides. I am not sure where you are located but they are everywhere. You and your baby workout together. There is no easy solution. This one seems a good blend. Look them up on the internet I am sure you will find one in your area.