Starting daycare again

[Anonymous]

So Ian is going back to daycare 3 days a week starting after labor day. Last time was so awful with his reflux but I feel confident now that things are (seemingly-knock wood) under control, that it’ll be ok. I have a couple of questions and thought I’d put out there. Any advice is appreciated as always!

1-How should I handle his meals/snacks? Any ideas on finger foods for meals or good travel options? He still eats at least one meal a day of all purees-it’s ok at this age to have them continue that right? I’m racking my brain on options for them since his diet is still restricted. I think most kids feed themselves complete meals now right? Hard to tell when you have a baby whose in feeding therapy. Also, I’m guessing I give them breakfast and lunch (not dinner)?

2-How do you handle scheduling? Ian still takes 2 naps 2x a day for about 1-2 hours. Should I start switching him to their schedule? Problem is it’s a home daycare. There are 9 kids all 1-2 years old which is good but only one is on 2 naps and with a small apt as their base, it’ll be difficult for him to sleep except during their big naptime at 1pm.

3-Any other heads ups? Things to think about before he starts? I’m going to call the owner tonight but want to think of questions before hand. Gosh! I never thought I’d say just giving them bottles was easier-all he did was sleep then.

Overall this will be good for him. He is such a social baby and really likes other kids. I’m the one who’ll be reduced to tears!

[Anonymous]

Tracy,

My girls were still eating plenty of purees at that age and I think
many babies are. Myles is still on purees only besides a few easy
dissolving foods. Ian may start eating more table food when he sees the
other kids eating, but I would just send purees and some of his
favorite finger foods for now.

As for the nap thing, when I worked in daycare the babies who were on
two naps gradually transitioned to one nap because like you said, it
would be hard for them to sleep at any other time. Usually we’d put the
little ones down in the morning and they’d sleep only a short time
because of all the noise, but that little “cat nap” would help them to
make it until the other kids napped in the early afternoon. Gradaully
they’d begin to skip the little am cat nap and adapt to the one nap
schedule. If he can’t handle it yet you might suggest some white noise
if your daycare provider hasn’t already discovered that little trick.
It can help drown out some of the noise so he may be able to sleep with
all the other babies up.

I’m glad to hear he’s a social baby and will enjoy being around the
other babies. I hope he has lots of fun and adapts quickly. I’m so
happy he’s doing well.

[Anonymous]

It is always hard having your kiddos in daycare. No real advice but just want to wish you good luck!!

Robin

[Anonymous]

Good luck Tracy.

[Anonymous]

Is this a new daycare you’ve found? I hope Ian likes it! I wouldn’t worry

about the purees – like Christine said, he may start getting more

interested in table food when he sees the other kids eating. Marisa is still

mainly on purees – we are moving slowly toward table/finger foods but

she’s very picky in what she’ll eat and how much so we do a combination

– slowly growing more into table foods. I’d send his purees and FF you

know he’ll eat and let the caregiver know what table foods he is allowed if

he wants to try.

As for naps, that may be tough. He’s quite young for one nap only

(although it does work for some) and if he’s still taking two naps of 1-2

hours each and sleeping well at night he may need the sleep or he’ll get

overtired. Can you send a white-noise machine with him to drown out

background noise? Will he doze off in the stroller if they all go out just to

catch a few minutes?

Good luck – I hope he likes it!

[Author]

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