i didn't do it cold turkey

we use childcare, and worked from half days, adding an hour extra, to work up the hours - in her comfort zone.

my child doesn't sleep for four hours in the afternoon though, so it would be hard to add more hours if that meant interrupting her sleep (to put her in the car).

you're her mum, trust your instincts.

just allow for the first few weeks, getting used to a routine, the FDC and you all getting used to each other.

you can only try. if it doesn't work out, would you try another FDC provider?

as for the payment, whether i use the entire day or only part of it, i still get billed as if she were there for "a long day". so same price for 4 or 7 hours or 11. they open at 7am and shut at 6pm, we get billed as if bilby were there all that time, even though she goes there at 10am and i pick her up at 4pm. FDC might be different.

bilby is about to start in the PreKindy Room. i will monitor how she takes to that change. I stay and breastfeed her until she's ready to stay (in five months of being in the baby room, she has not stopped needing that). if she's not coping, i will come and get her earlier. You know your child, listen to your gut instincts.