At what age did your little one start day care?

[MantaRay]

I agree that some days are harder than others. But really the thought of leaving him in day care was worse than the reality. I remember Jack's first week I was expecting to be crying buckets, but then I went to leave each time and he was so busy playing he barely noticed me leaving.

Some kids settle in better than others, and I have been lucky that my boys suit day care. You won't know how your DD will go until you try - she too might really enjoy the extra activities and kids to play with and be fine.

[krysalyss]

Our DS started daycare 1 day a week at about 5 months. Looking back I think it was a great time to start and he really enjoys his time there. I think if you have found a daycare/carers that you really trust then don't worry about being 4 months. It is more important to find the right carer I think.

[Gigi]

16 months old

one day a week (not a full day).

i visit halfway thru, to breastfeed my bub

i have zero family support and PND, this is a lifeline for me, to have a few hours apart from my baby.

i found it really hard to trust strangers with my baby. There never seems to be the ratio of workers to children, that the centre purports to have. i worry my baby will get forgotten cos most of the other kids are much bigger and louder. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

there is no transparency or reportage, i have to quiz the workers to find out ANYTHING about how my bub has been that day. At least with cloth nappies, i can see for myself how her tummy has been.

i found it really hard to put her into childcare - it's only been a month, and i agonise over it each time i take her.

Do all childcare centres have that soiled nappies smell? that's all i seem to notice when i go in and out that area. The nappies are all changed in a purposebuilt change room, i have no idea how all those disposable nappies (i presume many with poo still inside them going from the smell) are stored and disposed of. My bub is the only one there in cloth nappies (her poo goes down the loo).