Hi, so I am looking for some advice on our current in-home daycare situation. Currently, my son, 4 months, attends an in-home daycare full-time. He has been there 5 weeks since I returned to work from maternity leave. I have been very happy with our provider, but I have some doubts due to a change in the situation.
She has recently accepted another part-time infant who is 2 wks younger than my son. This new baby attends part time about 5 hrs in the morning, she has been attending off and on for the last 4 wks and started her new schedule this week. My problem is, she cries the entire time she is there. Yesterday, I had to go and get my son because he was refusing to eat (an entirely new behavior for him) and he was very fussy. As soon as I brought him home, he was fine. He ate fine and was smiling like he usually does. So, has anyone encountered this? What did you do? Does anyone do in-home daycare and seen this? Thanks for reading this very long post!
I would monitor it, but try not to worry about it. The other child will probably calm down once they get used to being in daycare and things will go back to normal. This is very normal for daycare, especially if the child only attends part time. Give it a couple of weeks, and let the other child adjust to being there and then assess the situation.
It sounds as if your provider cannot adequately tend to two babies, is she new at this? Often times there are more and if your provider takes in another baby, she will have an even harder time. Maybe you can find someone who will watch only your baby or your baby and an older child. Infants need one on one, I'd look for a new provider.
I am a home childcare provider....my suggestion would be to give it more time. In my experience, ALL children new to a daycare need time, especially the tiny's. Its an adjustmnet for everyone and can take some time.
Personally I would not have likely called a parent to get their child as yours did. Having 2 new infants in care is common in daycare and happens every year or 2 when the spaces become available. Its tough, but workable and we all get thru it just fine for the most part!. Hopefully your caregiver has experience with 2 small infants....if they are newer to daycare, I would certainly ask.
New babies need time to adjust to someone caring for them who feels different, sounds different and smells different.They whole group dynamic gets thrown for a loop with any addition, especially very young and needy infants..and 2 at once obviously creates an even crazier situation for all. Likely it is more chaotic for everyone there right now...adjusting to the demands of the infants and still accomodating any other children in care. Sometimes the first month or so is all about meeting needs and just getting thru it and getting to know everyone and getting in sync. In most cases, it does all get easier and smoother.
If you have the patience...and good communication with the provider, I suggest more time.
Best of luck to all of you!
This does happen with part time babies unfortunately, sinc e it is hard for the baby to adjust and the provider can't seem to get them on a regular routine because of the sporadic days. And some babies are just fussier.
Please kindly let your provider know your concerns without making her feel incompetant. Your son could be nervous from the crying so this is something you should bring up and see if the two of you can figure out how to help him through it. babies are resiliant and I bet he will adjust to it himself if given some extra snuggling and lovein' from the provider.
Wow - I could have wrote this weeks ago ;) I was worried about my daughter for awhile at the sitter. My daughter was not wanting to go and would not want me to leave when we were there. She was never like this last school year (I'm home during the summer). At first I thought it was the adjustment of the school routine, but found out that another (new) child was always crying and it took a toll on the other kids. It took a couple weeks to adjust, but now everything is fine. The other child isn't crying when I'm bringing my daughter, and I don't have a clinging child not wanting mommy to leave. In fact, I have to ask her to give me a kiss because she's busy playing!
Be patient... I know it's hard. In your situation the new child is part-time, so it may take a little longer. Express your concern to your sitter. I did with mine. She may even discuss what she has tried and plans to try. To my surprise, my sitter had shared those things with me when I told her my concerns. She cares for all the kids she has and wants the kids to enjoy their time there with her.
Good luck. I hope things settle down for you soon.
~SR
it's possible that it is making him nervous because he is not used to it- or that the provider is spending more time with the other baby due to the crying. Or it could just be a weird coincidence. I would monitor it for a while and see if it gets any worse and then consider having a nanny come to your home or switching providers. The problem with affordable childcare is that in-home providers have to have several infants in order to make a living.
I wouldn't worry about it just yet. But if the problem continues and your baby becomes a fussy eater, I would be concerned that the provider may not have enough time to deal with that and another colicky baby.
How many hours had it been since he had last eaten? I've never heard of a provider calling in a parent if the baby is refusing to eat. They usually stick through it. It may be too much for her to handle.
I would search for another daycare option. It is hard to handle a nonstop crying baby. I would be worried that he may not get the attention that he needs because of the other high-need baby. Remember to follow your mommy instincts...they are usually right!
I have been doing home daycare for 3 years. I would bring it up to the provider. Let her know that you really appreciate her hard work and how you know she's trying to give this other baby a chance. Not every child is fit for every provider. Maybe the new baby has other needs that can't be met in a group setting. If the baby cries as much as you say she does, it is stressing out EVERY child at daycare. It's hard being a provider. You want to help everyone. You need to create income so sometimes we make decisions not based on the betterment of the whole group. I think that your baby is stressed out. He's probably not getting the attention that he needs due to this higher needs baby. As a mother you really need to rely on instinct. If you don't feel comfortable with the situation your son is in, tell your provider you may leave if the situation does not resolve. You are his voice and he deserves to have a daycare with little to no stress.
