I started my preparation months before I had to go back to work. I knew dd was going to have to go to daycare while hubby and I worked. I made sure to book appointments to see different daycares so we can pick what we feel is the best fit for dd.
About 3 weeks before I started work, we gradually introduced dd to the daycare. I didn't know then that I was also preparing myself for the separation. For the first week, she just spent 1 hour at the daycare every day. Those hours were the longest I've ever felt. It was heart-wrenching watching and hearing her cry everytime I dropped her off. The following week, she spent 3 hours per day. The following week, she spent half days in the daycare, then the last 2 days before I started working she stayed the whole day with them.
The gradual entry into the daycare really helped us all prepare for the separation. It helped that the caregiver would give me daily reports on what she did during the day and how she coped with the other children.
It also gave me the chance to be by myself and take care of me.
My parents have also been helpful, by taking care of dd once a week. It helped knowing that she is with family, while I am away.
Baby/Mommy Sleep Tips: Tips on helping both Baby and mom sleep through the night.The best tip I have for a good night's sleep for everyone is routine! Play, eat dinner, bath, play/cuddle, sleep. Everytime we've strayed from the routine, it's always harder to get her to fall asleep. DD always wakes up around the same time every morning, no matter how late she sleeps. So if she stays up late, she's really tired and cranky the next day.
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Do you have your own tips to give on these two topics? Pampers and Mom Central have teamed up for a project called "A Parent is Born". They would like the help of the community to develop a tips sheet for new and expecting parents. The best advice will be picked and published in the Pampers Online Tips Sheet for new parents. In addition to potentially having your tips included in the tip sheet, 25 randomly selected tips will receive a $20 gift card, while one grand prize winner will receive $500.
Head on over to Mom Central to enter your own tips. Complete rules and regulations found here as well.
-- This post was written for a Mom Central blog campaign
