How to Soothe an Infant at Day Care
There is nothing worse for parents than leaving their hysterical, seemingly traumatized young child in day care. However, day-care drama is not uncommon and is usually due to separation anxiety, rather than any serious problems. Separation anxiety usually surfaces around the time of a child's first birthday, according to KidsHealth.org. Although some children continue to experience separation difficult as they get older, most grow out of it by the time they reach school age. Until then, developing various coping strategies can help ease the stress on both you and your child.
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Instructions
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Meet all of the baby's basic needs before day care starts. This is particularly important if your child is under the age of 7 months. Children at this age are much more adaptable if all their basic needs are satisfied. Arrange drop-offs around his meal and nap times, and make sure he has a clean diaper before you leave the house. This should mean the baby is content and comfortable when going to day care.
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Ease your baby into the routine of day care. Be sure to introduce her to a new babysitter or caregiver before leaving her alone with them. If she is attending a center, take her for a couple of visits before she goes there by herself. Easing her into a routine will be less of a shock to her system. She will also be in familiar surroundings with people she recognizes.
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Stay calm and be positive. Your mood and actions before taking your bay to day care are important and may influence his behavior. Young babies and toddlers are very perceptive and notice a person's mood change very quickly. If you are feeling upset and stressed about leaving the baby, he will sense this and become anxious himself.
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Give your child something from home to take with her, something she finds comforting such as a special toy or blanket. Not only will this item be familiar to her, she can use it to cuddle once you have left. Use this item as a distraction if she starts to get upset.
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Establish a goodbye routine. When you leave your infant in day care, you will need to make it as drama-free as possible. A long, drawn-out goodbye will upset you both. Instead, be firm and say a cheerful, confident goodbye. Explain to him exactly when you are going to collect him, such as after lunch or after work. Very young children have no concept of time, but telling him when you will return will be reassuring anyway. Once you have said goodbye, do not go back; returning will only make things worse.
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Keep your promises. If you tell your child you will pick her up after lunch, make sure you are there on time. Don't make false promises such as, "I'm only going outside." This will just make her wary of trusting you in the future.
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Tips & Warnings
Form a relationship with the day-care staff. A child will often use his parents as a means of establishing relationships with people. He is much more likely to trust the staff if he can see that you trust them, too.
Calling the day-care center to check in on your child is a good way to put your feelings of unrest aside.
Prolonged problems with day care, coupled with symptoms such as nausea, nightmares and loss of appetite, may all be indications there is a more serious issue, according to KidsHealth.org. Do not be afraid to discuss the issue with your child's doctor or pediatrician.
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