The time has come..
Somehow, the time flew by and you are now stepping back into work mode. It always amazes me, just how quickly those first few months go by.
We often get calls 1-3 weeks before a return-to-work date saying, “SOS I need help because my baby is about to start daycare!”
With this adjustment coming your way, you may have a few key questions on your mind:
Should I change how my baby sleeps to match daycare?
Your baby feels the most safe + secure with consistency. Keep your home sleeping arrangements the same (same environment, same way to fall asleep). The only adjustment should be to timing, depending on how their day went (watch for those tell-tale tired cues). Daycare will have a different setting and journey to sleep – but you should still keep your home sleep the same as before (assuming that it’s working well).
Will my baby sleep with someone else?
Yes, even if it’s a bit rocky at first. Your daycare provider is trained on how to navigate infant/toddler sleep. Though their setting and routine before sleep could look different than yours, it can be just as effective. For example; they could have a room with several babies napping at the same time, and perhaps that room is much brighter than your sleep space at home. Alternatively, they could have your little one in their own room and pack-and-play, even though your baby is used to co-sleeping with you at home. Either way, their daytime sleep is about to look different than it has been for months. Trust that your provider knows how to help your baby. Trust that your baby will be tired and need to sleep.
My baby needs help to fall asleep (through feeding, contact, movement, etc.), how could they possibly fall asleep on their own?
Have you ever noticed that your little one responds differently to different people? For example, with a grandparent or your partner? This difference in reaction could be anything from how they eat, how they respond to getting into the car seat or even how they recover from big feelings (like getting upset). Trust that your baby’s needs are being met, including ensuring they are offered adequate sleep.
My baby co-sleeps, how can they sleep without co-sleeping?
They will catch on to the different sleeping arrangements with different people. This can be hard to imagine if you haven’t experienced it yet, but babies really are incredibly resilient and will learn the difference. Trust that your baby can do it and that this is a normal, healthy transition that is part of the journey back to work.
Do I need to get on daycare’s nap schedule?
No, your child’s sleep needs don’t change just because the daycare has a particular schedule. With that in mind, they will likely be more tired due to the new environment, stimulation and potentially from having less daytime sleep. This could mean an earlier bedtime than usual to help accommodate. Oftentimes, daycare will insist on offering one nap per day for babies 12 months +. If your baby is doing well on two naps, you can still offer two naps/day on the weekend (or on days where there isn’t any daycare happening). This could go on for months, until your little one is ready to transition down to one nap consistently. You can find more details on this transition here.
What if my baby refused nap(s) at daycare?
As you likely know, nap refusal can happen to the best of us. If your baby refuses their daycare nap, expect for them to fall asleep on the way home (offering a little cat-nap) and/or bring bedtime earlier to compensate for how tired they are. Stay connected with your daycare provider for reports on how sleep is going.
What if my baby falls asleep on the way to/from daycare?
Remind yourself: I cannot control all sleep, but I can control how I respond. If car naps happen, it’s okay! Commuting, the change in routine AND potentially less daytime sleep can be a recipe for a little snooze on the way to/from daycare. This micro-nap could be just what your little one needs to stay awake through the wake window. They do not necessarily need an entire new wake window because they had a car nap. As always, follow your baby’s tired cues to offer their next sleep when needed. For example, even if your baby falls asleep in the car at 5:00pm for 20 mins, they could still need an earlier bedtime to accommodate how tired they are.
As always, follow your child’s cues and unique needs by being flexible with timing. Continue to prioritize consistent and safe sleep for your little one. Daycare is a big adjustment for everyone and can take a couple weeks to settle into place. If you find that the time is going by and sleep isn’t improving, we can help.
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST
If this topic hits close to home, you’re not alone. Tune in to Episode 24 of our podcast, The One About Daycare, for more insights and conversation.
Bridget Jensen is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College and is the Canadian Director of the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants. Bridget’s calm and supportive demeanor are beneficial while working with families, individuals and workplaces all over Canada and beyond. She is dedicated to helping people get the rest they need, so they can feel at their best during the day. She is founder of Better Bedtime, a full-service sleep consultancy based in Waterloo Region. Services range from one-on-one programs for infants, children and adults to sleep sessions for the workplace.
