Childcare for DD while on maternity leave

[Xmasbaby11]

I am 3 months pg and DD will be 2 when the baby is born. At the moment she is in nursery full time, and I am unsure what to do when I'm on maternity leave.

Obviously I am really looking forward to time off to spend with DD, but I want her to continue going for the continuity and development (and she loves it!), and also so I have time with the new baby, but I don't know what kind of balance is 'right' - what do others do? 2/3 days a week at nursery?

[Cindy34]

Does nursery offer sessional care, so just morning, just afternoon? That way you could say do a couple of afternoons, meaning you do not all have to get up early in the morning.

[PleaseDoNotAdjustYourSet]

Dc1 is currently in nursery FT, when I go on mat leave this will drop to 3 mornings a week - mainly for continuity and because its the cheapest option whilst keeping dc1 in nursery.

[Xmasbaby11]

We have the option of half days, so DD can do any combination and number of those. DH can do any of the pick ups and drop offs so mornings are not a problem.

[BikeRunSki]

DS had always done 3 days a week and continued to do so when DD was born. It gave me a bit of peace with the baby and kept him happy and occupied with his friends. It also worked out ti be free, as he just git his 15 hrs early years funding and work continued to pay my CCV once my pay reduced.

[Gooseysgirl]

Our DC2 is due in Dec and we are going to keep DD who will be 21months then, in nursery full time until January. I will probably be having an ELCS and also really want to get BF right after a disastrous attempt last time! The plan is to send her three days per week Jan/Feb then probably cut to one/two days after that if finances allow... I've been saving up childcare vouchers in the hopes of doing this until DC2 is six months but will have to see how it goes...

[Xmasbaby11]

I am very likely to have an ELCS too, Gooseygirl, and had endless problems with bf last time, so I am expecting the early days to be tough. That's a good idea to cut the days gradually. I think I will talk to the nursery about their policies and how much notice they need.

I am quite scared about coping with two on a day to day basis as their needs will be so different. DD at 18mo is so active and runs around all day. She is very chatty and wants to interact a lot which means I can't get much done with her around. I can't even imagine being able to keep her in the same room as me while I feed the baby! And she only naps for 1 hour a day so there really isn't much let up! I suppose in another 6 months she will be different again.

[TiredFeet]

I am pondering this too, DC2 due late November, DS will have just turned 3. DS currently does 2.5 days a week, plus one day with his dad. I think I will keep him in 2.5 days a week for the first 6 weeks or so (will take us up to Christmas) and then I am trying to decide what to drop him down to. I am thinking probably 3 mornings a week, but I am worried he will miss all his time with his friends. I think I might try and take him to extra groups instead though. I'm really looking forward to spending more time with him but also worried how I will cope with two, at the minute (I think its the heat) just one seems like hard work!!

[Gooseysgirl]

Exactly Xmas... What swung it for me was when one of my friends said she only held her newborn to change or feed for the first few months because her older DD was v demanding and did not take well to new baby at all... I want to get DD gradually used to not being the only munchkin in the Goosey household anymore. We are lucky our nursery are flexible with number of days so long as we give them plenty of notice. I know other mums just have to get on with it and cope but as we can afford to continue nursery initially we feel it's the best route for us until DD gets used to the new family dynamics!

[BungleGeorgeAndZippy]

Dc2 is due soon, and on mat leave. Dc1 has dropped from 5 full days a week, to 3 full days (one month only), then 3 mornings a week afterwards until I return to w ork, then will be 4 full days a week.

[babybouncer]

I had a difficult end to my 2nd pregnancy and had to finish work early and the hospital would only let me go home if I wasn't doing childcare, then I ended up being back in for 2 weeks before the birth, so DC1 ended up staying full-time at nursery until DC2 was about 6 weeks (I also had a ELCS) when he dropped down to 3 days. It was great to have the breathing space, but I actually found them easier to look after together early on as DC2 liked being in her bouncy chair or playmat watching DC1. You can also plan things for DC1 to be entertained by during feeding - if you start now! - and newborns sleep a lot, so I used to put her in my sling while we were at playgroups etc so I could get time with DC1.

PS easy =n-1 (where n= the number of children you currently have!)