Sleep Expert tips for a smooth transition to daycare

Sleep expert Annette Faamausili shares how to make the transition to childcare as smooth as possible when it comes to naps.

Are you returning to work soon and wondering how your little one will manage the big step of transitioning to daycare? Starting childcare can be a significant change for the entire family but with a little bit of forward planning and realistic expectations, the adjustment can be smoother for everyone.

EASE IN GENTLY

Starting daycare is a big transition for your little one. They are in a new environment away from you, so they’ll need time to adjust and familiarise themselves with different caregivers. Where possible, plan a gradual transition over 3-4 weeks. Start with shorter half day visits during the first week, then slowly increase the time as your child becomes more comfortable. This will give your little one time to get used to the new environment before attempting to sleep there.

TAKE FAMILIAR ITEMS FROM HOME

To help your little one adjust to napping away from home, take in familiar items from home such as a sleep sack or comfort blanket that smells and feels comforting. Try sleeping with the comforter yourself a few weeks prior to trap all your smells onto it for added comfort and reassurance.

BE FLEXIBLE WITH NAPS

Let your daycare provider know what your child’s sleeping schedule and napping times are at home. That way, they can be aware of when your child normally sleeps and adhere to a similar schedule.

In saying that, you will need to accept some flexibility as the exact times may not fit with the centre’s schedule. There will be a compromise to ensure your little one gets their sleep while also fitting in with the centre’s planned activities.

Because there are a number of different children all needing their naps, it may be unlikely that your daycare will be able to use exactly the same settling techniques you use at home. Try not to panic about the way that the staff may settle your child, children and babies learn very quickly that things happen a bit differently when they are away from home – napping at daycare included.

POWER NAPS

A power nap can work wonders at the end of the day especially if your little one hasn’t napped well. If you pick them up before 4pm and they seem tired, let them take a quick power nap on the way home to help recharge their batteries before bedtime.

PLAN FOR REST DAYS

The first few weeks of daycare can be really exhausting for your little one. The new sights, sounds, and routines are stimulating but tiring, adding a new level of exhaustion to the family dynamic. Try and build some slow, rest days at home into your routine if your child is attending part time or keep your weekends as low key as possible.  This will allow your little one to catch up on rest and sleep in their own cot or bed and help reduce overtiredness, adding some much needed calm and connection to your week.

EARLY BEDTIME

While it’s tempting to keep your child up a little later on daycare days to spend more time together, this can backfire and do more harm than good. Late bedtimes often lead to overtiredness and night time wake ups. Prioritise an early bedtime to ensure they get the rest they need to handle the next day’s challenges.

EARLY RISING

With the excitement, extra stimulation and new sights and sounds of daycare, it’s easy for your little one to get overtired. Unfortunately, this can lead to early rising. Be prepared for their night routine to be a little topsy turvy for the first few weeks so make sure you are as consistent as possible and priortise their sleep the best you can.

TAKE CARE MAMA

While your busy worrying about baby and how they'll adjust, make sure you make some time for yourself and prioritise your own sleep.

Returning to work is a big transition, not just for your child, but for you too. Try to carve out moments for yourself to rest and recharge. Share responsibilities with your partner, plan ahead for meals and household tasks, and if you work part-time, use nap times as a chance to relax rather than catching up on chores. In the first few weeks, try and head to bed as early as you can to ensure you get the rest you need while you adjust to your new weekly schedule and work/life/mum balance. Daycare is a big transition, but with gentle planning and realistic expectations, your little one will soon adapt. Good luck!

Annette Faamausili is a baby and child sleep expert and has been advising and supporting parents since 2001. She trained and qualified in the NHS, UK, and moved to New Zealand with her Samoan husband and family in 2011. Annette has three children (Matilda 17, Oscar 15, and Lola 9) and lives on the beautiful Whangaparaoa Peninsula in Auckland. Find her at serenesleep.co.nz.