One of the first decisions that you will need to make as a working mother will be to find quality childcare for your infant. Many daycares have a long waiting list for infants so it is best to begin looking at your childcare options during pregnancy.
Family and Friends
The best option for infant care, if you need to return to work, is a close family member of trusted friend. Some new parents are lucky enough to have their own parents live close by who have the time and desire to care for their new baby while they are at work. Newborns have special needs, especially if you choose to breastfeed, and family members are the ideal choice for childcare. Family members may be more flexible with their time if you are returning to work on a gradual basis and need part time care at first.
If you work close by and would like to breastfeed your infant during your lunch break, family is the most comfortable choice although you should find many options that support breastfeeding. Family members often want to be as much a part of your infants life as they can and will love your infant and are often easier to trust than a stranger.
Family may not always be available or may not be the best choice to care for your infant in some situations. Older family members may be physically unable to meet the high demands of your infant. You may not be in a situation where you trust the abilities of family members to care for your infant the way you want. A large downside to having family members provide childcare for your infant is if you have disagreements about the way you want your infant care for it may be difficult to communicate your feelings.
In-Home Daycare
In-home daycares have smaller numbers of children than traditional daycare centers and many are able to provide more individual care for your infant. When looking for in-home daycare it is important to choose a daycare provider that is licensed through the state and chooses to follow all the regulations that they are required to. Many states have a registry where you can look up any record of rule violations that the provider has had.
Talk to other parents and find out which daycare providers in the area they have had good experiences with. If you do not find a daycare provider that you feel comfortable with through word of mouth referrals, you can get a list from your local resource and referral agency.
Look for a daycare provider that can work with your schedule and has a similar childcare philosophy as you do. It is important that the provider is someone you can talk openly with and is willing to listen you’re your feelings and ideas.
Daycare Centers
Daycare centers are regulated more than in-home childcare but they often have high numbers of children and are quite a bit more expensive than other options. Infants are often placed in an “Infant room” with other children the same age and may not receive as much individual attention as they would in other care settings.
Daycare centers are often better for older children, but they may be easier to find a childcare slot for your infant. Some centers have later hours than many in-home childcare providers offer but many close early and do not allow any late pick ups.
Nanny or Au Pair
The most expensive option for childcare is to hire a nanny or au pair to care for your infant. The benefit of this is your infant receives lots of individual attention and can be cared for in your own home. This cuts down your travel time and gives you the most control over the type of care that your infant receives. A nanny or au pair can be the most flexible with your work schedule if you work strange hours or need later care than daycare centers provide.
If you have the ability to provide a live-in arrangement you can often save quite a bit of money on the salary you pay by providing room and board.
