Going back to work after having a baby can be very challenging emotionally, even if you love your job and know going back to work is the best choice for your family. Luckily, there are specific things you can do to make bringing your child to child care for the first time much easier on both of you. Here are four tips:

Choose the Right Provider

The more thought and research you put into your baby's child care provider, the more confident you will feel about your decision when it's time to drop them off for the first time. Make sure you choose a daycare or preschool that is fully licensed, gets good reviews from other parents, and gives you a welcoming, loving feeling when you visit.

Take time to tour the facility and even schedule a "practice day" where you drop your baby off at daycare before you actually go back to work. If something feels off about the child care provider, it's okay to choose someone else. Your baby's safety and happiness are too important to take chances.

Pack Baby's Stuff the Night Before

The first morning you go back to work will probably be hectic, so make things easier for yourself by packing your baby's diaper bag and supplies the night before. Your daycare will probably give you a list of things to bring, but don't forget extra sets of clothes in case your baby has a diaper or spit-up mishap. Some parents also like to include one of their own tee shirts, so their baby has something with their comforting scent on it to snuggle with all day.

Pad Your Drop-off and Pick-up Schedule

The first few days of daycare and going back to the office will probably require some trial and error when it comes to how long it takes to get the car loaded, get your baby and yourself ready, commute to the daycare and then to work, and do it all in reverse in the evening. To save yourself some serious stress err on the side of caution and add some cushion to your morning and evening timeline, getting up earlier than you think you need to and leaving work as soon as you are able to.

Plan for Extra Bonding Time in the Evening

The first evening after going back to work, you will probably want to spend extra quality time with your baby. Plan ahead for this by making plans to order delivery for dinner (or ask your partner to cook), and getting household chores done ahead of time.

Leaving your child for the first time is never easy, but by following these tips you can ensure that the first time will be as stress-free as possible. To learn more, visit a website like http://www.kidscountry.net. 

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