Managing Baby Sleep & Regression At Daycare

Back to Baby Sleep
Routine
We’ve all seen the TV commercials of a newborn baby enjoying a joyful first bath. While bathing a newborn may seem like a breeze for our TV friends, when faced with this task for the very first time you may encounter a number of logistical queries. Like, what should babys bath temperature be? How do you hold your baby and wash them at the same time? Or, when can you give a newborn a bath with soap?If these sorts of things have been running through your head, fear not. Our comprehensive guide to bathing your baby will shed some light on this important task, to help ensure you and your baby can establish a safe and enjoyable bath routine.
Love To Dream
5 min read |
29 August, 2024

Navigating the transition of your baby to daycare sleep is possible with time and collaboration. Is your baby going to sleep as well at daycare as they do at home? Probably not. But there are a range of tips and tricks you can use to ensure your baby’s journey to settling in at daycare is as smooth as possible. 

Expert tips on helping your baby sleep in daycare and childcare

Like with all things baby, there are no definitive rules when it comes to transitioning to daycare sleeping. Take some time to establish new routines, create consistency, stay in communication with your baby’s carers and try out some of these expert tips. 

Arrange some daycare visits in advance

Most daycare or childcare facilities are happy to provide you and your baby with a couple of sessions to become familiar with the space before you commence your official care period. This provides a great opportunity for your baby to become more comfortable with new faces, sights, sounds and smells.

Spending a few hours with your baby in their new space can help orientate them and prevent the first few days of their daycare journey from being too overwhelming. It gives you both a chance to see where they will have their daycare nap and what sort of light, sound and activity levels might be present. 

Provide familiar sleep aids

At least for the first few months, pack a bag with your baby’s own sleep kit. This can help your baby with napping at daycare. Consider packing your baby’s:

Write down or talk about your baby’s routines

Share a detailed outline with your baby’s new carers on your current routine, your baby’s tired signs and what settling techniques work best for your little one. This can take a large amount of guesswork away for the carer, and arm them with practical ideas on how to help your baby get their best sleep at daycare. If they know what your baby responds to, you are providing them shortcuts on how best to soothe your child. 

Introduce your childcares sleep sounds at home

If your daycare facility uses particular music, white noise or soundtracks on a daily basis, ask what they are and try to mirror them at home for consistency and familiarity.

FAQ’s about baby sleep and daycare

How do babies go to sleep in daycare?
Babies go to sleep at daycare in a similar way to they do at home, although there is likely to be additional noise, light, sound and disruption from other children for them to navigate. Despite these things, your baby should still become tired and ready for their nap just as they do at home, and with a bit of settling from a carer, they can often find a way to sleep at daycare. 
Do babies sleep more when they start daycare?
As naps at daycare may be shorter and less frequent than they are at home, you may find your little one falling asleep earlier or sleeping longer at home. Much like us, they are simply catching up on some missed Z’s.
Why does my baby sleep more at home than daycare?
At home, it’s much easier to control the circumstances surrounding nap time. You can make the room quiet, dark and set the elements exactly as your baby likes. At daycare, because multiple children are taking naps on different schedules, there is likely to be a fair bit of extra noise, disruption and activity. If your baby is a fairly light sleeper, their nap at daycare may not be as long.
Is it normal for babies not to sleep at daycare?
Some babies find it harder than others to sleep at daycare. If your baby won’t sleep at daycare, be patient and create consistency. It can take some time before your baby feels comfortable enough to take their naps. Baby will still become tired as normal, so with a bit of perseverance, extra settling or perhaps an extra feed, your baby may begin to feel more comfortable to sleep in their new environment.
How do you talk to daycare about naps?
Your childcare team should be highly supportive about working together to help your baby achieve the best sleep routines while in care. Often your child will have a lead carer or primary carer within the daycare setting, whose job it is to become an expert on your child’s needs. You should feel comfortable to make time with your child’s carers to discuss in detail your needs and concerns. Often carers can offer additional suggestions or ideas based on their experience, to help your baby rest at their best.
How long should naps be at daycare?
Napping at daycare should aim to mirror the times they would normally nap at home. Your baby should naturally become tired around the same time. Once they are settled into the daycare environment, you may find they nap for a similar time to what they would at home.
Show moreless

More from this topic

See all
Baby Sleep

Routine

Consistency is key! Explore daily routines that make bedtime smoother and sleep more restful.
20 resources
Daylight saving: How to adjust your baby’s sleep routine
What Is Dream Feeding & When To Do It

Most popular

See all
How to teach a baby to self-settle and self-soothe
Understanding Baby Sleep Cycles & Patterns
How To Dress A Newborn For Autumn Sleeping