I Left My 5-Month-Old Baby in a Nursery for the First Time and Still Wonder If I’m Right

My girlfriend and I are both freelancers, the proud parents of a 5-month-old son. Before he was born, we were staunch advocates of daycare, believing it would be the best environment for our little one during the day…

Photo by Richard Sagredo on Unsplash

We’re currently in the midst of the adaptation period at the nursery, gradually increasing the duration of his stays. Today marked a milestone — three whole hours. As I walked away from the nursery, tears welled up in my eyes, despite knowing I’d be back in a few short hours.

The experience has left me grappling with a fundamental question: Is it truly the right decision to leave such a young baby in daycare? Let’s explore the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Socialization: Daycare provides infants with opportunities to interact with other children and adults, fostering social skills and emotional development.
• Structured Learning: Nurseries offer age-appropriate activities and routines that promote cognitive and motor skill development.
• Professional Development: For working parents, daycare enables them to pursue their…