24/07/2023
Great post, lots of info
Toddler starting nursery? Feeling apprehensive?
I've got your back.
Let's think through some of the main questions that come up about nursery and breastfeeding.
First is usually 'But they don't take a bottle? How do I get them to take one?
And I usually answer, you don't! At this point if you want them to have milk while you're apart they can have it in a cup. Open or free flow ideally.
'Which milk should I send?'
Under the age of one year it should be expressed breastmilk or infant formula (first milk is fine, no need for any follow on milks or growing up milks)
After one year they can have expressed breastmilk, whole cow's milk or dairy alternative.
'What if they won't drink any?'
Really common, don't panic. The first thing to remember is that it can take up to ten times of trying something new before they'll accept it, so you could keep trying.
But even if they won't drink it, they can have food and water while you're apart and breastfeeds while you're together.
'What about if they aren't eating much solid food and having loads of breastfeeds at home?'
Toddlers at nursery often eat and drink things they would NEVER consider at home.
'Quinoa and mussels with a redcurrant reduction? Why yes kindly nursery worker!'
'Carrot? You've got to be kidding mum'
Watching other kids eating has a powerful impact, and nursery workers do this day in, day out. It'll be ok.
'But they b**b to sleep for naps!'
Babies often sleep almost insultingly well at nursery. For you they've had to be fed/rocked to sleep their whole life, but for someone at nursery they're quite happy to have a pat on the back and off they go!
But even if they are quite particular, nursery often have pushchairs and slings they can use.
You don't need to stop feeding to sleep before they start, you can continue to feed to sleep and nursery will find alternate ways. They really will.
'Do I need to express while we're apart?'
If you're going to be sending in expressed milk, days you're apart are a great time to get some milk for this. If you're not, you may need to express a little for comfort and to avoid mastitis.
'People say they catch lots of colds and bugs when they start nursery'
Yes, that certainly can be true. It's not uncommon for little ones to pick up germs when they're in a new environment with lots of other kids. (And it's not necessarily a bad thing either, the more germs the immune system sees the better it gets dealing with them.)
Breastfeeding will help during these poorly spots, not least by giving you a fantastic tool for comfort and sleep. But also may lessen the severity or duration of the illness too. So cool.
So if your toddler is starting nursery soon, try not to worry. It's a period of adjustment for sure, but you'll all settle in to it. As with all things breastfeeding and parenting, if you can relax into it it usually goes more smoothly.
You'll be OK. Breastfeeding is the most wonderful connection after time apart x
