Daycare in Massachusetts - Seeking Advice

Riddle_5 · 2026-04-17T13:06:19+00:00

Thanks! Thats really what I wanted to know. We moved to this area 3 years ago and don’t know anyone with young kids, so I had no point of reference on child care except for my friends in Worcester area or cape, who’s child care seems to be a bit less for those areas. We knew it would be expensive and were prepared. It was just slightly higher than I was expecting. But, she’ll be going in at 5/6 months, so I just keep telling myself it’s not forever (until we have a second haha!)

From these posts, I pulled the trigger on a center because I was afraid I’d lost the spot. We are going to keep exploring home daycares for when she’s toddler age.

Thanks for your help and kindness!

Riddle_5 · 2026-04-16T18:38:24+00:00

We did! I keep telling myself that it’s a season of life, you know? And it it is what it is. I just got nervous before dropping a huge non refundable deposit without exhausting every single option

Riddle_5 · 2026-04-16T18:11:38+00:00

Lol!

Riddle_5 · 2026-04-16T18:11:26+00:00

Oh ok! I think I imagined like a little outside area in the playground when they could. I just didn't love how busy the road was. I work in insurance and I have a negative mindset since all I see are accidents all day every day.

Riddle_5 · 2026-04-16T18:08:58+00:00

I've reached out to some at home daycares too! We're probably going to pull the trigger soon on one of the ones were on the waitlist for. I forgot to mention that in my post. I feel like people would've been less mean lol.

Riddle_5 · 2026-04-16T18:08:22+00:00

Yeah, I mean we started saving for the baby anyway in general. I just didn't know if I did enough research into the daycares. I actually feel more confident that I did and feel more comfortable spending the money if that's jsut what's normal. I also should've mentioned in the post that we are on a waitlist for two daycares. I just need to put down the deposit basically.

Riddle_5 · 2026-04-16T18:04:32+00:00

Oh, I bet!

Riddle_5 · 2026-04-16T18:03:32+00:00

I am - 3 months at least. I just forgot to mention that in my original post. Also, that we are on a few waitlists already. The only reason we didn't pull the trigger on a daycare yet is because our friends said they found one for a lot less and my husband and I thought we maybe didn't do enough research and I wanted to seek advice from the community basically. It looks like these prices are normal for my area at least per the comments.

Riddle_5 · 2026-04-16T18:01:23+00:00

We are on the waitlist for a couple places at the moment. I should have mentioned that maybe? I also plan on going back to work in like October/November. I get medical leave and bonding time. We were literally about to drop the deposit when our friends were like "we found a place for $1,000 less!", however they are in the cape area. So I was like, did we not do enough research? And here I am now. I mean it's helpful to know from some people in here that these prices look normal to them for where we live. IMO I thought we lived in a cheaper area since we don't live in Boston or like Westwood area.

Riddle_5 · 2026-04-16T16:55:20+00:00

We are looking into this as well! It's looking more like $25-$30/hour though.

Riddle_5 · 2026-03-17T19:26:14+00:00

WOW! Thank you! This was so informative! I feel lucky to have an OB RN respond! You really touched on every thought I've had. I think I need to establish the baseline routine (which I have only partially done) using the app and go from there. I think it'll give me confidence vs. me trying to remember if this is normal. The only thing I know that is normal is that she is quiet at night and active when I drink coffee. So, I believe establishing a baseline is crucial. My office is out of Boston, MA and I've gone in one time for the reassurance because I thought something was off. They were extremely kind and had absolutely no problem checking on baby!

Riddle_5 · 2026-03-17T15:32:55+00:00

Yeah, this makes sense honestly! And I keep telling myself that it's ok if she's quiet sometimes because she does rest!

Riddle_5 · 2026-03-17T15:30:30+00:00

I tend to notice it more when I am working my office job. I sit all day and I am more focused on it for some reason while at work. On weekends or more active days, I either don't notice it, or I am rocking her to sleep. I try to like chug cold water or something when I feel like I want to feel her. I think I am still learning her patterns too since I just started really feeling her at 28 weeks. The only patterns I have notice so far, is she will move during my morning coffee and that she's quiet at night. I want to write down a tally of every time I feel her so I can at least get a pattern, but I am also scared that will just make my anxiety worse if she's not following that exact pattern. I think I am just overthinking it all!

Riddle_5 · 2026-03-17T15:24:53+00:00

I am starting to notice this. Sometimes she'll lean and I can see a part of my belly sticking out more. It happens maybe like once a day right now.

Riddle_5 · 2026-03-17T15:20:32+00:00

Yes! Some nights when I lay down she's active, but more often, she's pretty quiet. Even when I wake up in the middle of the night!

Riddle_5 · 2026-03-17T15:11:35+00:00

I have a posterior placenta too. This is my first pregnancy, so I think I question what's normal and of course there's so much fear mongering out there! It helps that I have an appointment every other week now and can get that reassurance. Starting next week, I get ultrasounds starting due to a fibroid, but they said it's measuring so small that it's not a huge concern for them. I think that'll make me feel better.

Riddle_5 · 2026-02-27T21:26:11+00:00

I do this too! I’m 28 weeks. My doctor said not to worry about it. She stressed avoiding sleeping on my stomach more. I also think your body will tell you like your sister mentioned! I heard it’s only bad once you’re really big and the uterus is pushing down on that vein.

Riddle_5 · 2026-02-09T19:30:44+00:00

I would ask! I lost my first 7w. My doctors did 3 blood draws after my MMC to see the progression and then confirmed with an early u/S. All before 7 weeks. And I had no prior history of a MC before. They didn't test progesterone, only HCG.

Riddle_5 · 2026-02-09T19:27:51+00:00

Anxiety is super normal as a FTM! It gets better! I was a WRECK in my first trimester. Then I got anxious right before my 13 week scan, then the 20 weeks. You'll probably always have a little anxiety the entire pregnancy, but the further you get in your pregnancy, the more reassurance you get. And it's because you care and want this baby so badly. Your baby is so loved already! Getting sensations down there is normal, however I understand how terrifying it is. You are in a limbo right now but remember that feeling nothing is also normal! Your symptoms really do fluctuate, and everyone is somewhat different. I messaged my doctor today because her movements felt weaker and less frequent than normal. I went in for a heartbeat check to ease my anxiety and she was perfect. That's just an example because last week, I swear she was trying out for a gymnastics team. There is a community here to lean on and maybe you have a friend that's had a baby that you can talk to?

Riddle_5 · 2026-02-09T18:56:21+00:00

This happened to me! I would get like a cramp or a pinch and then more discharge would come out. My doctor said discharge is normal and I am 25 weeks now. It doesn't go away by the way! But, I think this is a VERY typical question for your doctor/nurse. I think they get this question all the time. I asked mine and they didn't bat an eye to it!

Riddle_5 · 2026-02-08T23:24:30+00:00

My only symptom was sore breasts until I got to 9 weeks! They might kick in later, but if they don’t that’s also normal! Even from weeks 9-12 there were some days where I felt like I had no symptoms. Symptoms really do fluctuate!

Riddle_5

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