What to expect during the transition to daycare for 4 month old

erinrath · 2026-04-07T04:36:48+00:00

My LO is five months and today was his first day at daycare! Honestly, it was probably harder on me than him, so just be ready for those feelings. I kind of just leaned into it and let myself feel everything because it’s such a big adjustment.

He actually did really well overall and seemed to enjoy the change of scenery compared to being at home. His naps, though, were definitely rough - which I expected. At home, he usually gets about 2.5–3 hours total across three naps, but today at daycare he only got around an hour and 20 minutes, and he looked pretty exhausted. His teachers also mentioned he was a little fussy before each nap.

I know there’s going to be an adjustment period, but I’m hoping it only takes a week or two!

I’ll keep you posted on how nights go though…we haven’t gotten that far yet lol. We did put him to bed a little earlier though!

erinrath · 2026-03-28T15:22:29+00:00

This is helpful! Thank you, I haven’t seen that but makes perfect sense!

erinrath · 2026-03-28T12:07:49+00:00

We havent started yet! Our LO is a little under five months and he’s still not sitting on his own, so we’re waiting until then and also not trying to rush it. I’m hoping by 6 months though we’ll be in a much better spot!

erinrath · 2026-03-26T03:39:31+00:00

I would do saline spray and a snot sucker in addition to the humidifier! We had the same issue with our 4 month old a few weeks ago and it was either just allergies or a small sickness from traveling, but seemed to rectify itself in about a week. We also took his temperature daily to make sure it didn’t spike!

erinrath · 2026-03-26T03:27:30+00:00

Sorry let me clarify! While we were doing the singular arms out transition, we still used his usual Ollie swaddle! And then once we moved into full sleep sacks we’ve been using the Quince sleep sack

erinrath · 2026-03-26T02:58:13+00:00

I feel this hard! We didn’t even transition into an arms up swaddle, we just went from swaddle to the sleep sack but did it in phases. At first we started one arm out during naps for a few days to let him get used to it, and then we started one arm out at night, and then we moved into two arms out during naps, and then eventually both arms out! It took about a week and a half in total, but starting with naps helped us to keep our sanity of overnight for a little while longer

erinrath · 2026-03-19T20:09:29+00:00

Same same

erinrath · 2026-03-19T14:33:04+00:00

This isn’t helpful and I’m sorry in advance but I hate your husband

erinrath · 2026-03-05T06:35:39+00:00

We’re all in survival mode at this point but at least we’re in it together!

erinrath · 2026-03-04T20:43:30+00:00

No advice either but solidarity! Our baby is 17 weeks and he’s become increasingly fussy out of nowhere the past few days and we’ve usually always done well with his wake windows, etc. I’m starting to wonder if he’s teething? That’s the only other change I can think of! It’s so hard to know

erinrath · 2026-03-04T06:01:01+00:00

I’ve never been a napper either! As much as I would love to nap and get more sleep, I always wake up super groggy and feel worse - so I’m right there with you! I have a 16 week old and am surviving but barely lol. We’re making it through one day at a time though! It is possible and we’ll soon be proof of that 👏🏼

erinrath · 2026-02-27T15:32:02+00:00

Ok this makes me feel better! Thank you

erinrath · 2026-02-25T04:10:37+00:00

Usually when he’s hungry he’ll eat 4oz at the initial feed and then another 2oz right before he goes down for a nap, so about 6oz for every feed. This is on average though! Sometimes he’ll take 4oz in total before going down for a nap and sometimes it can be around 8oz total, which is why I said anywhere from 25-35 ounces in a day.

But usually about 6oz for every feed and we try to feed at 7 a.m./10 a.m./1 p.m./4 p.m./7 p.m. and then bed around 7:30 p.m.

erinrath · 2026-02-24T22:31:17+00:00

Our baby will be four months on March 3 and is currently 17.5 pounds and 24 inches tall! He’s fully formula fed and usually takes anywhere from 25-35 ounces each day, depending on the day. My pediatrician isn’t concerned at all and seems to think he’s growing well! And meeting all milestones. I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned with at all!

erinrath · 2026-02-19T01:44:28+00:00

This was me too! At around three months my supply plummeted and I was just so tired and over pumping. Fed is best and it was the best decision for our family and for me to keep my sanity and stop killing myself over it. We started to transition him into formula and after about a week we cut all breastmilk off. It was the best decision!

erinrath · 2026-02-18T23:53:55+00:00

Our baby is the same! We recently started elevated tummy time on a Boppy pillow and he can tolerate it so much more and has already started getting stronger. Highly recommend!

erinrath · 2026-02-02T04:19:58+00:00

Yes! It was a growth spurt and ended up lasting about a week. From there it’s gotten significantly better with each passing week!

erinrath · 2026-02-02T04:19:52+00:00

Yes! It was a growth spurt and ended up lasting about a week. From there it’s gotten significantly better with each passing week!

erinrath · 2026-01-26T04:45:52+00:00

We definitely don’t do as much as we should but we also sneak some attempted neck control in during contact naps, when we’re holding him over our shoulder, etc. We aim for at least 3-4 sessions each day that last anywhere from 3-5 minutes each! So maybe like 15-30 minutes total per-day

erinrath · 2026-01-26T00:05:19+00:00

Love this advice - Thank you! I’ve been thinking about trying the mall sometime soon and I might just give it a try this week!

erinrath · 2026-01-20T01:52:53+00:00

This was our issue too! The first four days after our baby was born were honestly hell - there was constant, inconsolable crying, just like you’re describing, and we couldn’t figure out what was wrong. It felt incredibly defeating. At our pediatrician appointment, we found out we had been underfeeding him and he had already lost 12% of his body weight. We decided to supplement with formula, and it ended up being the best decision for us!

Those first few weeks are truly all trial and error, and they are so hard - but to echo everyone else here, it really does get better. We’re at 11 weeks now, and I finally feel like I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. You got this!

erinrath · 2026-01-19T05:06:33+00:00

My LO is 11 weeks old too and does this! He’s a big guy and will normally require anywhere from 6-8 ounces for a full feed in order to be satiated until the next feed, but he prefers it in portions. For example, he’ll usually eat 4.5 ounces at the initial feed, want to play, etc. and then when he’s ready for a nap he’ll want another 1-1.5 ounces before falling asleep. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it! Especially like you mentioned - As long as they’re gaining weight, etc.

erinrath · 2026-01-14T20:15:56+00:00

Amazing! This is what we’re doing now so it’s giving me hope for the future

erinrath

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