Childcare for first child when second one arrives? Post Reply

[Balhammum2020]

We're expecting number 2 in mid August and with our parents overseas we're just wondering what other people have done with childcare arrangements for when another baby arrives? She will be at nursery three days a week but what do you do if you need to go into hospital in the middle of the night? We do have friends we could call on if we had to but I would prefer to have a proper plan set up and also don't want to confuse/upset my daughter if she wakes up and we're not there? So I guess it would be great if she could meet someone a couple of times beforehand so that they are at least not a stranger if it happens. Not sure what the solution is??

[Geegee007]

Could you ask a couple of members of the nursery staff (perhaps her favourites) to be on call for you?
Obviously if you offer to pay them, etc.

[acupoftea]

We were in the same situation as you. In the end, we persuaded and paid for my MIL to fly over (she lives overseas) to provide child care. She came a couple of weeks before my due date so that our toddler could get used to her and also in case the baby arrived early.

We originally had a friend of ours who lives very close by who agreed to provide emergency child care. When we thought I was in labour in the middle of the night, we did call but her phone was switched off! Turned out to be a false alarm but this is why we then felt more comfortable persuading my MIL to fly over as then at least she'd be in the house whatever the time I went into labour.

Other option for you perhaps is to take your child into hospital with you. They wouldn't be allowed into the delivery room but could wait elsewhere with your husband. That was ultimate fall back plan in case baby was late (and MIL gone) although I was quite prepared to deliver alone so long as I knew that my husband was looking after our toddler and they could visit immediately afterwards. The hospital also said that others in the same situation would take their child with them to hospital until grand parents or someone else could come to collect them and provide childcare.

Good luck and hope you find a solution!

[Balhammum2020]

Thanks - I guess if we can take her into hospital at least that's a fall back option - I would be happy to give birth without my husband there rather than be worrying about my daughter. Unfortunately both sets of parents live in NZ so it's a bit of a trek! I did think about nursery staff as we used them once before when the nursery was closed for a day and we had somehow missed the message and were stuck - but we had to do it on the sly as the nursery is really strict about you using their staff for childcare outside of nursery. Hopefully the new baby will be accommodating and come at a time that is convienient!

[Tilly&Roo]

We used Likeminders. I met up with 3 of their nannies with my toddler so he could meet them. I was then given the phone number of all 3 so I could check if they were available when I went into labour. I ended up using one of them for a few hours before grandparents arrived (live other side of London). Not perfect but it was a solution at least.

[joolia]

Hi, we got a temp au pair for 6 weeks, an Australian girl was wanted a few months in London so it suited her brilliantly. She lived in and helped abit with nursery drop off and collection and then when I went into labour she was there. I wasn't at all worried about my little girl as she lived the au pair by that point and she happily waved me off to hospital with no tears. we advertised via gumtree and had over 100 people apply! Also the summer holidays so lots if students around.

Good luck!

Julia