Daycare suddenly won't store infant car seats

[chicagoprego]

This morning my husband dropped off our 3 month old DD for her first day of daycare. I will be picking her up each evening. They notified him TODAY that they decided to no longer store the infant car seats for each child. So that means either 1) the same person picks them up who dropped them off, or 2) we're going to have to buy another car seat. I understand many parents have two carseats, but when we toured the daycare facility a month ago we saw all the infant carriers lined up for the children that day. They didn't call us between then and now to let us know about the change.

The daycare provider said that we could store the seat for today (gee, thanks) so I have some time to think about this. Both of our cars already have the infant base, so I was hoping that purchasing another infant seat would not be necessary :(

Is this a reasonable request that daycare providers make? I guess I'm stressed because it's DD's first time today and our morning was spent labeling all her personal items...

[SnuggleBuggles]

What a pain. :( If you buy a 2nd seat, just get a convertible seat vs another infant seat.

Beth

[Jen841]

We almost had to do this.

Do you have a second seat you can borrow?

For #2 we did the carrier for one car and a convertible for the other car (which he is still using, just flipped around.) LOVE the Cosco Sencea (sp). Use that at the end of the day you won't have a sleeping baby.

Idea, could the seats be stored under the cribs vs. lined up in a hall? Good chance someone pointed them out as a fire hazzard.

[sste]

We haven't done daycare so I am not sure about reasonableness - -it probably depends on space, whether the infant seats are blocking an exit route (I think there are strict fire rules about not cluttering exit ways, hallways, etc.). I would tell the daycare that you are disappointed as you had already bought a second base and politely ask if there is any chance they will revise the policy.

If I had to buy a second seat I would want to buy a convertible (the next seat up for older babies/toddlers). Maybe you can ask over at the carseat forum and see if a baby that is 3 months can be put in a rear facing convertible seat like a Britax Marathon. I don't know how well it works out in practice when they are that little but I think some folks on this site have tried it.

Also, I am in your area and the daycare situation in this city for infants is not good in terms of supply. We ended up with a nanny, which is not something we originally thought we would do, because the lack of daycares convenient to us and their many rules made it an extreme hassle for two working parents . . .

[HIU8]

That seems a little weird. I would think that would inconvienience more parents.

[doberbrat]

as if your first day back at work isnt stressful enough :(

my dc wouldnt store seats but I knew that going in. a policy change like that on day 1 though would have sent me over the edge.

*hug* it does get easier.....

[chicagoprego]

From what I heard, the daycare place didn't really tell DH a clear reason. They mentioned DCFS and something about cribs (We previously saw the seats lined up next to the infant cribs. It didn't look like the cribs were high enough for an infant seat to be stashed underneath.)

[lorinick]

Boy that really stinks, but I would go with a conv. seat and not spend the money on another infant seat/bucket. Since the baby can't stay with the seat anyway the conv. is already lost.

[Nyfeara]

Our daycare would store the seats under the cribs in the room, not in the hallway. I only ever used the infant seat, DH always had a convertible in his car. He picks up or drops off about 3 times per week. He had a RA in his car & DS was fine at 8/9 wks in that. We retired the infant seat when DS was 5-6 months old b/c I just got tired of lugging it around.

[bubbaray]

I would get a convertible seat (Marathon, TrueFit, Radian are all great) and call it a day for the 2nd vehicle.

You need to pick your battles with daycare and this isn't one I'd fight.

[LBW]

I would get a convertible seat (Marathon, TrueFit, Radian are all great) and call it a day for the 2nd vehicle.

You need to pick your battles with daycare and this isn't one I'd fight.

I agree. Don't stress over this. It's not worth it.

[elliput]

The first daycare DD was at had a couple of closets specifically for infant seat storage. At the second day care, DD was already out of the infant seat, but they had several parents who would leave their DC's convertible seats if they had different DO/PU parents. These were kept in one of the offices.

I hope you can negotiate a good solution with the daycare.

[chicagoprego]

I would get a convertible seat (Marathon, TrueFit, Radian are all great) and call it a day for the 2nd vehicle.

You need to pick your battles with daycare and this isn't one I'd fight.

I think you're right. I think I'm frustrated because I felt like I was dealing with TWO infants this morning, not just one. DH called me at work in a panic because he didn't have the security code to enter the daycare building. They didn't give ME a code yet, how am I supposed to help? Someone was supposed to meet him and escort him inside on the first day... Uh, try flagging someone down? A teacher, a fellow parent? GRRRR!

I'm told this will get easier, but I'm so distracted today at work because of all this :)

[bubbaray]

Deep breaths, Mamma!

Daycare is a whole new world of frustration. It has a lot of benefits (socialization, learning, etc) for children, but you will definitely learn to pick your battles. Trust me on this one.

Really, the car seat thing is no big deal. Actually, I wouldn't want to leave a seat at daycare and need to pick it up every day -- what if someone took the wrong seat, KWIM? I have seats for my girls that I leave permanently at our daycare, but we certainly don't need them for transportation. They are really our spares.

My DD#1 was in a convertible seat at 4m and DD#2 was in at 2m. They both HATED the infant seat. Our car life was sooo much easier once we switched them to convertibles. We used the MA with both of them and it worked great, I highly recommend it.

Good luck -- you'll get through this day. Happy return to work, by the way! :)

[mommylamb]

I totally agree with bubbaray on this one. Both on the convertible seat and on picking your battles with daycare. It sounds like you're only just starting with daycare, which is hard enough without having one more thing to worry about. Sorry about that. And, I can imagine your frustration with your DH. Mine also never seems to ask the questions I would ask if I had been in his place. I'm sure you would have explored why they made this decision more so than he did while dropping off. Obviously, if it's a good reason, than you react differently with the daycare manager than if it seems unnecessary and just burdensome to parents.

[JTsMom]

:hug: Sorry it's been such a stressful day. I would definitely go with a convertible too. You would have eventually needed 2 of those anyway. We started using our Marathon at about 3 mos. and DS seemed much more comfy in it.

[clc053103]

I actually think that's ridiculous. With all the things you have to carry, it would probably be easier to transport DD in the carrier (some parents even would bring a snap and go, particularly if picking up siblings too).

However, I do agree with PP that you have to pick and choose your battles when dealing with DCP's. Convertible for one car is a great suggestion!

[amldaley]

None of the daycare facilities I toured, nor the one I selected, allow for storing car seats. I can see that as a huge liability for them. They can't monitor who takes what, or what happens if one is damaged somehow. And there is a safety issue (trip hazard) and the sheer issue of real estate...those seats take up space!

I agree they should have notified you of a sudden change or a pending change, either way. One whole day to figure out car seats, not exactly practical.

And I totally know how stressful that "labeling" thing is! Seriously, labeling every diaper, pacifier, bottle, bottle cap, outfit, blanket, wipes box etc etc etc is exhausting! And then there is the part where you have to figure out how to lug it all in to the center. And then try to put your LO down while you unload.

I agree with other posters, if you get a 2nd seat, get a convertible, since you will need it eventually anyway. I know it is frustrating and an expense you hadn't planned on.

DH and I trade cars depending on who is doing what. It occassionally means DH has to drive up to my work (20+ minutes each way) and trade cars out in the middle of the day. But we make it work.

I am sorry you got such a shock this morning, but it WILL get easier once all the wrinkles iron out!

[amysuze104]

we have always left the infant seat at daycare--with #1 it went under the crib, with #2 they have a crib designated and everyone just piles them in there. I agree that they should have told you about the change!

Also, i have never had to label anything except the bottles each day--I bring in the diapers and they label them for me. Not sure if that is standard, either.

because of moving 2 times in the past 3 years, my oldest has been in 3 different daycares (and he is not quite 3). All of them have things I loved, and things I was not as happy about. if the things you love outweigh the things you are unhappy about, then I'd say it is a win-win. Hang in there, it DOES get better! The first day is really hard.