Ivy, all options have their pros and cons. Look and measure what is most acceptable for you and try to work on that. For me beign a SAHM is totally not possible since I earn the bulk of our household income and expenses of #1 and #2 will be handled by myself.
Infant care, I would prefer this option most it is one of the most trusted option. However baby will fall sick frequent but that is part and parcel of growing up. However due to my irregular work time, dropping and picking up myself is not possible at all times. Btw TPY should have a number of infant care and should have a few better ones. Scout around first and book early. I booked for my 1st about 6mths before I give birth. The queue will be pretty long for better ones. You dun want to be caught in a situation that you cannot get a good one and simply just choose one that is ava.
Babysitter, its the same as maid. If you cannot be sure that the maid dun abuse your baby, how can you be sure that a total outside will take good care of your baby. There are cases of nanny abusing baby as well. My cousin is one that was fed withn lots of gripe water as it makes her drowsy. So they will sleep at nanny's place and not disturb them. Unless you get a good and trusted recommendation else who knows. Nanny could be stubborn and not follow what you want. Unless if you are not a particular mother. For me, I have ways of wanting to bring up my child. So very hard to tell her at times as they have the thinking that they are older and have seen more babies than you.
If you plan to get a maid, pls do so earlier. Train her and undertsand her character before leaving your baby to her. If dun trust her, change. Dun wait till last minute, not suitabl then die le. Preferably get her in before you deliver, if personality ok than train her to look after baby during your ML. If she has good character and attitute, 4 mths of self supervision and training would be good. Unless she turn bad after joining you lah.
For me, I have tried all options of yours except SAHM. I personally prefer infant care most. But due to my schedule, I have to stay at my mum's place during the weekdays which is not what I want. I have lots of sagas and problem for childcare arrangement for my 1st. So for new mummies, pls plan a concrete plan and dun say wait till then to see. Even for your plans, work out alternatives. If plan A dun work how? Unless you have grandparents that is willing to help you. I was caught in a very bad situation before. Have super bad experience. So now, my choice is send #1 to CC, #2 look after by a maid that I have been monitoring for about 6mths already. So far so good but dun expect too much. The type that many not take extremely good care of your child up to my expection but also will not torture my child (very impt). If maid dun work out, then send #2 to infant care and also get the maid for housework purpose and to pick and drop my kids if I really make it in time. Very demanding on pocket but have no choice. So hope my maid would be good loh. Pray hard.
Mummies, but no matter what your options are, remember dun expect the caregive to teach and guide your child. The real discipline comes from you. You cannot entrust your caregiver to do everything and you just lay back at rest. That is not the responsibilties of begin a parents. Like that then better dun give birth. So SAHM is the best and I respect themDun blame the caregiver for spoiling your child. Blame yoursekf for not taking them in hand. But that is just my own thoughts lah. haha.
Sorry for the long post huh. Never post all my drama childcare stories. Will share if I have the time. Else even longer and will make all the 1st time mummies worry more.
Haffa, try small snacks. I also have this problem at times. But when I can eat, I like pig like that
Tub, yah. that was why we plan to have #2 only till not. Actually dun dare to plan for #2 after all my sagas. But strongly feel that 1 is too lonely. So take up the risk again. But this time, plan a lot and expect a hole in my pocket. No choice. Hope they quickly grow up and things would be better.
