Starting Daycare? Here’s What to Expect With Your Bub’s Sleep

Starting daycare is a significant milestone for both you and your bub. As with any major transition, it’s completely normal to see some temporary disruptions—particularly when it comes to sleep.

The shift into a new environment often brings big emotions, overstimulation, changes in routine, and a degree of separation anxiety—all of which can impact both naps and nighttime sleep.

Here’s what to expect, and how you can support your bub (and yourself) during this period of adjustment.

😴 Sleep Disruptions Are Normal

Sleep regressions are common during periods of change, and the transition to daycare is no exception. A new setting, unfamiliar faces, and different routines can all affect how and when your bub sleeps.

You may notice:

• Shorter or missed naps

• Increased night waking

• Greater need for support to fall asleep

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These disruptions are temporary. With time, consistency, and reassurance, most bubs settle into their new routines. If not, the tip below will help!

⏰ Use Early Bedtimes to Prevent Overtiredness

If your bub naps less at daycare—or skips naps altogether—an earlier bedtime can be a helpful way to combat overtiredness and reduce overnight wake-ups.

Don’t hesitate to move bedtime earlier by 30–60 minutes or just default to 6pm on days when daytime sleep was minimal. This can prevent false starts and actually mean they wake later the next day from going to bed before they became too overtired.

📋 Communicate Your Bub’s Routine to Daycare

While daycares typically operate on their own schedules, many are open to following your bub’s individual sleep routine as closely as possible and would prefer to have this guidance.

Helpful details to share with your daycare provider:

• Usual nap times and lengths

• Awake windows

• Pre-nap wind-down routine

• Settling techniques that work best (e.g. rocking, patting)

  
  

Clear communication helps caregivers support your bub’s sleep in a way that feels familiar and comforting.

🐻 Provide Familiar Sleep Associations

Sending your bub to daycare with familiar sleep associations can help with their sleep as the cue that it is rest time.

• A white noise machine

• A dummy/pacifier (if they use one)

• A comforter or sleep toy (if they are 7 months plus)

  
  

These items help create a sense of security and signal to your bub that it’s time to rest—even in a new environment.

🤲 Expect to Offer More Hands-On Support

It’s very common for bubs to need more help settling to sleep—both at daycare and at home—during the adjustment period. After a stimulating day and potentially poor naps, your bub may be overtired and need extra comfort.

Don’t worry if bedtime routines become more hands-on for a while. Your bub may need this extra reassurance whilst they adjust.

🫶 Prioritise 1:1 Connection After Daycare

Spending quality one-on-one time to reconnet with your bub at the end of the day can help ease separation anxiety and provide the emotional connection they’re craving.

Simple, calming activities like:

• Gentle play

• Snuggles on the couch

• A quiet walk in the pram

• Bath time together

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Just 10–15 minutes of undivided attention can help your bub feel more calm and emotionally regulated before bedtime.

🌱 Final Thoughts

The transition to daycare can feel overwhelming at first. Sleep may be disrupted for a little while, but this doesn’t mean you’ve lost progress or that something is wrong. With patience, support, and small adjustments, your bub will find their rhythm again.

This season of change will pass and you’re doing a wonderful job helping your little one through it.

Post any daycare questions below!