Guilty sending baby to infant care

Question

HiMy toddler is 14 months old and went to infant care since she was 5 months.I am a working mum and need my job to contribute to the family.Recently I feel that my baby is closer to her teachers than me and she doesnt seem to be so engaged with me when I play with her at home and she seems to feel like she is being shuttled to different places  at different times. Sometimes I wonder if she knows I am her mother.Her body language is like telling me ok, time to meet the teachers , bye bye mumWhen I pick her up from school, she seems lost and took some time to recognise me from the infant care centre window , like telling me oh, that person is picking me up back home again.  This makes me a bit depressed. Me and hubby spent weekends with her at home or bring her to different places to play, but she spent more time in infant care so that made me jealous.Every mum wants to spend time with their babies but I still need to work.I know if I spent the whole day at home with her, she would be bored and I need my peace and rest too.Can someone tell me what to do?#AskingAsAMom #firstmom

Dawn · Answer

we can only do our best 💕

Anonymous · Answer

I am in a similar situation as you! Sent LO for IFC since 5 mo old and she is now turning 17 mo. I feel happy that she is rather attached to her teachers because it gives me peace of mind that she is treated with care at school... The skills that she learns from playing with friends/teachers using their varied toys & facilities also reassures me that she is learning things that I wouldnt have been able to provide at home. In terms of her attachment, I dont feel that she is more attached to the teachers than she is to daddy & mommy per se though... In any case, the mom guilt is still real 🥲 I miss her when I am at work and will try to work from home if I can to spend a few more hours with her if possible. Take her to fun places with her over the weekend and even bring her on vacations with daddy and mommy. Overall, I think its the best we can do and baby seems to be growing up quite happily and healthily...