Going back to work while your baby is still tiny is one of the hardest steps a parent takes. In the UAE, maternity leave often ends when babies are only a few weeks or months old, so many Sharjah families start looking at infant care from around 45 days. This is a practical guide to what that first stage of nursery looks like: feeding, sleep, what to pack, how settling works, and the questions worth asking so you can walk out of the door with a little more confidence.
Is 45 days too young for nursery?
There is no single right answer. Some parents start infant care at 45 days because work requires it; others wait until six months or a year. What matters most at this age is not learning but warm, consistent, responsive care: being held, fed when hungry, settled when tired and spoken to kindly. A good infant room is built around exactly that.
If you are still deciding on timing, our article on the right age to start nursery in the UAE walks through the pros and cons at each stage.
Feeding: keeping your baby’s routine
Your baby’s feeding pattern should come with them to nursery, not the other way round. Before the first day, write down how and when your baby feeds and share it with the infant team.
Breast milk and formula
- Expressed breast milk: ask how the nursery labels, stores and warms it, and how much they recommend you send each day.
- Formula: check whether you should send pre-measured portions or a full tin, and confirm the brand stays the same as at home.
- Bottles: send the bottles and teats your baby already uses. A new teat shape on the same day as a new carer is a lot to ask.
Moving on to solids
When your baby starts weaning, talk to the nursery about which foods have been introduced at home and any allergies in the family. Balloon prepares fresh, balanced meals and snacks daily and can accommodate allergies, so keep the team updated as your baby’s diet grows.
Sleep: safe, familiar and on your baby’s schedule
Young babies sleep a great deal, and they do not all sleep at the same time. In a well-run infant room, babies nap when they need to rather than on a group timetable. Useful things to ask about:
- Where babies sleep and how often staff check on them
- Whether your baby can have a familiar sleeping bag or comforter (following safe sleep guidance)
- How naps are recorded and shared with you
Tell the team how your baby usually falls asleep: rocked, patted, with a dummy, or in a darker room. Small details like these make a big difference in the first weeks. At Balloon, the infant programme is built around secure sleep and feeding routines alongside gentle sensory play and music.
What to pack for infant care
Every nursery will give you its own list, but most parents find this a sensible starting point:
- Nappies and wipes for the day, plus nappy cream if you use one
- Two or three full changes of clothes, labelled with your baby’s name
- Bottles, milk or formula, and any feeding equipment
- Muslin cloths and bibs
- A sleeping bag or light blanket, if the nursery allows it
- A comforter or soft toy that smells of home
- Any prescribed medicine, with written instructions and the nursery’s medicine form
Label everything. Babies in the same room often have very similar bottles and vests.
Settling in: going gently
Most nurseries offer a settling-in period so your baby can get used to new faces before you leave them for a full day. Typically this starts with short visits where you stay in the room, then short separations, gradually building up to longer days.
Tips that help
- Start settling a week or two before you return to work, if you can
- Keep goodbyes short and warm, and always say goodbye rather than slipping out
- Bring the same comforter every day
- Expect a few unsettled days: it is normal and usually passes
Our settling-in guide has more detail on what to expect in the first weeks.
Staying connected while you are at work
For many parents the hardest part is not knowing how the day is going. Ask how the nursery shares updates on feeds, nappies and naps. Balloon sends parents daily photo updates and notes on meals, naps and milestones, so you can see your baby’s day even when you cannot be there.
Long hours help too. Balloon is open daily from 6:30am to 7:30pm, every day of the week, with early drop-off from 6:00am on request, which gives working parents room to manage commutes and later shifts.
Questions to ask on your tour
- How do you follow each baby’s individual feeding and sleep routine?
- Who will be my baby’s main carer, and will that person stay consistent?
- How are bottles, milk and food stored and prepared?
- What happens if my baby is unwell during the day?
- How and when will I receive updates?
- What security is in place at the entrance and in the rooms?
Balloon’s premises have CCTV and controlled entry, and you are welcome to ask the team to walk you through their daily routine in the infant room.
Frequently asked questions
From what age does Balloon Nursery accept babies?
Balloon’s infant care programme accepts babies from 45 days to 1 year, after which children move into the toddler programme.
Can I continue breastfeeding once my baby starts nursery?
Many parents do, by sending expressed milk. Ask the team how they store and prepare it, and discuss whether you can visit to feed if your work allows.
What documents do I need to enrol my baby?
Typically your child’s passport, visa copy, Emirates ID, birth certificate, vaccination record and passport photos. The admissions page lists the full process.
How long does settling in take?
It varies from baby to baby. Plan for a gradual start over one to two weeks and stay flexible.
Choosing infant care is a big decision, and seeing the room for yourself helps more than anything you can read. Book a tour of Balloon Nursery in Al Ghafia, or message our admissions team on WhatsApp at +971 50 342 8582.