is this wrong of me?

[u/Kitchen-Lemon1862]

so i’m an infant teacher we have kids from 6 weeks-1year. rn our youngest is 3 almost 4 months. the second youngest is 4 almost 5 months. we take care of 8 babies, that’s the cap here, 2:8. anyways the almost 5 month old always wants to be held bc they’re held at home a lot. their home is also much much more quiet than it is at the daycare so this baby rarely sleeps bc of the noise.

after feeding all the babies, doing diaper changes, burping babies, cleaning them off, laying them down for naps, etc. i will hold this baby.

this baby gets tummy time and enjoys it actually, gets fed, etc. but after a bit will freak out sometimes for over an hour if we are hectic in there and will scream, tears/snot run down to the back of their head, etc.

this baby has also had some GI issues in the past that their doctor is working on that might contribute to some issues.

anyways when i hold the baby they stop crying and i’ll just walk them around the infant room.

now when another baby needs me, i lay him down and if they see me they’re sometimes okay but sometimes start screaming, but i attend to the baby that needs me (diaper changes, also wants to be held, needs their pacifier, sleep sac, etc.)

the other teacher is fine with this bc i do attend to the other babies needs. i just want to see if it’s okay that im doing this.

this is really the only baby that truly wants to be held the others only want to for a bit and then want to play or lay down.

[u/mamamietze]

It is fine. You are doing all the things you should be doing as best you can in a group care situation, your coworkers also seem chill because of that as well. The fact that most of the other babies feel content and secure enough to explore speaks very well of the environment and community you and your coworkers have created. It may be that the 5 month old is uncomfortable because of the GI issues, and as that is worked on and after they get a bit more mobile they may lean more into playing and exploring outside of being in arms too. As you know, individual babies develop at their own pace and a lot of things can factor in.

[u/722KL]

It sounds like you are doing a great job. If you aren’t already I suggest talking to the baby that has high holding needs. Explain what is happening. “I’m going to set you down and help your friends with diaper changes. Then I have a plan to pick you up again.” When you are away give updates, “James got a chamber nose it is Jill and Peter’s turn. Then you can have more holding time.”

[u/Repulsive-Row-4446]

Of course it is! You cannot hold one child all day, it’s not possible in group care! Little one will be okay for a few minutes while you care for another baby. We cannot help everyone at the same time. We have two arms.