Childcare Advice

Hi! I’m a FTM and looking for advice on childcare options. I know it’s been asked a lot here, but hoping for advice on my specific situation.

My husband and I both work full time from home. He has a somewhat more flexible schedule than me, mine is more structured and a bit more intense. Right now before kids I usually work till 7pm (but am practicing cutting back to 5:30/6pm to set better boundaries in prep for baby). I will have 4-4.5 months of mat leave and my husband doesn’t have any. He will take some PTO when the baby first arrives to support us.

We looked at both daycare and nanny options. Daycare would be affordable for us and we’d still be able to save some money and not constrain our budget too much. But, there is the issue of illnesses. We could pay for a nanny but we’d basically be saving close to nothing and likely have to cut back on our current household budget. As someone who grew up with some financial insecurity this really makes me anxious. I also partially support/help out my parents and I’ve always felt proud and happy to be able to step in to support them with extra things at a moments notice. I wouldn’t be able to do that anymore.

I’m so torn. Maybe we should do a nanny for just a few months till the baby is a bit older? Like 10/11 months old and then daycare? Most Nannie’s want something long term though.

Advice welcome 🙏🏼