Childcare for newborns, on a timeline.

Start arranging newborn childcare during pregnancy, not after the birth. Infant rooms have the fewest slots, and waitlists in busy areas run six to twelve months or longer. Most centers accept babies at about six weeks, full-day infant care runs roughly $40 to $120 a day per US Department of Labor ranges, and federal FMLA leave is unpaid and capped at 12 weeks.

When should I start looking?

Start during pregnancy, ideally in the second trimester. Infant rooms have the fewest slots because of tight licensed ratios, and many programs in high-demand areas carry waitlists of six to twelve months or longer. Tour two or three centers and join their waitlists well before your due date.

Waiting until the baby arrives, or until leave is ending, is the most common timing mistake parents describe to us. Some waitlists require a deposit to hold your place, so ask what each one costs and whether it is refundable. Our enrollment timing guide covers how seasons affect when slots open.

How young can a baby start?

Most licensed centers accept infants starting at about six weeks old, though the exact minimum is set by each program and by state child care licensing rules. Family child care homes sometimes take younger babies. Ask each program directly rather than assuming a standard age.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that group care raises a baby's exposure to common infections, so frequent early illness is normal, not a sign you chose poorly. Many families start a few weeks later than the minimum when leave and budget allow. See our daycare by age guide for how infant rooms differ from toddler rooms.

How much does newborn care cost?

Infant care is the most expensive age band. Full-day infant care commonly runs about $40 to $120 a day, per the US Department of Labor (DOL) National Database of Childcare Prices, with the priciest metros well above that range. Costs ease as babies age into toddler rooms with looser ratios.

You can offset part of it. A Dependent Care FSA lets most households set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax, and the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit counts up to $3,000 of expenses for one child, per IRS Publication 503. Run your numbers through our cost calculator and read the daycare cost guide for ranges by age.

How do I plan around leave?

Federal law guarantees no paid leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), administered by the US Department of Labor, gives eligible employees up to 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave for a new child, with eligibility tied to employer size and hours worked. Some states and employers add paid leave on top.

1. Confirm your leave length early, because it sets the daycare start date you need a slot for.
2. Check state paid-leave programs, since several states run their own paid family leave separate from FMLA.
3. Test subsidy eligibility through your state's Child Care and Development Fund program if you meet income limits, per ACF rules.
4. Line up a short bridge, like a relative or backup care, if your slot opens a few weeks after leave ends.

Quick answers

When to start? Second trimester; infant waitlists can run six to twelve months or more.

How young? Often about six weeks at centers, per state licensing minimums.

What does it cost? Roughly $40 to $120 a day for infants, per DOL ranges.

How much leave? Up to 12 unpaid weeks under FMLA, per the US Department of Labor.