Some APs can handle babies, but we waited until our youngest was starting preschool to get an AP. Its also hard to sell your position to APs when you need 40 hours a week vs families with school age children who only need 20 hours a week.

Definitely nanny

Get a nanny. That’s way too much for an au pair unless you were home with her.

we are thinking of getting an au pair to take care of our then 11 month old son from 9-5, and to pick up our toddler after school and be with both kids from 3-5p. for those with experience with au pairs, would you recommend having an au pair for kids so young or do you think it's better to stick with a nanny and maybe go with an au pair once kids are school aged?

many thanks!