Going back to work in 4 weeks. Looking for some advice :)

Tess024

Hello ladies!! DS is a little over 5 weeks old now, and I'll be going back to work in 4 weeks, so he'll be 9 weeks at that time. 

I was wondering when is a good time to implement a sleep schedule, so he'll be in a pattern by the time I go back in April. Is it too soon to start now, or in 2 weeks? He sleeps long stretches at night now, so I want to get it to where I have to wake up only once before waking up for the day. Also, how did you cope with going back to work, while the baby was keeping you up at night? little cap-naps at lunch, lol

I'm nervous that I'm going to be so sad when I have to leave DS with my MIL. I always knew I needed to go back to work, and I'm definitely not cut out to be a SAHM (god bless them all), but I think I'm going to be a blubbery mess when I have to leave him How did you cope?

Thanks!

jf198400

Personally I wouldn't try to get him on a schedule now b/c it is likely to change when you go back to work anyways. My DS started STTN pretty early like 6weeks. But when I went back to work at 14weeks he started waking up at night again. I managed by cosleeping, otherwise I would have been a zombie most days.

Some things I did to help prepare myself mentally for returning to work, was go shopping for new work clothes and get my hair cut so I would feel good. I also picked some cute photos of LO and put them in frames for my desk. I also recommend practicing your morning routine ahead of time before your first day. And prep some freezer meals and clean your house before you go back. These things will relieve some of the stress so you can focus on LO at night.

*sparky*

Ditto everything the PP said.  I don't think you can force your LO into a schedule yet, and even if you did, it would likely change. 

As far as coping with drop off, I went to work early and had DH deal with drop offs.  It made it so much easier on me.  With this LO I don't have that option and I know it will be hard.  You just have to know they are in good hands and that helps a lot.

Definitely agree with doing a couple of trial run days the week before you go back but if you can I would also drop him off with your MIL or have her come over (whichever you will be doing when you go back to work) for at least a couple of half days the week before so she can get used to caring for him a little bit before she has him FT.

cecilyandgautam

If you want to go the sleep training route, I think Ferber is the most research based - he runs an infant sleep clinic at a university and the first third of his book is an overview of how infant sleep works. 

That said, even Ferber doesn't recommend starting a sleep training program before 4 months. I think at younger ages, you can establish a routine - like bath time, massage, put on night time outfit, nurse, swaddle, down in crib - because newborns recognize patterns and learn to respond to those, but I think you have to maintain flexibility regarding the frequency of eating and waking at night for a few more months at least. I know it's rough but it does get better after the first couple months back at work. 

Tess024

Thank you so much for your help ladies!!

emberlee3

I wouldn't try to put him on a schedule.  Just go with the flow.  DS never, ever wanted to nurse before I went to work, so I always had to pump before leaving home or as soon as I got to work.  DD was more willing to nurse right before I left. 

It is normal to feel sad and nervous about leaving your LO.  The first few weeks will be tough.  Try not to plan much outside of work and baby time at first.  I bedshared with DS for 9 months and kept DD in a RNP by my bed until 6 months, which gave us a little more time together.

skibunny59

He's WAY too young for a schedule in my opinion.

Co-sleeping was a lifesaver for us because it helped all of us get the most sleep at night.  DD slept better when she was next to me and I slept better because I didn't have to get  my butt out of bed 3-4 times per night.

It's hard to leave them but co-sleeping has helped us with this too.  I miss her so much during the day so I like having this special bonding time at night.  I think co-sleeping is the best thing for working moms.

I agree with PP's suggestion on prepping freezer meals.  I have a pretty good system of cooking and freezing a ton of meals on the weekends during nap time and I also cook 2 nights per week at night after DD is in bed.  This helps me focus on DD when I pick her up and spend as much time with her as I can instead of doing chores.

MommyAtty

If your bun already sleeps for long stretches, I see no reason not to try to start coaxing him into the hours you'd like for him to sleep. That's what I did with mine, though frankly she didn't take that much of a shift, only about an hour. I went back at 6 wks, and she's slept through the night the last 19 months. (Hoping for the same luck with #2 who is coming in May!) I think there have been about a total of four nights where she hasn't slept thru the night, all due to teething. And she sleeps in her own crib. If your LO is doing that, there's no reason to force co-sleeping.