How am I gonna do this?

Jitterbug2668

I haven't been keeping up on the nest/bump as much as I'd like.  I'm so excited about all the new DC babies!  I know some of you ladies have been waiting for a very very long time like my DH and I did.  We finally found out DS has reflux @ 8 weeks- no dairy issues like I had previously thought.   I could shoot myself in the foot for not pursuing the issue earlier w/ the pedi but you live and learn and I've learned!  He's a totally different baby now on meds.  DS is now almost 16lbs - today's his 3 month birthday!  Last week I started back part time teleworking from home so I'm back to work sorta and will return full time in Aug.

Right now, I get up at 0445, shower, pump, start work (teleworking right now) by 6.  DS usually wakes up anywhere between 8-9:30.  He nurses and I take him up to my mom then come back and work some more and then pick him up by 3. 

In a few weeks, I'm going to have to return to work full time - commuting 3 hours a day and having to be at work by 6 am.

At this point, I'm looking to get up at 0315, shower, pump b/c that takes at least 1/2 hour, get ready, get DS loaded up and on the road by 0430 at the latest. 

I hate having to wake DS up this early, but I unfortunately don't have a flexible schedule.  I know I'll just have to go w/ the flow of things and see how they'll pan out.  Thinking about all the logistics completely stresses me out at the moment, but moms do this all the time right?  I'm thinking 0315 is early enough, but maybe not early enough if DS wants to nurse in the morning.  Is it possible to put DS in the carseat w/ his sleep sack still on? Say I just unzip the bottom and pull his feet out?  I'm hoping I can do that and when he gets to my mom's he can take a bottle if he wants to and go back to sleep.

Ahhhhh...*le sigh*  I know I'll figure it out eventually. 

Theresa

eeclem

What does DH do in the mornings?

Personally, I would skip that first pump and save  yourself half an hour. Nurse DS when he wakes up and pump when you get to work. I also have friends who have mastered pumping while driving. I honestly don't know how they do it, but I know it can be done. 

tomandcourt

Two questions: can you skip pumping in the morning (before your LO wakes up)? Unless you need the extra milk, it seems like you could skip this step and sleep in a little. Also, can your husband drop the baby off at your mom's? Not sure what his schedule is but that might allow him to sleep in.

Otherwise, yes, I think you can send him in the sleep sack with the bottom unzipped. But that kind of depends on your LO -  I know mine would wake up and not fall back asleep if I moved him from crib to carseat, but yours might not.

Good luck! Figuring out the logistics of going back to work sucks, and it takes a while before you really have a good routine down - but you'll get there!

crazyDCbride

Personally, I'd ditch the sleep sack, and just get some cozy footie pajamas.

Your LO will adjust to the schedule - he'll probably just sleep for a while in the carseat.

Artslvr

A few thoughts.

Can DH take kiddo to your mom's house so baby can continue sleeping until later in the morning?  DH can be in charge of waking him, dressing him, giving him a bottle, etc.  Or if DH has to get up and out before baby's current wake up time of 8:00 - 9:00, maybe have DH get him up at 7:00 or whatever.

Personally I would keep the morning pump session, but that's just me. When I went back to work with both my kids that morning pump session was the most productive of the day, I would get a ton of milk first thing and it helped build my stash, and I had enough to nurse the baby later in the morning.  But of course I don't know what kind of supply you have/need.

When I was pumping/nursing I woke at around 5:00 to get out of the house by just before 7:00, so I think you are doing great if you can wake at 3:15 and be out by 4:30. 

MrsTiara

No advice, but sympathy.  I was getting up at 4-4:30 just to get into work by 7-7:30 (out the door around 6).  BabyCrown would fall asleep after being nursed & dressed, but then he was wide awake at DC.  Good luck adjusting back to work.

Jitterbug2668

I wish I didnt have to get DS up with me but my moms is an hour out of DHs commute.  I go north, he goes south, and my moms is north - on my way to work. 

Artslvr

Jitterbug2668:

I wish I didnt have to get DS up with me but my moms is an hour out of DHs commute.  I go north, he goes south, and my moms is north - on my way to work. 

I see.  Well then I'm with you on putting the baby in the car with his pj's on and getting him used to sleeping on the way.  I see a ton of kids on my commute asleep in their car seats while mom or dad is driving down 395 in the morning.  My kids never sleep in their car seats, but then again, we don't take them very far to daycare.

Baby4OT

Get a car adapter and learn to pump in the car! I never did it (didn't have the need), but I have some friends who did. Practice using a hands-free device at home first. Then I'd probably practice pumping in the passenger seat while DH drives somewhere (anywhere) so they you get used to teh logistics of car pumping without having to pay attention to the road. Then start pumping while driving.

Also, can you work it out so that you telecommute 1-2 days a week when you are working f/t? It seems like that might help a little too. I honestly can't imagine getting up at 3:15. Then again maybe DH is sleeping well. My DD2 was up off and on all night and my best stretch of sleep was usually about 3-6 or 7am. I honestly wouldn't have had any sleep at all if I had your work schedule!!

Whatever you decide, you WILL figure it out and you will all settle into a routine.

LMH1209

Is there any chance your mom could come to your house to watch DS?

Jitterbug2668

I think my mom would prefer to watch him at her house so she could get things accomplished at her house as well.  Its just the reality of it all.  Seems a little overwhelming but I'll get it all figured out.