working moms - re: returning from maternity leave

katpres06

I go back to work on Tuesday. Actually I can't wait! I'm sure it will be a little more difficult than I realize, but I know he's in good hands.

Is there anything that you did before, or would recommend to do to get yourself and LO ready for this. I'm not so worried about the transition. Probably more selfishly, I'm worried about the night.

DS is still only sleeping for about 3-4 hours at a time. DH can help, but he sleeps like a log. If I kept the monitor on his side of the bed, it would still take him 10 minutes to even wake up. Me, on the other hand, am a very light sleeper. I'll wake up to the slightest noise.

 So, any suggestions on making this a little easier? TIA!

mrs.george2be04

I just wanted to wish you good luck and I'm glad you're feeling so positive about it.  Let us know how it goes!

gandcnky

I don't really have any suggestions for the night wakings (I was so lucky with B's sleep), but what helped me with my morning routine was doing a dry run a week or so beforehand just to see how much time it would take me to get him up, dressed, fed, and everything ready to go before we were out the door.  That helped a lot so I would know what time I needed to get up.  I also did as much the night before as I could (laid out B's clothes, got bottles ready to take to the sitter, made sure diaper bag was packed, etc.).  Good luck!

warriormomerin

My returning to work experiences were different for each kid. DD was really wore out from daycare and went from sleeping 6 hours a night to 12 hours. DS still woke up 2-3 times a night.  The kid just hates sleep.

Would you and Alex be interested in a trip to Whit's on Monday before you go back to work?  I know DD would love it.

MrsMoher

My recommendation... use the elbow.  Dh can sleep through a lot, but an elbow to the stomach usually wakes his butt up.  My poor DH...

It will be hard.  Try to leave early the first day if you can.  Don't agree to take on everything day one back on the job.  Ease into it and I think most companies will do that anyway.  And don't feel like you can't call.  Oh and tissues... carry tissues.  If you are anything like me you will need them.  Good luck.

Superchicy

I was excited to get back to work too.  It really wasn't as bad as I thought, and after a week or so it was no big deal. 

On the sleeping thing, if your DH will get up if you wake him, that would be my suggestion.  When you hear LO, get your DH up so you can go back to sleep.    Waking and going back to sleep isn't as bad as having to get up with LO, so if he can take a feeding or two at night, or one early in the morning, you'd get a longer stretch of sleep.  I'm jealous of your 3-4 hr sleep segments too, lol! 

riabiron

The only thing that saved me was that I was nursing and when she would wake up the first time I would put her in bed with us, get her latched on and go back to sleep. When she would wake up again we would switch to the other side and do the same. I know the co-sleeping thing isn't for everyone but we did it for a couple of months to save my sanity.

frschaffner

gandcnky:

I don't really have any suggestions for the night wakings (I was so lucky with B's sleep), but what helped me with my morning routine was doing a dry run a week or so beforehand just to see how much time it would take me to get him up, dressed, fed, and everything ready to go before we were out the door.  That helped a lot so I would know what time I needed to get up.  I also did as much the night before as I could (laid out B's clothes, got bottles ready to take to the sitter, made sure diaper bag was packed, etc.).  Good luck!

 I agree 100%.  For me, DD STTN from 5 weeks on, so we didn't have to deal with the sleep thing.  On the occasional nights where she does wake up at 3 or 4 am, DH will go get her and see if she just wants to chat, play or get in her swing, and if she's hungry, he'll either wake me or give her a bottle if I'm really tired.
For going back to work, I definitely agree with a dry run.  Time it all out, then add 30 minutes for incidentals.  Do as much the night before as you can.
Another thought on sleeping...DD was sleeping 8 hours at night before, but when we started at daycare this week (I was part-time for 5 weeks before coming full-time, and DD was at grandma's), she's been sleeping 10 hours a night.  I guess it's just exhausting.  :-)
Good luck!!!

tiffyr0se

Start taking him to the sitter's this week for at least a couple hours a day. That way you can both get used to saying goodbye and hopefully your first day back won't be as emotional. Also you'll be able to go to the sitter's if there is a problem.

notguilty

No advice.  And a warning....it sucks.  I was so ready to go back to work and now I wish I could have taken more time off.  It's hard to not feel guilty sometimes. 

I breastfeed so I was the one up all the time at night feeding her.  Thank goodness DD is sleeping through the night now.  When I first went back to work I could barely function during the day.  My advice is to get into a routine and go to bed early.  DH and I maximize our time with our daughter by dividing up chores around the house.  For example, he'll play with her while I get everything ready for the next day (i.e., pack lunch, get pumped milk into bottles, make dinner, etc.) and then I'll get time with her after dinner and bathtime/sleepy time while DH finishes up what I didn't get done.  We switch off every other day.  It's a nice routine that allows us to accomplish everything, spend quality time with DD and have some alone time with each other after putting her down. 

Go to bed early!  Get in a routine now.  You're life will suck if you don't.  Trust me.  There were times I couldn't think of the word I wanted to use because I was so tired.  You'll eventually get into the swing of things and it will be great.