How do you and SO do your baby shifts?

caitdana

I work 7-3:30 and DH works 4-11:30.  We do all our feedings, of course, while the other is at work. We are only home together for 2 feedings a day during the week and that is the 2 am and the 5 am. I take the 5 am because I need to get up anyway for work and DH takes the 2 am because he is still winding down from work. He wakes me up to "help him" with the 2 am and does not understand why I dont want to wake up and feed one of the girls.  He does it during the day just fine when I am not there and I dont wake him up for the 5 am.  I dont understand why I cant sleep for a small block of time consecutively. Ella will have to be a 3 hr on the button eater for a couple of months so we will probably just keep Sophia on the same schedule so that we dont go crazy. Anyone else have any hints on doing baby shifts? Any better way to handle this?

AlishaMay

It sounds to me like the two of you have a pretty good schedule worked out - and a pretty fair one at that.  To me it sounds like you're more frustrated that he isn't doing the 2am feed all by himself, and letting you sleep. 

Playing devil's advocate here - but maybe your DH is craving some family time?  Do you have much other time where the four of you are up and together?  If that's what's going on, maybe you can switch the 'family feed' back and forth between the 2am feed and the 5am feeds?

hunt2005

I like the idea above! Take turns on which of the overnight feeds you both get up and have that family time. If he's anything like my husband, I know he's completely capable but he'll still want me "there" just to have more time with me. Sounds like you get very little "husband/wife" time and it's all "mommy/daddy" time, so maybe that's part of it? Your schedule sounds great, I'd see if he'll compromise somewith those overnight feeds!

caitdana

thanks ladies. it is just hard to make time for family or hubby wife time when you are this tired

GSwans

I hear that...when you have infants AND you're working...sleep is precious.  I like the above suggestion!