Night Nurse

TryingforBaby1

I have a one-year old and am expecting twins this summer. My mom is willing to hire a night nurse for us, but it would be in lieu of other baby items that we would end up needing to purchase on our own. I am really interested in hearing whether having a night nurse was really, really valuable or a luxury that you could have done without.

 Thanks for any insight!

OrangeSmoke

What "other things" are we talking about here?  And how would having to buy them yourself affect you financially?

In retrospect, I really wish we had sprung for a night nurse.  But not if that means my child wouldn't have a crib to sleep in....

 

TryingforBaby1

We could afford to buy the other things, but I am trying to make all of the numbers work for childcare (or someone staying home) once the babies are here. We have everything from our son, so we do not need too much. I am thinking the other things would cost about $2K, at most. I am wondering if we are better off keeping that in our savings and going without the night nurse.

Or should we just buy what we need and then enjoy the luxury of a night nurse?

 

liberty09

I have 3 week old twins & my hubby and I bounced the idea of a night nurse around before the twins were born, but decided to wait and see.  I'm excited to say we have been doing fine on our own thus far!!!  We also have an 18 month old.

OrangeSmoke

TryingforBaby1:

We could afford to buy the other things, but I am trying to make all of the numbers work for childcare (or someone staying home) once the babies are here. We have everything from our son, so we do not need too much. I am thinking the other things would cost about $2K, at most. I am wondering if we are better off keeping that in our savings and going without the night nurse.

Or should we just buy what we need and then enjoy the luxury of a night nurse?

 

How are you with sleep deprivation?  A lot of MoMs I know do all the overnight feedings by themselves.  But I'm a wuss and needed my sleep and dh to help me.  I know that I would have DIED if I were alone.

So I guess it's really up to you and how you are and how much help you'll have.

 

Soon2beMrs.Sivert

We didn't use one. However, we did have day help from our moms for 6 weeks. They took turns coming over from about 8-5 every day. We were able to get some sleep during the day that way. It made it a little easier to get through the nights. 

I don't know if that's an option for you. Even without the grandma help it is probably cheaper to find people to help during the day. 

jcath

I had one twice a week from 3 weeks to 7 weeks.  It was amazingly helpful.  I felt like a real human after she came and think I was much better able to cope with everything else.  I'm a big believer in not getting into a crisis.

So if you can swing it I'd do it.   

crystaleyes39

We ended up not planning for a night nurse and by the time the girls were 2 months old we caved in and got one for only 2 nights a week, but I live for those night to get sleep without any disturbance. We have her a total of 2 months and she is worth every penny. I am not one who has done so well with the lack of sleep so like others have said if you can handle the lack of sleep then you'll do fine... but my advice is if you mom is offering ACCEPT

erinruns

I had an evening nurse (she came from 5-11pm).  I went to bed at 8 and she came and woke me at 11pm.  It was awesome.  Also?  She was a pro with newborns so she taught me *so* many little things.  It was totally worth it.

If I were you, I'd figure out how to get those things you need for way less than $2,000 (craigslist? local multiples club?) and go with a night nurse. 

emma12210

The most important factor for you is your older child. I have an older child as well... the problem is, with 2 babies, you could realistically be up all night, then you have to get up in the morning to take care of your older child all day. It's not like you can sleep when the baby sleeps.

If it weren't for my older child, I don't think it would have been as important, b/c I could have slept during the day.

When DH went back to work after 2 weeks (he works some nights), there were honestly nights that I only got 2-3 hours of broken sleep. Thank God my mom lives an hour away and was able to come help those days... I don't know what I would have done! I so looked forward to our night nurse coming! We used her 3 nights a week for the first month, then twice a week til they were 6 weeks.

Money well spent!

GL!