RN's or other 12 hr shifters...

Re: RN's or other 12 hr shifters...

• Linds&Chris777

  June 2010

  I don't work such a long shift but you will be surprised at how quickly you get into a new routine.  The best thing is to just make sure you have everything packed and ready to go the night before.  I think it's much easier with newborn/infant than a toddler though because babies don't throw tantrums and refuse to let you get them dressed in the morning or eat their breakfast or get in the car, or ten million other things.

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• excitedforlittleone member

  June 2010

  You just do what you have to do lol.  You find your routine just like any other person with a 9-5 job.  I work nights but we have our routine and it works.  It's very hard though I'm not going to lie.  Working shift work and having a child is tough stuff...

  

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• electricdoctor83 member

  June 2010

  You'll get used to your new routine but it is hard.  I'm 11 months in and I still have "bad" days. 

  Just make sure EVERYTHING is finished the night before.  I get up 30 minutes earlier than I did before I had Jack to get out of the door on time.

  I get up at 4:30 am, get Jack up at 5:30, out the door at 5:50 and get to MIL's house to drop him off.  I drive almost an hour and clock in at 7. 

  Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml

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• thenewmrsd625

  June 2010

  I'm an RN and work 7pm-7:30am.  I also have an hour or longer commute with traffic.  Its so much harder than before I had DD.  Its really hard to fit in time to sleep and as you can see by the time of this post (12:15am EST) I have issues with insomnia on my nights off.  I would try showering the night before and having everything all packed and ready to go.  Other than that, I think you just have to sacrifice the extra 30 minutes of sleep unfortunately.

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• orchidwedding

  June 2010

  My hubbie works 12 hour shift.  We take advantage of it and have LO in daycare only 4 days a week while I work 5 days.  He sees LO in the AM just before work for AM bottle and PM after work while I cook for last bottle before bedtime.  It works out if you make it work.

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• jmrussell03

  June 2010

  I work 7a-730p. I used to get up at about 515. Now, this is our schedule...

  430 - pump and then I put a bottle upstairs so DH can feed DS when he wakes up.

  5am - Shower and get ready.

  530 - DH wakes up at 530 to feed DS and get him dressed. I will usually put DS in his carseat, so I can get some snuggles and kisses first.

  6am - DS and I load up and leave for daycare.

  610 am Drop DS off at daycare and off to work.

  I totally agree with having EVERYTHING ready the night before. Clothes laid out, lunches packed, daycare stuff ready, etc. The few days I have neglected this, we have run late and I had to sacrafice my morning coffee and chat with DCP.

  I don't think the morning part was the hardest part, but the nightime part. With my 40 minute commute, IF I get off on time, I get home from work at 815 or so. Bedtime is 830. So, all I really get to do is nurse DS and cuddle a bit before bed. Sometimes, I let him stay up later so I can play with him a bit. But, there is at least one shift a week where I don't get off on time and DS is already sleeping when I get home. That part sucks beyond words.

  You will adjust quickly. I was nervous too cause DH and I are not morning people. GL

   

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