I haven't read through this thread yet... my bad. But I start my internship tmw and i'm nervous! I'm sure it's all been discussed but i'm worried about getting ready with the baby in the morning and pumping while there. I know it will work out but I hate the night before butterflies!
I haven't read through this thread yet... my bad. But I start my internship tmw and i'm nervous! I'm sure it's all been discussed but i'm worried about getting ready with the baby in the morning and pumping while there. I know it will work out but I hate the night before butterflies!
You'll be awesome! Let those butterflies lift you up to better heights. Good luck tomorrow!!
I return to the office on September 21, and although I am looking forward to going back to work for the adult conversation, I'm going to miss LO sooooo much! I never saw myself as a stay at home mom, and I'm usually very motivated and ambitious at work, but suddenly the idea of being home with him all day seems like the right one.
I can't afford to drop my job, however, because I have to help my parents financially and therefore need both incomes. It makes me a little bitter sometimes to know that this is one of the main reasons I can't stay home with LO, but I try to look on the bright side where I can.
Starting bottles this week to get LO used to it, and pumping at work, so hopefully even though I can't be there all day with him, he can at least have the milk! Just have to make sure my mom (who will be watching him) doesn't over feed him!
Work is kicking my butt and I should be sleeping but well, I'm bumping instead.
It's really difficult at first going back but it does get easier. The one saving grace is the happiness I feel coming home to my boys. Breastfeeding LO finally feels magical after being at work all day.
@virginiaunicorn11 I've considered finding a job working from home but I realized that it's hard to focus with little humans that are so needy. I learned this by trying to bring work home one day. It just didn't happen. I know someone that's a nanny for a woman that works from home. So even though she's in the house she can't really tend to her children during working hours. I didn't get it at first but I totally understand it now.
It actually does feel good to get out of the house and yes, I do feel like I'm more engaged and appreciative during the time I do have with LO. The same with work. It's been a while since I've been this happy with my job - I think due to the refreshing time off.
LO had started resisting the bottle couple weeks ago, which was really stressful! When DH has watched DS, he just patiently offers him the bottle every little while until he's ready to take it (and before he starts freaking out). LO went through several bottles at daycare with no problem.
Pumping at work is a pain, but hasn't been as bad as I feared. Having an office with a door really helps. Then I go to a private bathroom to wash out bottles before leaving them in the fridge. I had to rent a giant Symphony pump, which I tote around in a small roller bag (hoping it just makes me look professional ).
The bad
Evenings are so unorganized trying to tackle chores, pumping, hanging out with LO and maybe even a workout. Need to figure out a routine.
The ugly
Because I was out of town most of the summer, I had no freezer stash and keeping up supply has been brutal. I had a tiny cushion built last weekend, which LO quickly wiped out (he put down 24 ounces in my absence for the first couple days). I started the week pumping up to 7-8 times on top of nursing 5-6 times. (plus DH fed 2-3 times during the first couple nights). So. Exhausting.
I ugly cried after a couple nights of that, being so stressed out about not being able to keep up. (LO had a bad reaction to formula early on, which adds a lot to the pressure. We have some nondairy formula for emergencies but are a little gun shy). But thankfully I'm gradually getting more from each pumping session and LO has gone back to only waking once at night. So I'm actually ending the week with a small surplus, yay!
Me-37, DH-38
Married in 2006, TTC #1 since Jan 2012
Baby Boy born June 1, 2015
He settles her in her home as a happy mother of children, praise the Lord! (Psalms 113:9)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understand, will guard your heart and mind in Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:7)
I can't afford to drop my job, however, because I have to help my parents financially and therefore need both incomes. It makes me a little bitter sometimes to know that this is one of the main reasons I can't stay home with LO, but I try to look on the bright side where I can.
That sounds like a very stressful position to be in, at too young of an age. So sorry
I know it's different for everyone, but I was feeling the same way about 2-3 weeks ago. Now, going back hasn't been bad at all. Hopefully it will be some special grandma time for your LO
Me-37, DH-38
Married in 2006, TTC #1 since Jan 2012
Baby Boy born June 1, 2015
He settles her in her home as a happy mother of children, praise the Lord! (Psalms 113:9)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understand, will guard your heart and mind in Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:7)
Work is kicking my butt and I should be sleeping but well, I'm bumping instead.
It's really difficult at first going back but it does get easier. The one saving grace is the happiness I feel coming home to my boys. Breastfeeding LO finally feels magical after being at work all day.
This. I am so exhausted from working all day, but coming home & BFing LO throughout the afternoon/night is so much more meaningful & doesn't feel so much like a chore.
Anyone else who's gone back struggling with supply? I'm pumping at work, but my schedule varies every day as to when I can pump, so my body is like WTF?! I'm going to start fenugreek this week to see if it helps.
@mindaa one of my friends is doing half breast milk, half formula. She was having the same problem keeping up with supply. It took a lot of stress off her. Maybe you could try that?
So today is my 4th week back at work, for pumping at work a few tips have saved me one I wear my hand free pumping bra under my regular nursing bra frees up time. I have pretty set times when I pump which helps. I also super struggle with cleaning and playing with lo and sleeping and having dinner ready. My dh will watch and hold lo but isn't helpful cleaning so I get to spend the whole day at work then come home and clean and not really get to spend time with the her. It's frustrating my job ends in Feb and I'm trying to apply for new jobs too so even some more added stress on the pile. Anyway life is tough for us ladies, we really have to do it all lol. Thank goodness for anxiety medication!
Glad to see this thread active. I felt a little jealous when I started and was going back when so many people were still home. I've been back at work for 9-10 weeks now and started a new job teaching high school 10 days ago. So I've only had time to read but not contribute. My teaching contract is part time so I've had to keep my old job for a while. Also there's been no chance to transition and train someone in to replace me. Right now my schedule is nuts and I am working 6-7 days a week but hopefully this change eventually leads to a better schedule for me. Already I am home for 5 bedtimes a week instead of 2.
I actually love working. I love teaching and I love my other job. I just also need more time at home. I wish there were more hours in the week. The kids will only be little for so long so I will stay part time teaching and cut my hours at the other job significantly.
I do feel a lot of pressure as the sole breadwinner and dealing with nursing and pumping and trying to spend as much time as I can with my kids. I've found that even in a 12 hour work day I only find time to pump twice. Then the next day I'll only be away from home for 4-5 hours and nursing frequently. My body gets completely out of wack. So far I am keeping up but Thursday I left home at 8am, pumped at school at 12:30, went to pump again at other job at 5 and realized I had forgotten my pump parts. Sad! Ran to babies r us and was pumping by 6. Got home at 9pm and LO had just eaten so didn't nurse until 12. Period arrived next morning. Bummer!
I am a preschool teacher and went back to work a couple weeks ago. After about a week my boss asked me to extend my hours. My DH and I talked about it and decided to tell the boss no and put in my two weeks notice. So I have one week left until stay at home mommy hood! Plus now I don't have to deal with my boss because she is a very very frustrating woman to work for anyway.
Those that have gone back to work and doing daycare, what does your morning routine look like? Does DH put bottles together? Dress LO? When do you get ready for work?
Right now mine wakes up at 5:30 and goes back to sleep until 8-9. I'll have to leave house by 7:20 to make it on time. Wondering if need to begin her day at 6am and get her to bed earlier
@sir1229 I been wondering this as well. I have to do the whole show since husband has to be to work by 6:00am. I think it will be a working process for sure!
All you working mommys are amazing. I've been dreading going back. We're ebf so I was hoping someone with some experience could offer this ftm some advice.
I work 12.5 shifts in a busy trauma center as a nurse three days a week. I want to keep breastfeeding but am so worried about my supply. I leave the house at 620 or so and won't return until about 8 pm so it's about fourteen hours away from home. Baby seems to wake between 430 and 6 to feed so I'm hoping to get one feeding session in before work. Baby typically only eats off of one breast per feeding.
Should I double pump before work?? If baby does wake to eat should I just pump the breast he doesn't eat off of or pump both?
I think I can manage double pumping at work at about 930, lunch around 130-2 and then I'm kind of stuck because it's too busy after that time to take a break... I definitely won't get to go after my lunch. I could push my lunch break later to like 3.... And then pump on my way home? Just so worried about my supply.
What is your ladies schedule of pumping at work and how has your supply been affected?
@momtobe613 my worries are extremely similar. I don't know when I'm going to have time to pump on my shifts. And half are night shifts and since LO sleeps thru the night I usually don't feed but since I'll be sleeping during the day I'm worried my supply will be totally out of whack.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
Also wondering about pumping at work! Will be away for 11.5-12 hours. I figured feed LO before leaving then pump at work before shift. Would that be too close together? Only feeding on one side currently, how does that work with double pumping? I'll be home for 3 days a week and I feel like that would screw up my work pumping routine. Any tips would be great!
ETA: my shifts are also going to very depending on the day.
Those that have gone back to work and doing daycare, what does your morning routine look like? Does DH put bottles together? Dress LO? When do you get ready for work?
Right now mine wakes up at 5:30 and goes back to sleep until 8-9. I'll have to leave house by 7:20 to make it on time. Wondering if need to begin her day at 6am and get her to bed earlier
I used to stress about this big time so I don't mind sharing! We sort of fell into this routine and it's worked great for us. I'm a morning person so I don't mind getting ready first because I leave pretty early to be downtown, park, walk to work and start work at 7:30. - 5:00 Mom wakes, showers, makeup, hair. - 5:00 During this time dad is sleeping but "on call" should LO wake. - 6:00 Mom eats, makes her lunch, puts bottles in bottle bag (made the night before), and other small tasks around the house. - 6:20 Dad wakes up, showers, gets dressed. - 6:20 Mom is in charge of baby while he gets ready. - 6:30 LO wakes (naturally...like clockwork - it's crazy convenient), I change her and feed her, which I love so that I get to spend some time with her in the morning. - 6:50 Mom leaves for work. Dad finishes feeding, if necessary, finishes getting her ready. - 7:30 Dad takes LO to daycare (mom picks up at the end of the day) - Wash, rinse, repeat!
I still can't get over how short the evenings are!! (
^^ Wanted to also say that of course this isn't ALWAYS perfect. For example LO woke at 4:45 this morning (I think she didn't eat as much as normal yesterday) and was very hungry so I fed her and got her back down for a "nap" before getting ready. So then she just slept until right before DH left. I wanted to craft out an exact plan before going back, but instead we sort of went with the flow and it ended up being a better flow than I probably would have drawn up! So allow plenty of time but don't stress too much!
This is so hard! I started back Friday. I had to sit in meetings for my boss today to address topics that I am not up to speed on and address questions that I did not know the answers to. In addition to working on a huge project due by the end of the week. The old
Those that have gone back to work and doing daycare, what does your morning routine look like? Does DH put bottles together? Dress LO? When do you get ready for work?
Right now mine wakes up at 5:30 and goes back to sleep until 8-9. I'll have to leave house by 7:20 to make it on time. Wondering if need to begin her day at 6am and get her to bed earlier
4:15 I wake up and pump 4:45 I do yoga 5:30 baby and daddy wake; I wash pumping equipment and prep bottles for the sitter 5:40 I feed the baby and eat a smoothie; read a book to baby if time permits 6:10ish shower and get ready 6:30 I dated baby in a onesie 6:45 daddy leaves and takes baby to sitter 7:15 I leave the housE
@slr1229 I teach & need to leave the house by 630 at the latest but like to leave by 615 normally. LO eats between 3-4am (she's still waking at 12,3-4 if she goes to bed around 830ish- some things to think about: I am so exhausted that I don't do a dream feed bc I'm usually in bed by 930 at the latest. So I think that's part of the midnight feed. Also, daycare gives her 4 oz bottles every 3 hours, while I EBF every 2 at home... Not sure if that effects her either) Anyways. I am up between 430-5 to eat while I pump my opposite side (see further down), do my bible study, pack my bags (pumping supplies I washed last night) & her bottles/bags. Then I do hair/makeup (I shower at night). During this time, DH is on paci duty, in case she wakes he reinserts paci to calm her. By 6ish I get her up, changed & dressed, I feed her & then we're out the door. DH doesn't need to be up until 715. If I'm late or extra tired/sick feeling, he does get up to help. Key is planning & flexibility.
Now, @momtobe613, my LO only eats off one side. To build my stash for the day time, I only feed off of one side all night. (So tonight from 830-430, I only feed her off my right side). Then when I pump at 430am, I get about 3oz. I then feed her at 6am. My pumping schedule rotates at school (my planning period is different everyday), but I try to pump by 10am, around 1130am, & 230pm. They're more spread out & the first week hurt a little, but my body is getting used to its schedule & producing enough at those rough times. Your body does learn to adjust to certain times you set. & @dancegurl1118 as long as you wake up & BF during the day & consistently pump at night at work, it should level out. & @NH627 those 3 days off, I would pump the "other side" just before or after she eats (I do every other feeding (so every 4 hours I pump) on weekends, to keep the double idea going. I've heard you get better results with double. Sorry for the ramble. Hope something helps! I've been blessed with some amazing coworkers who have stepped up to cover, support, & just offer advise about being a working/BFing mom!
We start the day care transition today. She goes afternoons this week and I go back to work next Wednesday. I'm worried about nap time and getting her schedule screwed up but I know it will be fine. Is it sad I'm excited to have a few hours to get the house clean? We haven't mopped since LO was born.
@dancegurl1118 Totally know about that night shift life. I just got a day shift for when I go back. Thanks for your support. Hopefully things will transition smoothly for both of us and all the other working mommas.
@krystleshel Thanks for letting me know your schedule. Hoping body adjusts like you said! Can't imagine being a leaking ER nurse... That won't be a good sight for anyone.
Thinking of all you ladies going back to work! I go back Sunday and Monday night shifts 7 to 7. I'm very nervous about remembering all my nursing skills and being away from him. I also am nervous about pumping time. We only get 4 nurses at night and that's for labor, postpartum and nursery....... And when you have 4 labor rooms well you do the math! It can get crazy.
@klkonwi I keep having nightmares about going back to work and not knowing anything. One was j had no scrubs and was in my underwear and had a crash for a terminal brady and there was no nurse because I wasn't dressed. I feel bad for whoever my first IV stick is after 16 weeks off...
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
I decided to take 12 weeks and go back a week from next Monday. We're going to the beach next week and I'll go back when we get back. I'm so dreading it. I cried my eyes out last night. I'm sad because today was mine and LOs last day just us and tomorrow is the last day with just me, DH, and LO. DH won't get to go to the beach with us and he just called and said he has to work late because of a power outage. I don't want to go back. Is it tacky to start a gofundme page to be a stay st home mommy? Just kidding.....
@klkonwi Good luck on your first shifts back. I'm so nervous too. I tried on my pre baby scrubs yesterday and I clearly need to get new scrubs for my newfound fat postpartum body. So nervous about having to take care of people while worrying about my Lo especially while we're having the bottle standoff. Hope I can remember how to be a nurse too!!
You're going to do great!!! Let us know how it goes!
I know I'm the minority here, but I can't wait to go back and feel like a real adult again. This one has been tough and I feel like I'm not doing a very good job anyway. I'm not looking forward to the first 2 weeks of her adjusting since she doesn't nap well unless she's next to me or in the swing. But we'll survive.
You are doing a great job, and you will realize it when you are at work away from her, but then can't wait to get back to her and she validates it in the many ways babies do...
First day back today. Luckily I have dress pants that fit since my legs are too bruised to wear a skirt. I forgot to set my alarm correctly, so I woke up 45 min later than I wanted. Otherwise, so far so good. I leave at 4 to pick up the kiddos, so we will see how LO fared!
I'm on day 2 back at work. I am lucky because my sister is watching LO. She lives about 15 min away from where I work, so I am the crazy mom who stops by on lunch to visit
I work from 8:30-5, so by the time we get home, I only have 1.5 hours with him until he goes to bed. That's the hardest part for me to accept right now. Going to have to make the weekends count!
Good! She only took cat naps, but I wasn't surprised. She cried when she heard my voice. She was really happy at home and we played quite a bit. I'm currently rocking and nursing, so hopefully she has a good night!
I'm so glad I started back on a Wednesday to give both of us a short first week.
Good! She only took cat naps, but I wasn't surprised. She cried when she heard my voice. She was really happy at home and we played quite a bit. I'm currently rocking and nursing, so hopefully she has a good night!
I'm so glad I started back on a Wednesday to give both of us a short first week.
That's awesome. Glad she did so good. Playtime and nursing were definitely necessary for momma and baby I'm sure. That was so smart to do a half week so to speak. Hope tomorrow is great too. I didn't even ask how momma did at work?? Sorry!!
It's my second week back at work. I work in the office tues-Thurs and from home mon and fri. Pumping at work is a job thankfully I only have to do it 3 days a week.
My daycare lady keeps telling me that my lo does great all day and she's so happy but by the time I get her she's sleepy and then we get home and feed her and then it's witching hour. All she wants to do is nurse. I understand so basically I get home, she cries while I put her down so I can change etc.then I feed her, then I put her down and she cries while I quickly heat and eat food and then nurse her again and then she falls asleep on me and cries of I try to put her down, then she goes to bed and I quickly follow to maximize my sleep. It's exhausting. I should note, hubby works 4-12 so it's just me and lo at the end of the day.
I went back to work two weeks ago but we only started daycare yesterday. It's a short week due to the holiday and so far so good. I've timed wake up time and drop off correctly, she hasn't gotten upset when I left, and she seems her normal smiley self when we all get home at night. And her feeding and sleeping patterns are the same. I'm really lucking out with this kid so far!
I know I'm the minority here, but I can't wait to go back and feel like a real adult again. This one has been tough and I feel like I'm not doing a very good job anyway. I'm not looking forward to the first 2 weeks of her adjusting since she doesn't nap well unless she's next to me or in the swing. But we'll survive.
You are doing a great job, and you will realize it when you are at work away from her, but then can't wait to get back to her and she validates it in the many ways babies do...
This. Couldn't wait to get back. Feeling non-maternal. Didn't shed a tear. It's not that I don't love him, I just need mental stimulation, a routine, and adult interaction.
I know I'm the minority here, but I can't wait to go back and feel like a real adult again. This one has been tough and I feel like I'm not doing a very good job anyway. I'm not looking forward to the first 2 weeks of her adjusting since she doesn't nap well unless she's next to me or in the swing. But we'll survive.
You are doing a great job, and you will realize it when you are at work away from her, but then can't wait to get back to her and she validates it in the many ways babies do...
This. Couldn't wait to get back. Feeling non-maternal. Didn't shed a tear. It's not that I don't love him, I just need mental stimulation, a routine, and adult interaction.
I feel like people expect me to have cried or gotten upset on the first day of daycare... But I didn't! I almost feel like I should say I did, or I'll seem like a bad mom lol. I miss her, but I am enjoying being back at work. I also feel like DH and I have more energy now. The only thing I hate is that LO spends more time with the daycare lady than me, and I get worried that LO will stop feeling attached to me. That would break my heart.
I LOVE my daycare, but my LO's morning teacher, who she's been with for 3 weeks, had pink eye last week & was out from Tues-Fri. She was back Mon thank goodness! LO was off routine & cranky. Then today I show up & no morning teacher. Ugh. I tried to explain her mourning routine to the lady next door but she just wants to "cuddle the cute baby." When I picked her up with her afternoon teacher she said she had been a little fussy (as she was screaming bloody murder). She said when she got there the morning lady had other teachers in there holding her (bc she's so adorable they want to "pass the baby"). She lost it on them & told them to get out of her room. Needless to say, LO came home PISSED. We nursed in bed & took a 2 & 1/2 hour nap & woke up happy as a lark. Damn these old ladies who want to cuddle babies. It makes me appreciate LO's normal strict teachers & their schedule!!! Pray for quick pink eye healing!!!!!
How are other teachers finding time and privacy to pump? I am teaching at the high school level and its impossible. I can't pump in my science lab. There are limited other spaces and I always bump into students or other teachers that need my help with things. I am finding time once a day at most. Today I was at school from 7:30 to 1 and just ended up pumping when I got home. I can't pump and do my job well. Unless I skip lunch, but its so nice to eat food that I don't have to prepare and talk with other adults for 20 minutes, I don't want to give up my one quick break.
Good! She only took cat naps, but I wasn't surprised. She cried when she heard my voice. She was really happy at home and we played quite a bit. I'm currently rocking and nursing, so hopefully she has a good night!
I'm so glad I started back on a Wednesday to give both of us a short first week.
That's awesome. Glad she did so good. Playtime and nursing were definitely necessary for momma and baby I'm sure. That was so smart to do a half week so to speak. Hope tomorrow is great too. I didn't even ask how momma did at work?? Sorry!!
I was happy to be back. There are so many BF-ing moms at work they had to add another lactation room. So at least there's no problems with pumping. It was nice to be an adult and use my brain again.
And I love love love one of the daycare ladies. She is on it. They have 4 babies per teacher and she still knows every detail of LO'S day without looking at her paper. She also expects a full briefing at drop off, which makes me feel like LO really is getting great care. It is such a relief. The other ladies are great, but she is just a whole different level.
@henrytviii I teach middle school so I understand your pain. We're on a rotating schedule, so I never have the same planning time. I just had to be upfront with my AP & immediate coworkers about what I needed. On 2 days of the rotation, I have a para come sit with my class for 15m (it's during our "long pd" (extra 20min) so I don't feel bad about losing class time) while I go pump in a conference room. Otherwise I pump on planning & my 20m lunch. When I pump, I put a sign on my locked lock on the door that says "Do Not Enter". Kids don't ask, but I was talking to a coworker about a field trip next week & she said in front of a class, "just tell them you can't go, you need to stay and pump!" Hahaha. Oh well.
Re: Working Mom Check In - Maternity Leaves Ending?
I can't afford to drop my job, however, because I have to help my parents financially and therefore need both incomes. It makes me a little bitter sometimes to know that this is one of the main reasons I can't stay home with LO, but I try to look on the bright side where I can.
Starting bottles this week to get LO used to it, and pumping at work, so hopefully even though I can't be there all day with him, he can at least have the milk! Just have to make sure my mom (who will be watching him) doesn't over feed him!
It's really difficult at first going back but it does get easier. The one saving grace is the happiness I feel coming home to my boys. Breastfeeding LO finally feels magical after being at work all day.
@virginiaunicorn11 I've considered finding a job working from home but I realized that it's hard to focus with little humans that are so needy. I learned this by trying to bring work home one day. It just didn't happen. I know someone that's a nanny for a woman that works from home. So even though she's in the house she can't really tend to her children during working hours. I didn't get it at first but I totally understand it now.
Anyone else who's gone back struggling with supply? I'm pumping at work, but my schedule varies every day as to when I can pump, so my body is like WTF?! I'm going to start fenugreek this week to see if it helps.
I actually love working. I love teaching and I love my other job. I just also need more time at home. I wish there were more hours in the week. The kids will only be little for so long so I will stay part time teaching and cut my hours at the other job significantly.
I do feel a lot of pressure as the sole breadwinner and dealing with nursing and pumping and trying to spend as much time as I can with my kids. I've found that even in a 12 hour work day I only find time to pump twice. Then the next day I'll only be away from home for 4-5 hours and nursing frequently. My body gets completely out of wack. So far I am keeping up but Thursday I left home at 8am, pumped at school at 12:30, went to pump again at other job at 5 and realized I had forgotten my pump parts. Sad! Ran to babies r us and was pumping by 6. Got home at 9pm and LO had just eaten so didn't nurse until 12. Period arrived next morning. Bummer!
Right now mine wakes up at 5:30 and goes back to sleep until 8-9. I'll have to leave house by 7:20 to make it on time. Wondering if need to begin her day at 6am and get her to bed earlier
I work 12.5 shifts in a busy trauma center as a nurse three days a week. I want to keep breastfeeding but am so worried about my supply. I leave the house at 620 or so and won't return until about 8 pm so it's about fourteen hours away from home. Baby seems to wake between 430 and 6 to feed so I'm hoping to get one feeding session in before work. Baby typically only eats off of one breast per feeding.
Should I double pump before work?? If baby does wake to eat should I just pump the breast he doesn't eat off of or pump both?
I think I can manage double pumping at work at about 930, lunch around 130-2 and then I'm kind of stuck because it's too busy after that time to take a break... I definitely won't get to go after my lunch. I could push my lunch break later to like 3.... And then pump on my way home? Just so worried about my supply.
What is your ladies schedule of pumping at work and how has your supply been affected?
ETA: my shifts are also going to very depending on the day.
- 5:00 Mom wakes, showers, makeup, hair.
- 5:00 During this time dad is sleeping but "on call" should LO wake.
- 6:00 Mom eats, makes her lunch, puts bottles in bottle bag (made the night before), and other small tasks around the house.
- 6:20 Dad wakes up, showers, gets dressed.
- 6:20 Mom is in charge of baby while he gets ready.
- 6:30 LO wakes (naturally...like clockwork - it's crazy convenient), I change her and feed her, which I love so that I get to spend some time with her in the morning.
- 6:50 Mom leaves for work. Dad finishes feeding, if necessary, finishes getting her ready.
- 7:30 Dad takes LO to daycare (mom picks up at the end of the day)
- Wash, rinse, repeat!
I still can't get over how short the evenings are!!
4:45 I do yoga
5:30 baby and daddy wake; I wash pumping equipment and prep bottles for the sitter
5:40 I feed the baby and eat a smoothie; read a book to baby if time permits
6:10ish shower and get ready
6:30 I dated baby in a onesie
6:45 daddy leaves and takes baby to sitter
7:15 I leave the housE
@slr1229 I teach & need to leave the house by 630 at the latest but like to leave by 615 normally.
LO eats between 3-4am (she's still waking at 12,3-4 if she goes to bed around 830ish- some things to think about: I am so exhausted that I don't do a dream feed bc I'm usually in bed by 930 at the latest. So I think that's part of the midnight feed. Also, daycare gives her 4 oz bottles every 3 hours, while I EBF every 2 at home... Not sure if that effects her either)
Anyways. I am up between 430-5 to eat while I pump my opposite side (see further down), do my bible study, pack my bags (pumping supplies I washed last night) & her bottles/bags. Then I do hair/makeup (I shower at night). During this time, DH is on paci duty, in case she wakes he reinserts paci to calm her.
By 6ish I get her up, changed & dressed, I feed her & then we're out the door. DH doesn't need to be up until 715. If I'm late or extra tired/sick feeling, he does get up to help.
Key is planning & flexibility.
Now, @momtobe613, my LO only eats off one side. To build my stash for the day time, I only feed off of one side all night. (So tonight from 830-430, I only feed her off my right side). Then when I pump at 430am, I get about 3oz. I then feed her at 6am. My pumping schedule rotates at school (my planning period is different everyday), but I try to pump by 10am, around 1130am, & 230pm. They're more spread out & the first week hurt a little, but my body is getting used to its schedule & producing enough at those rough times. Your body does learn to adjust to certain times you set. & @dancegurl1118 as long as you wake up & BF during the day & consistently pump at night at work, it should level out. & @NH627 those 3 days off, I would pump the "other side" just before or after she eats (I do every other feeding (so every 4 hours I pump) on weekends, to keep the double idea going. I've heard you get better results with double.
Sorry for the ramble. Hope something helps! I've been blessed with some amazing coworkers who have stepped up to cover, support, & just offer advise about being a working/BFing mom!
Totally know about that night shift life. I just got a day shift for when I go back. Thanks for your support. Hopefully things will transition smoothly for both of us and all the other working mommas.
@krystleshel
Thanks for letting me know your schedule. Hoping body adjusts like you said! Can't imagine being a leaking ER nurse... That won't be a good sight for anyone.
Good luck on your first shifts back. I'm so nervous too. I tried on my pre baby scrubs yesterday and I clearly need to get new scrubs for my newfound fat postpartum body. So nervous about having to take care of people while worrying about my Lo especially while we're having the bottle standoff. Hope I can remember how to be a nurse too!!
You're going to do great!!! Let us know how it goes!
How did it go??
I'm so glad I started back on a Wednesday to give both of us a short first week.
My daycare lady keeps telling me that my lo does great all day and she's so happy but by the time I get her she's sleepy and then we get home and feed her and then it's witching hour. All she wants to do is nurse. I understand so basically I get home, she cries while I put her down so I can change etc.then I feed her, then I put her down and she cries while I quickly heat and eat food and then nurse her again and then she falls asleep on me and cries of I try to put her down, then she goes to bed and I quickly follow to maximize my sleep. It's exhausting. I should note, hubby works 4-12 so it's just me and lo at the end of the day.
And I love love love one of the daycare ladies. She is on it. They have 4 babies per teacher and she still knows every detail of LO'S day without looking at her paper. She also expects a full briefing at drop off, which makes me feel like LO really is getting great care. It is such a relief. The other ladies are great, but she is just a whole different level.