@slr1229 I won't get home until 8pm at the earliest so hopefully she will still be up and in her jammies, ready for a feed and for me to put her to bed. Then maybe I'll eat dinner...
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.
We start the nighttime routine at 6:30/7. She usually wakes for the day 12 hours later, which works well for the morning routine. I leave work at 4:30 and pick up kids at 5. It's not a lot of time before bed, but infants and toddlers usually sleep 10-12 hours at night. And by usually I mean every kid is different.
We also start the routine around 6:30/7:00. DH picks the babies up around 5:00, and I get home anywhere between 5:00-6:00. I do have more flexible mornings, though, so I usually get a good 2 hours to hang out with them in the morning. I usually drop them off around 9:30.
Anyone find their performance to be lacking at work?
I guess I just feel distracted/less focused/less sharp/less on top of things/less motivated...Does this get better, or am I doomed to be not as good at my job forever? Tips?
Anyone find their performance to be lacking at work?
I guess I just feel distracted/less focused/less sharp/less on top of things/less motivated...Does this get better, or am I doomed to be not as good at my job forever? Tips?
It will get better. It takes a while, but when everyone is sleeping more and you have a good schedule, it will be better. At least for me. Some women never return 100% mentally and sometimes leave work to become a SAHM. How much is lack of sleep and how much is wanting to be around LO 24/7?
Day 2 of full time daycare and I just got a call LO has a rash. DH is taking her to the pedi since I have to teach a night class. I'm pretty sure she got it from DS since he has a cold but still. I only have 8 hours of PTO. I can't burn it in the first 3 days!
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.
So glad I'm not the only one! Though I'm a little different in that DH watches LO a couple days a week. But I'm still fighting off the mom guilt for the lack of tears.
Geez, I have a late night partier. Until this week, LO has been going down between 10-10:30, now we're able to get him down at 9, which I think is perfect. I don't feel like he's going to bed as soon as I get home, but i still have a little time to get things done after he's asleep.
As far as job performance... I actually got off to a great start - super motivated and refreshed after the break. But that's starting to wane as all the old irritations return. Plus there are those days (like today) where I am just tired to the core. You know, where you feel like you could lean against a wall and fall asleep.
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)
My LO doesn't seem quite ready for a consistent earlier bedtime or wake up time which makes work planning a little harder. 3 year old goes to bed at 7:45. Sometimes LO nurses and is in bed by 8:30, sometimes its closer to 10. He wakes between 5:45 and 7:00. I am hoping we can get him on an 8pm to 6am schedule soon but right now he doesn't respond to coaxing, he's just up and happy. Both my kids seems to sleep closer to 10 hours a night then 12, but they seem well rested.
I posted this on the nighttime thread too but am going to here also. Anyone else's LOs night feelings increase after they went back to work? I'm on week 3 of work & this week LO has started to wake every 2 hours again. She's 15 weeks but was 3 weeks early so not sure if this is related to my being gone during the day, a leap, or growth spurt. Her schedule is all messed up too & I have to put her down for the night at 6 or 7 rather than 730/830 like normal because she is so fussy. I'm not going to be able to do this every two hour & work thing. She was waking generally at 2:30 & 5:30. Oh my I'm so tired.
I posted this on the nighttime thread too but am going to here also. Anyone else's LOs night feelings increase after they went back to work? I'm on week 3 of work & this week LO has started to wake every 2 hours again. She's 15 weeks but was 3 weeks early so not sure if this is related to my being gone during the day, a leap, or growth spurt. Her schedule is all messed up too & I have to put her down for the night at 6 or 7 rather than 730/830 like normal because she is so fussy. I'm not going to be able to do this every two hour & work thing. She was waking generally at 2:30 & 5:30. Oh my I'm so tired.
I've read this is normal when moms go back to work. Some will eat the minimum during the day and feed a lot at home once Mom is back.
Im just hoping it doesn't last too long. I'm really struggling here & only working 30 hours right now. Work told me I had to be back at 40 by Oct 1. I have an autoimmune disease that is complicating things. If I don't get enough sleep my body fatigues so easily, my muscle weakness & pain increases, not to mention brain fog! It's so hard not knowing if I'll be able to keep my job if I can't work 40 hours. My gut tells me it's too much for me. I don't want to miss even more of LOs life because I'm too fatigued to interact with her after work. As it is my DH has to run all the errands, grocery shop, etc. I know my doctor will tell me to listen to my body but doing that doesn't pay the bills or provide health insurance. One day at a time.
@ciennah99 I am so sorry you are struggling! Being a mom is hard when you are100% I cannot imagine having an autoimmune disease. Hang in there and I hope you find a solution.... Is there any part time gig that you could keep health insurance ?
@klkonwi I've been looking but there's just not much out there part time unless I take like a $10/hour pay cut & one that I'm way overqualified for. There are some prn jobs but never sure how many hours you'd get there or what kind of situation you are walking into. I'm still hoping my boss will let me go part time. I'm not going to ask again til we are closer to October. Thanks for the support!
Just bought all my ingredients for a lactation smoothie every day before work. I know my supply will decrease between the wonky hours and my clogged ducts so I need to boost this crap up now. I'm afraid I'll become depressed going back to work if my supply goes to shit and I can't breastfeed anymore. And then my relationship will suffer due to my frustration and everything will crumble. I've put so much of my mind, body and soul into breastfeeding and I feel so heavily invested in it that I will be absolutely destroyed if it fails when I go to work. It absolutely is so illogical but my #1 priority in life right now is breastfeeding. How insane is that? I don't know how I got into this mind fuck.
So..going to pump these bad boys up to try and spear head that issue.
Don't mind my rambling I'm clearly in panic mode about work.
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.
@dancegurl1118 may I remind you that you have 600 oz frozen ?! Girl you need to take a deep breath. I am in the same boat as you but we can make it through!!!!!!
@ciennah99 I've been back at work 5 weeks. LO at 8weeks old was sleeping 6-7 hours at night, after starting daycare, she wakes up every 2-4. At first it was every 2 (almost on the dot). It varies now. & is getting longer. Daycare gives her 4oz every 3 hours, so I'm wondering if you pumped and fed a bottle before bed if it would extend her sleeping some? Good luck! It does *slowly* get better. Sleep when you can. I nap with LO after work some days & let DH handle other things. Still bonding.
@dancegurl1118 my started to tank on week 3. Luckily I'm surrounded by coworkers who are BFing advocates. I get a fresh batch of lactation cookies weekly now (I bought her supplies). So lucky. I'm still building on my supply, but I think my 2 cups of coffee (over 8 hours) is hurting it some. Water water water. Ugh. I've been drinking Breakfast Essentials smoothies (they come in packets & you mix with milk & ice & whatever else) to keep up my vitamins & such. I did add oatmeal when I had some & may try to add some Brewers yeast & flax seed! Keeps me full & is easy! Good luck. Pumping at work is a necessary evil.
@ciennah99 I've been back at work 5 weeks. LO at 8weeks old was sleeping 6-7 hours at night, after starting daycare, she wakes up every 2-4. At first it was every 2 (almost on the dot). It varies now. & is getting longer. Daycare gives her 4oz every 3 hours, so I'm wondering if you pumped and fed a bottle before bed if it would extend her sleeping some? Good luck! It does *slowly* get better. Sleep when you can. I nap with LO after work some days & let DH handle other things. Still bonding.
@dancegurl1118 my started to tank on week 3. Luckily I'm surrounded by coworkers who are BFing advocates. I get a fresh batch of lactation cookies weekly now (I bought her supplies). So lucky. I'm still building on my supply, but I think my 2 cups of coffee (over 8 hours) is hurting it some. Water water water. Ugh. I've been drinking Breakfast Essentials smoothies (they come in packets & you mix with milk & ice & whatever else) to keep up my vitamins & such. I did add oatmeal when I had some & may try to add some Brewers yeast & flax seed! Keeps me full & is easy! Good luck. Pumping at work is a necessary evil.
If you have amazon prime you can get bulk flax plus oatmeal (think the brand is nature's path or something) at 6 boxes (48 servings) for $15. It's delicious and I'd probably eat it even if oatmeal and flax wouldn't help my supply! Since I'm off dairy I make it with light vanilla almond milk (nuts are also good for supply). Highly recommend!
I go back to work monday...not excited to leave lo, or go to the stupid office, or have to pump every 3 hours (even though we have an awesome lactation room on my floor...perks of working for a fortune 500 company). On the bright side, breastfeeding has now caused me to lose 3lbs more than I gained during the pregnancy so at least my clothes fit again.
I'm due to go back THIS TUESDAY!!! ( que dramatic music: don don dooooon) I don't know how I'll make it at work which will be full time 8am - 7pm. I don't want to leave her. I know I'm not the only one but I feel like no one can take care of her as good as my boyfriend and I can. Ugh. Just thinking about it (
Definitely not excited to be here...thank god DH does daycare drop off bc I would have lost it there...but at least the private pumping stalls in the mother's room down the hall are pretty sweet...
I cried today talking to my husband about it. He said "it's probably better that I'm dropping her off on her first day, you'll be a mess". I was like um? How about saying goodbye to her and leaving for work? You don't think I'll be sobbing all the way to work? Thinking about how I'm all she knows (she barely spends time with dad alone, I'm a smotherer) and all of the sudden she'll be with someone else all day?
I know you guys feel the same way but I feel like I'm spiraling and can't control my sadness. My OB has reiterated a hundred times to me that it's normal to spend this week crying on the couch, but that the world does keep spinning (she really tried to hammer it home at my yearly today). But I am just devastated to be away from her for an hour, let alone 12-24 hours 3 days a week.
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 cried today talking to my husband about it. He said "it's probably better that I'm dropping her off on her first day, you'll be a mess". I was like um? How about saying goodbye to her and leaving for work? You don't think I'll be sobbing all the way to work? Thinking about how I'm all she knows (she barely spends time with dad alone, I'm a smotherer) and all of the sudden she'll be with someone else all day?
I know you guys feel the same way but I feel like I'm spiraling and can't control my sadness. My OB has reiterated a hundred times to me that it's normal to spend this week crying on the couch, but that the world does keep spinning (she really tried to hammer it home at my yearly today). But I am just devastated to be away from her for an hour.
I feel like we are in the same boat. I went to work to discuss my schedule with my boss and I left LO with my mom for an hour. I felt like I was gone for days!!
Every time I talk about going back to work I cry. I can't help it. It makes my heart hurt!! It doesn't help that sometimes I will work till 11 and even sometimes overnight. How will he sleep without me?
This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I feel like a crazy person.
2 weeks left. It's going to be the shortest 2 weeks of my life.
@dancegurl1118@rrcameron21 You ladies will do fine! My DH did the first day drop off and it helped SOOOO much. For me, anyway. By the end of the first day, I couldn't get there fast enough. I felt like I was going to have to get out and physically move traffic to get to my baby!
I hated the first few days. The next few were hard. And after a week and definitely two weeks in it felt just fine (I still miss her like crazy but I don't worry about her). Most of all it's helped to get to know the ladies who care for the babies in her room. They truly love her and I think do a wonderful job! You'll adjust but give it time and don't second guess yourself if things don't seem perfect on day 1. Everyone is getting to know each other's routines.
@swaugh14 thank you for that! I had no idea it would be this hard and I haven't even gone back to work yet. I think I need to just relax and enjoy my last couple weeks of maternity leave! I'm also fortunate to be 10 minutes away from him so I can see him on my lunch if I need to.
@swaugh14 thank you for the encouragement! I know the world won't fall off it's axis, yet my whole life has been so changed and I have SO MANY FEELS I didn't have before.
I need to be 100% present for my patients to ensure the health and wellbeing of them as well as their babies, and I'm just nervous that I will be super preoccupied missing LO.
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.
If you're on a busy schedule, trust me the day will FLY by & you won't have time to worry. I was a mess my first few days. & I had a tough day on week 3 & mentioned it to a coworker & she said, "I know, I felt horrible when I had to leave mine, like someone else was raising her." Ugh.... I almost cried in the hallway. There are days (especially Monday's since I'm a teacher) where I am still (5 weeks into daycare) so upset leaving her in the mornings & I race to the daycare everyday even if I'm dead tired. Gosh I love this little lady.
*editted to add: it does help to get to know workers. I feel SO much better knowing about the ladies & hearing stories about LO when I pick her up!
I was worried on my first day yesterday but when i got to pick up one of her teachers was snuggling her in the glider while she slept...my biggest worry was that she wouldn't nap since she usually only does that on top of me and I figured the teachers wouldn't have time for that but they made time. She was super docile last night instead of screaming too for some reason which was nice. Though she did her MOTN wake at 230 instead of the normal 4 for some reason. DH does drop off which I am very thankful for.
Our moms are watching LO and I did ok dropping him off with MIL yesterday and got through work. MIL cooked and we ate there. He was super fussy and all I could think was that I'm only going to get him during fussy time. Then MIL kept going on about how he didn't cry all day so I felt like he was crying only with me. Cried off and on, then went in the bathroom and cried 30 more minutes and the 15 minutes home. I was also upset because her and FIL wouldn't get away from him so I could have time with him. Really don't like this at all. I want to stay at home with my baby!
Starting to get stressed out about going back Monday. I work in corporate retail and learned my Buyer got promoted and 2 of our team members got moved to new offices...therefore I'm coming back to an entire new buying team. It really sucks having to adjust to working Mom life and now I have major changes at work. No wonder they promoted me!
Our moms are watching LO and I did ok dropping him off with MIL yesterday and got through work. MIL cooked and we ate there. He was super fussy and all I could think was that I'm only going to get him during fussy time. Then MIL kept going on about how he didn't cry all day so I felt like he was crying only with me. Cried off and on, then went in the bathroom and cried 30 more minutes and the 15 minutes home. I was also upset because her and FIL wouldn't get away from him so I could have time with him. Really don't like this at all. I want to stay at home with my baby!
Yes, that's been SO hard for me!! Everyone that watches LO (daycare and DH) is always raving about how mellow and easy he is. So, then when I get him alone on an evening or weekend and he's fussy... sure enough I start doubting myself and feeling inferior. Being a mom is such a friggin' mindf*$k.
And while I'm happy that LO seems to be comfortable at daycare - I was totally taken aback to arrive one day and find him gazing lovingly into the eyes of some other woman, and holding onto her collar like he didn't want to let go (even though that's silly, he's a baby and grabs at everything). :-S
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)
Day 1 of work today. I have to confess I loved it. My job is great and my boss is super great. When I went to pick LO up from daycare, she had just woken up and her teacher was making her a bottle. Since it was already warmed up, I stayed and gave it to her and chatted with the teachers. It was nice getting to know them a little better. And it only took 1 *large* coffee to get through it
Re: Working Mom Check In - Maternity Leaves Ending?
I guess I just feel distracted/less focused/less sharp/less on top of things/less motivated...Does this get better, or am I doomed to be not as good at my job forever? Tips?
Anyone else's LOs night feelings increase after they went back to work? I'm on week 3 of work & this week LO has started to wake every 2 hours again. She's 15 weeks but was 3 weeks early so not sure if this is related to my being gone during the day, a leap, or growth spurt. Her schedule is all messed up too & I have to put her down for the night at 6 or 7 rather than 730/830 like normal because she is so fussy. I'm not going to be able to do this every two hour & work thing. She was waking generally at 2:30 & 5:30. Oh my I'm so tired.
Now I feel guilty that I care less about work than I did pre-baby...
So..going to pump these bad boys up to try and spear head that issue.
Don't mind my rambling I'm clearly in panic mode about work.
@dancegurl1118 my started to tank on week 3. Luckily I'm surrounded by coworkers who are BFing advocates. I get a fresh batch of lactation cookies weekly now (I bought her supplies). So lucky. I'm still building on my supply, but I think my 2 cups of coffee (over 8 hours) is hurting it some. Water water water. Ugh. I've been drinking Breakfast Essentials smoothies (they come in packets & you mix with milk & ice & whatever else) to keep up my vitamins & such. I did add oatmeal when I had some & may try to add some Brewers yeast & flax seed! Keeps me full & is easy! Good luck. Pumping at work is a necessary evil.
I go back to work monday...not excited to leave lo, or go to the stupid office, or have to pump every 3 hours (even though we have an awesome lactation room on my floor...perks of working for a fortune 500 company). On the bright side, breastfeeding has now caused me to lose 3lbs more than I gained during the pregnancy so at least my clothes fit again.
I know you guys feel the same way but I feel like I'm spiraling and can't control my sadness. My OB has reiterated a hundred times to me that it's normal to spend this week crying on the couch, but that the world does keep spinning (she really tried to hammer it home at my yearly today). But I am just devastated to be away from her for an hour, let alone 12-24 hours 3 days a week.
Every time I talk about going back to work I cry. I can't help it. It makes my heart hurt!! It doesn't help that sometimes I will work till 11 and even sometimes overnight. How will he sleep without me?
This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I feel like a crazy person.
2 weeks left. It's going to be the shortest 2 weeks of my life.
I hated the first few days. The next few were hard. And after a week and definitely two weeks in it felt just fine (I still miss her like crazy but I don't worry about her). Most of all it's helped to get to know the ladies who care for the babies in her room. They truly love her and I think do a wonderful job! You'll adjust but give it time and don't second guess yourself if things don't seem perfect on day 1. Everyone is getting to know each other's routines.
I need to be 100% present for my patients to ensure the health and wellbeing of them as well as their babies, and I'm just nervous that I will be super preoccupied missing LO.
There are days (especially Monday's since I'm a teacher) where I am still (5 weeks into daycare) so upset leaving her in the mornings & I race to the daycare everyday even if I'm dead tired. Gosh I love this little lady.
*editted to add: it does help to get to know workers. I feel SO much better knowing about the ladies & hearing stories about LO when I pick her up!