My husband works third shift (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) and I'll be going back to working days (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) starting April 2. We shifted our schedules this way so we could avoid needing daycare. However, we're realizing that my husband may not get much, if any, sleep during the day and, at night, I won't be home until 5:30 - he'd only be able to count on about 4 hours of sleep before he'd have to get up and get ready for work. My parents have passed away and I have no other family on my side. My husband's dad and step-mom live locally, but they both have jobs and can't help out with daycare during the week. His mom and step-dad, and the rest of his side of the family, lives out of state.
Has anyone else been in this situation? How did you and your spouse/partner handle it? Did you end up having to use daycare after all?
2007-03-28 02:52:17 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
We have local family that also works. We had no choice but to put our kid in daycare 2.5 days a week. It's sad and they get sick a lot but it's been great as far as social skills. She is 2 and talks great and is able to interact well with kids. It's expensive as hell but if you can't really afford it they have programs by state to help pay. When you have no choice you have no choice. you could try just a couple days so that your husband could get some sleep a couple days and see how that works. It sucks but there aren't many options. Good Luck
2007-03-28 02:59:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are both working full time during the week, then it would be very difficult and not good for your health.
We are able to juggle it with minimal assistance because I work part time nights and some of these are weekend shifts so my husband is at home.
We found it easier when we only had one child, now we have 2 children we use some childcare. A lot of childcare facilities offer half days which are cheaper and give you the opportunity to have some sleep.
Once your baby gets older their sleeping pattern will get more predictable. My son slept for 2 hours in the middle of the day from 1 -3 years, which was an opportunity for some sleep.
goodluck with your juggling.
2007-03-28 03:08:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having a newborn is not easy, I can tell it. My baby girl is now 4, and, thanks God, that stage was over pretty soon. One day I felt as if I were in a permanent disco party! I couldn't sleep at all! And the day she finally slept the whole night, I was worried, because I thought that maybe something wrong happened. Yes, I know what you're suffering right now, but, don't worry, just wait a little bit, and it would get better. By the time they reach 5 months old, they usually sleep thru the whole night, what you should do is to put her/him to sleep at the same time every single night. If the baby cries for the first three months, pamper her/him. Once this time is over, let the baby cry (I know it is not easy), this way the baby get use to a regular sleep cycle. I did it because my pediatrician told me to do so, and it worked for me. Also, avoid feeding her/him during night after the first three months. This is all the help I can give you. Good luck, welcome to parenthood and God bless u.
2007-03-28 03:07:35 · answer #3 · answered by candywhiteandrew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in the same situation, when my kids were born. Your husband can cat Nap while the baby sleeps, then when you get home he can actually sleep until time to go to work.
Another option is hire someone to come into your home and watch the child for a few hours during the day that way he can sleep.
Daycare isn't that bad, it gives your child the opportunity to interact with other people and it jump starts them on making friends, especially if they have grown up together
2007-03-28 03:00:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can try and nap during the day when the baby sleeps. And then when you get home he can sleep until about 10. It will take him a while I am sure to get used to that - but his body will adjust.
Or you could do a half day care so he could come home and sleep in the morning. Take the baby in at 8 and your husband can pick up at 12. Then your husband gets at least 4 hours in the morning - then can nap again in the afternoon when the baby goes down.
Good luck to you!
2007-03-28 03:11:48 · answer #5 · answered by charlie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, how old is your baby? I know with my husband and I, we tried the whole night and day thing and it worked out pretty good. He works during the day from 7-5 and I go to school from 6-10. My baby is now 2 months and he has a pretty good sleeping pattern and my 1 and a half year old takes his naps and go to bed at night and we have no problems. The only problem we ahd is my husband's job switched him to night shift.
2007-03-28 03:12:22 · answer #6 · answered by JCaton 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it doesnt last to long.. generally only a few weeks then the baby sleeps the whole night.. or near it..
just hang in there it will end soon..
get a baby monitor... put it in your room and just hang in there...
we would sometimes after the 3rd day ask a grandmother to watch the baby for about 5 or 6 hours and sleep on the weekends.... or take a 1/2 day off say on wed... and sleep while somone else watched the baby... worked pretty well
2007-03-28 02:58:53 · answer #7 · answered by Larry M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That sounds tough..Anyone in the neighborhood not working and is trustworthy? If the schedule doesn't work out, you may need to find a sitter to help out, or put the baby in daycare. But be sure to research plenty on it. Daycares aren't all bad. I worked in one. Christian-based environment.
2007-03-28 02:57:17 · answer #8 · answered by Endellion 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is very common. Welcome to parenthood.
2007-03-28 02:56:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋