help!How to take care of a newbornbabay

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 4, 2004

Most daycare programs, at least in the US, accept babies as young as 6 weeks. However, I really really recommend, especially if you're going to be breastfeeding, that you put off the program, at least for a semester.

Good luck!

Kerry

hi,girls!The next semester,I think I can transfer to nursing program successfully but I am going to have a baby in this July!!! Many people persuade me to give up one year and re-apply the next fall.But,I really hate to leave shcool!Since my husbund is going to be student in Mcgill and there's no anyone else come to help us out.I really do not know if I should give up this chance and wait a year.(in fact,there will be some probability of refusing if I apply the next year,much more than this year,but now I have no time to explain)
I wonder how you girls in my situation solve this problem.Is there any daycare accept new born baby ? Privite or public are both ok.I am in Montreal.Thanks a lot!!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Mar 4, 2004

Can you get the first half of your program finished before you have the baby? If so, why not stay home, finish your ADN at Excelsior and be a mother to your baby too?

It sounds corny, but it makes a difference to the baby that the one who cares for it is a parent. It is better for the baby and the family. Sorry to be so old fashioned.

Regretting having had to give my infant to someone else to care for so I could work and support my student husband......30 years ago.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Mar 4, 2004

Agree with the above posts... you may forever regret missing out on the special time of truly bonding with your infant. This time passes all to quickly... infancy flies by, and is so very important to the entire future realtionship of mother and child. :)

bmw804 · Mar 4, 2004

I would agree to possibly take a semester off. I had my first child during the middle of the school term. I was able to get a couple of incompletes to make up the work, but it was very very hard. My body was exhausted, and I just wanted to spend time with the baby. The last thing on my mind was school work. The following semester was even harder trying to get adjusted with school and the baby.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2004

As one who will be a nurse one day and a mother of two adult children, your hormones are going to be readjusting, your moods are going to be swinging and sleep will be your strongest desire. Between your body readjusting, and getting used to the responsibilities and schedule demands of another little human being who doesn't know the difference between day and night, starting the nursing program might be just a bit much for you, not to mention your baby. Babies tend to reflect the stress levels of the mothers in the form of colic and fussiness. Having a fussy colicky baby isn't pretty. It's pretty frazzling. This is the one time in your life that you are going to want to reduce your stress level from external sources as much as you can.

I'm a first semester ADN student. Adjusting to the nursing program has been THE major source of stress in my life, not to mention my number one focus. Many, if not most, first semester students would agree with that I believe. Nursing school is demanding. Even when you're not actively studying, your thinking about it even in your sleeping hours. Just giving you a perspective.

hock1 · Mar 4, 2004

hi,girls!The next semester,I think I can transfer to nursing program successfully but I am going to have a baby in this July!!! Many people persuade me to give up one year and re-apply the next fall.But,I really hate to leave shcool!Since my husbund is going to be student in Mcgill and there's no anyone else come to help us out.I really do not know if I should give up this chance and wait a year.(in fact,there will be some probability of refusing if I apply the next year,much more than this year,but now I have no time to explain)
It's all about what you and hubby can handle. I left my six week old at a daycare because my husband and I had no choice. With our other children I had the opportunity to stay home from the start. Twelve years later my daycare baby turned out just fine. It was my hubby and myself that were torn up inside over it. I've seen two successful nursing students give birth in the middle of the year and not miss a beat. I've also seen one who said it was just too much to handle and planned to stay out for a bit. So follow your gut. If ya want it bad enough it will happen...just maybe later then sooner. Good luck and congrats!

TaraSC · Mar 4, 2004

If nursing school is something that you really want to do now and have the opportunity, go for it. Don't feel like the only time you have to bond with your baby is when it is an infant. I was a single mom when I gave birth to my son and only had six weeks off before returning to work full time in active duty Air Force. The daycare took babies beginning at 6 weeks of age. The situation wasn't ideal, but I managed it because I needed to provide for my son and myself. My son is 5 now and we are like best friends. As long as you can find a good daycare, have the funds, determination and support, you will do fine and prosper.

dramaluvr · Mar 4, 2004

My girlfriend is graduating this May from a nursing program and had a brand new baby the Christmas of her first semester in nursing school. She had that Christmas break off school and then continued. She said if she would have taken a semester off she never would have gone back - too hard. I see your dilemna. I have two chlidren of my own, my youngest just turned one and day care is a problem. Some schools have on site day care programs for students so you should look into that. Otherwise it really is up to you. Everyone will have a different opinion. You are still able to bond with your child, but in the long run it is better to get schooling out of the way before the kids know what is going on.

maire, ASN, RN · Mar 4, 2004

You really have to do what YOU FEEL is right for YOU. I took a semester off when I had my son, and I don't regret it one bit. It was what was best for us.

materna · Mar 4, 2004

Most of you persuade me to take a semester off before going to nursing program.In fact, I do want to take one semester off to take care my daugther,but in monteal here, the two english college which have nursing program only accept student at Autumn every year, so if I give up this chance,at least I should take one year off----I think it's too long for me.Time is precious.

However,I have found a new solution.My academic adviser advised me to trasfer to Social Science the next semester, study for a year before appying to nursing program.During this year, I can take general studies courses such as englsih,french,humanities which is available to all the programs. Thus I can only take 12 hours one weeke to finish 4 courses with one of them on Saturday.So I can take almost 3 days off plus the weekend.In this way,my husband and I can take care of the baby in turn! Is this a good way?

I really don't konw what will happen after the baby born.But I will try because I love school.

It better to find a daycare which accept 6 week baby, I think, If they can take care of the baby 2 days(at most) a week, I will be released a little.Because I am afraid my husband do not know how to take care of her.

But how to find such daycare? I will be very appreciated if anyone of you can offer me information about such daycare.I am near Metro lasalle.

mitchsmom · Mar 5, 2004

Man, I have tried twice to post a response and I keep messing it up somehow...

Anyway, whether to take time off or not is ultimately up to you. Personally, I'd take time off if possible.

Here is one link about finding a good daycare:

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babychildcare/5924.html

Reading your second post made me think of more advice (unsolicited, I know, forgive me :)... I would consider taking your partner to a baby care or parenting class. It could sort of be your last "date nights" before the baby comes, and he would learn what he needs to know and it would make you feel more at ease with him having his turn with the baby. I would not set up the presidence of caring for the baby all the time or you will end up with more than your fair share of the work (believe me, I know... I'm still there). He may need to learn a few things, but if he's a regular human being he is capable of helping with the baby. Call your labor and delivery unit at the hospital and ask if they know where you can take such a class. If you can't take a class, there are many books out to help. I like The Baby Book by Dr. Sears: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0316778001/qid=1078489307//ref=pd_ka_1/102-3709269-3744152?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

I don't like the "What to Expect" series because they have negative, inaccurate breastfeeding information.

Some other websites:

http://www.askdrsears.com (the Fathering pages here: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/T110100.asp)

http://www.parentsplace.com (I used to post on their "Expecting Clubs" boards a lot when I was pregnant!...they are here: http://www.parentsplace.com/messageboards)

http://lalecheleague.org/

Best wishes and good luck in your baby preparations and birth!