School and a baby

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2015

So you won't be working, and the program is online? I guess I don't see what the concern is. If you are not working, then you should have abundant time to work on your assignments. You may need childcare for the community health portion of it, though, which usually requires doing something out in the community.

sunshinesusu · Jan 31, 2015

Hi,

Thanks for your response, I think its my lack of experience with kids that makes me feel nervous and hearing stories of colicky babies and the difficulties of postpartum. It also doesn't help my anxiety when I am told that I will not sleep for the first few months. But you are right, not having to attend class in person should help with scheduling my time appropriately.

AspiringNurseMW · Jan 31, 2015

Hi,
Thanks for your response, I think its my lack of experience with kids that makes me feel nervous and hearing stories of colicky babies and the difficulties of postpartum. It also doesn't help my anxiety when I am told that I will not sleep for the first few months. But you are right, not having to attend class in person should help with scheduling my time appropriately.

I think you'll be fine. Newborns actually sleep quite a bit. Maybe not on your ideal schedule,but they do sleep alot. I actually feel that Newborns are quite boring the first few months, feed, eat, sleep. when they get mobile is when they require more attention. If you're willing to consider it and don't have any risks factors, look into co-sleeping. Seriously, I slept less during my last trimester from having to get up to pee than during post partum months.

Really your stress sounds more 1st time mom related. The first few weeks takes some adjusting for some, but I don't think fitting in online school should be much of an issue.

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2015

When my oldest two were young, I worked at home doing editing/proofreading on the computer. My newborn daughter took all her naps on my lap while I worked on the computer. I kept a pillow in my lap, and she would breastfeed on my lap while I typed.

Also, you might consider cosleeping (or having your crib as a sidecar), at least for the first several months. I coslept with all of my kids and NEVER had sleep deprivation, because I could just roll over and latch them on when they would wake up to breastfeed. (ha, just noticed aspiringCNM suggested that as well!)

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Jan 31, 2015

I had both my kids while I was in CPM school. It's hard... babies require a tremendous amount of work, and the sleep deprivation can make it hard to keep up with everything. However, it is completely, 100% doable. You just have to be flexible and creative, and make sure you take advantage of all the help/support you have.

As an aside, I breastfed my kids for almost 3 years each. :)

AspiringNurseMW · Feb 1, 2015

NEVER had sleep deprivation, because I could just roll over and latch them on when they would wake up to breastfeed. (ha, just noticed aspiringCNM suggested that as well!)

Totally! I joke that the reason I Co sleep is mainly out of selfishness and laziness. You want me to GET UP to feed you multiple times in the middle of the night. So not happening. I love love love rolling over, latching her on, and going back to sleep. I don't even wait for her to be done. Lol. Best sleep ever.

jtpisces · Feb 1, 2015

You're not the only one! Be positive and be happy. I'm a mother of 2 kids. I started nursing school when my kids were 6 mo and 1.5 yr.

It was hard but now I'm in the third yr. I have no one help me. I put them in day care and have to pay for long hours. I'm taking the loan and working for 2 days. I'm doing fine and I'll be def. fine. It's hard but it's ok. I see other people who are in school and have to work at night 5-6 days a week.

Everyone has their own responsibility. You've gotta find how to manage your life. I think having kids is making me to work harder. It is like a special spiritual. They're my inspiration.

Good luck!

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Feb 1, 2015

Totally! I joke that the reason I Co sleep is mainly out of selfishness and laziness. You want me to GET UP to feed you multiple times in the middle of the night. So not happening. I love love love rolling over, latching her on, and going back to sleep. I don't even wait for her to be done. Lol. Best sleep ever.

haha, yes that is why I coslept too! But lordy, i was still sleep deprived for those first few months.

sunshinesusu · Jan 8, 2016

Thanks for all the responses, almost a year later and want to update for anyone who might be in the same situation. It was hard, my baby had colic and reflux for the first five months. It was exhausting, she never slept and still doesn't sleep, for example I only got 4 hours of sleep last night. I am still in school almost done hopefully by this month. The only advice I would give is if you have support then school shouldn't be difficult, if you are on your own then it will be challenging.

autonomyforall · Jan 9, 2016

I would say go for it while your baby is little. They're much more easy to work around then, and if you wear your baby, s/he can nurse on demand, get all the benefits of skin to skin, get all the benefits of being held upright without over stimulation, and your hands will be free. Just make sure you follow safe guidelines for baby wearing and it will be great. I also highly recommend co sleeping. There are some great facebook groups out there if you're interested. Some of my favorite groups and pages are: Evolutionary parenting, attachment parenting at work, peaceful parenting, HITNA, saving our sons, whole network, and COSLEEPING. Also, Kelly Mom was a great resource for me and I highly recommend it. Congratulations on your baby!

sunshinesusu · Jan 9, 2016

I am having difficulty getting cosleeping to work for us, baby just wants to nurse constantly. She isn't sleeping, gosh I am so sleep deprived. I had no idea that sleep would be the biggest issue when having a baby. Any suggestions?