single mom working Night shift after having newborn?

JessicaDanielle · Dec 18, 2014

It was easier for me to break my days up. I didn't sleep often during the day with a baby. My son is 16 months and I still can't work more than 2 nights in a row. Although I have a husband, he works during the day so I usually sleep during nap time which only gets me a couple hours a day. By my second night I'm usually exhausted and wouldn't be able to do it again for a third.

If you have child care during the day and can devote the time to sleep, I would recommend working three in a row to get it over with.

believer121212 · Dec 18, 2014

Hello, Congrats in advance:) though your post did not indicate where you live, but if you live in a country like mine, you don't have to go back to work after your Mat leave you can apply for EI and spend time at home with your little blessing while you still get paid since you have been working before the arrival of the baby. All still depend on where you live. I will say do your research and see what how best you can go about it. Hope this helps.

Fiona59 · Dec 18, 2014

Hello, Congrats in advance:) though your post did not indicate where you live, but if you live in a country like mine, you don't have to go back to work after your Mat leave you can apply for EI and spend time at home with your little blessing while you still get paid since you have been working before the arrival of the baby. All still depend on where you live. I will say do your research and see what how best you can go about it. Hope this helps.

The OP is an American and clearly states she gets 12 (yes, 12) whole weeks of mat leave.

America doesn't have one year mat leave like us up her in the Great White North.

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2014

Congrats on the baby! :) I've not had to do it but I've heard friends say the hardest parts about working nights with a newborn is having to find someone to watch the baby basically two shifts-all night plus all day so you can sleep. Not that days is any better because you need someone the 13-14 hrs you are gone. Who are you planning on having watch the baby if you keep working during the week? If it were me, I'd do weekends and no more than 3 days if possible. Our facility we got extra pay for weekends and it was usually Fri, sat, sun or sat, sun, mon. It would be nice for your baby to be with someone who loves them as much as you do that you trust. Also, the routine of knowing exactly which days you're working would be nice. Either way, you're gonna have a newborn and aren't going to get much sleep for a while and it's going to be hard but it will get easier!! Good luck!

firstinfamily, RN · Dec 19, 2014

I had my husband at the time, but I usually worked every Fri, Sat, Sun night shift 7p-7a. He left for work on Monday morning when I got home from the hospital. I slept when the baby slept on that day. It is hard, but it worked for us. Having hubby there was a blessing and it was understood that he would watch the baby, change diapers, feed him and everything. I nursed the baby for 9 months, so our routine was that when I came home in the mornings I threw the baby on my breast(literally because I would be slightly engorged) I would sleep, then feed the baby again when I woke up around 4:00 pm. Hubby would feed him at lunch time, but just a small amount so that he was really hungry when I could nurse him. I also pumped my breasts the nights I worked and kept the milk in the break room refrigerator, took it home so that hubby could use it the next day for a feeding. It could work if your mom is able to totally care for the baby, but it is a huge commitment for you both. I did better working 3 nights in a row, was totally exhausted by the third night, but it was better for me. Congrats on the baby!!! HOw exciting!!!

Baubo516, RN · Dec 24, 2014

Does your hospital have a day care facility that could care for your baby during the day? If so, that might help you decide which shifts you should choose. I know that parents of newborns don't get much sleep, but if your baby was in daycare you would have some guaranteed sleep time during daylight hours. If planning to breastfeed, you could pump and send your milk with her/him to daycare.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2014

Im concerned with my schedule after maternity leave. I am due early March 2015.
I get to take the full 12wk off work. Ive been working nights at the hospital for 4yrs and I particularly like my shift & coworkers! However, the stress with worrying about my schedule AFTER the baby arrives is bothering me. My mom suggested I try working weekend nights so I can be with baby boy during the week. I'm not too sure about committing to working just weekends...
(3-4 nights/week--such as fri,sat,sun,mon perhaps).
I also don't have a significant other involved...unfortunately. thats definitely not how I imagined my life at 28 w/ a baby on the way. HOWEVER, this baby is a blessing regardless:)
I guess my question is for any nurses that have continued to work nights with a newborn & if yall worked weekends or just 3-4days consecutively during the week. My mom would be delighted to keep babyboy during my work nights if it was during the weekend. She works week days, 5 days, normal business hours lol
I have googled this topic and searched similar threads across this site. Ive found some things helpful but
I'm open to any suggestions, answers, or ideas!! :)

I have a girlfriend that found herself a single Mom of 3 and one on the way...when her husband decided to "find himself" With another woman of course. She started with 3-11 Fri followed by 2 3-11/11-7 doubles....it was tough. Then we went to 12 hour shifts.....She worked 3 12 hour shifts Fri, Sat, Sun nights and her Mom watched the kids....she had very tired days especially on Monday when she had the newborn at home...but it worked. She would try to pick you a four hour shift 7-11 once in a while.

She is a Grandma now of several little ones and in heaven. It's doable.

Congrats on your coming arrival!