Starting a job on the 28 of this month. I will be full time in the ER 7p-7a. Never done night shift before so not really sure how to tackle this new venture. I have a 6 month old at home who a) I am exclusively breastfeeding b) will be waking up as I'm coming home.
Night shift was deemed easiest for me Bc I won't have to pump as much to keep up with her supply at home. She only wakes to nurse twice in the night as opposed to me having to pump 4xs in a normal daytime 12 hr shift. I'm not terribly worried about pumping Bc my goal is to get her to sleep through the night anyway. So eventually that two pumping will go down to one and I can manage one sesh pumping in a 12hr shift.
I realize I have to study up on circadian rhythms to get a better, personal, idea of how to eat and what to expect. I know:
Hydrate hydrate hydrate. I know lighter meals....
Just seeing if anyone new moms are out there (breastfeeding or not) who I can relate too and can pick their brain.
I never had supply issues working nights. It may or may not be a problem. My 1st son nursed for 2 years with no problems!
If you don't work 2 nights in a row, at least you won't have the pressure of having to sleep to go back to work. It is hard, but doable. But be sure and get as much sleep as you can the day you work. Even now, those first nights are my hardest nights!
We can typically do anything we want if we are determined enough. All you can do is try and adjust the arrangement as you go along. Hopefully for the most part you and hubby can work different days so you can get some solid continous sleep here and there. Pumping is something that you will have to make a priority because no one else will.
I did it at work and it was tough at first. No private rooms with locks on them but bathrooms, and I was NOT pumping in there (I cannot imagine the germs floating in that air). I fought my way through to managment and was able to get an unused office (with a lock on it) set aside for patients and staff to use. It is exclusively for breastfeeding or pumping. Any time they have tried to get the office turned back into what it originally was.. I have to remind them about customer service and satisfaction scores. This room sets us apart from many other facilities and isn't that what we all want to "shine" for our patients? (puke.. gag). Good luck!
Good luck!
Elle23
415 Posts
I never had supply issues working nights. It may or may not be a problem. My 1st son nursed for 2 years with no problems!
If you don't work 2 nights in a row, at least you won't have the pressure of having to sleep to go back to work. It is hard, but doable. But be sure and get as much sleep as you can the day you work. Even now, those first nights are my hardest nights!