Anyone else working night shift?

[Ashbee]

Iv been offered a job on night shift. It's 3 nights a week starting 9.30pm until 7.30am. I have a 6 month old bub so just figuring out how this would work. My OH works mon-fri 8-5 so I would hopefully be home by 8 intime for him going to work. I have family around to help now and again but nothing permenant. Night shift wouldn't be my first choice of shift but it saves so much money on childcare rather than doing 12 hour shifts day time which I used to do. These nights may be in a row or seperated its pot luck.

Does anyone else work night shift with a wee one? How do you work it?

Ash x

 

[kanga86]

I did 3 nights a week whilst pregnant with James last year and had my 18month - 2yr okd to look after. I'm not gonna lie, it was tough, but I was pregnant from the start. I just dozed on the sofa in the morning while he watched tv and then napped when he did. I also got a few hours after dh came home before going off to work myself. Could you not ask for fri and sat nights so that dh wil be there for you to sleep during the day?

Can you believe our babies are 6months now? I start a new job next week! Working 5am-9am, as there was no way I could do my night shifts with two kids to look after xx

 

[Ashbee]

Hello kanga! I know 6 months I can't believe it! How are you getting on?

I can't pick and choose my nights I need to do what they give me. OH's mum said she will help out and have him 1 day during the week as she does shifts also so can help and my mum can help us on Saturdays. I can put him in a nursery one day and after my last shift I can just have him and dose on the sofa and get a good night sleep that night. I'm thinking I can just try it - if I'm struggling ask to go down to 2 nights a week and if they won't let me just leave...lol. I still have another agency job so I can get work here and there but this night shift job is permenant and good money

Xx

 

[littlemonkey]

I'm considering something similar for when I go back to work after this pregnancy. Although I'm considering part time so would only work 5-6 hours a day. I fully anticipate it's going to be tough but childcare costs pretty much rule out any other alternatives. I'd say if it's only three days a week, also potentially not on the run, it would be manageable.

I've been working full time shifts (thankfully with no nights!) since going back after having my son and it's been hell. Thankfully that's finished now! My shift pattern was awful though, some weeks with only one day off and cos I didn't always have the same days off I was still paying for child care too! I honestly think three on four off nights would be preferable to what I've been working!

 

[Mywaterfall]

I've just started working night shifts in a care home, do 2 shifts a week.
Routine for us for my 1yr old is my partner gets her up/wash/dress, bottle and b/fast while I get showered/changed. Then he goes off to work (8-5 job) I drop my LO off at nursery which is normally about 9am and pick her up about 5pm which give me a good few hours sleep.
Only thing I some times find hard is the day I'm due to do a night shift as I can only afford 2 days a week for nursery so put her in the days after I've worked, I can manage to get about few hours sleep that day after I give my LO her dinner as have to put her in her cot and hope she sleeps, which she generally does if she doesn't have a little morning nap.
I had no choice really to go back and do day work as couldn't get a job that would work around nursery hours plus I've not got much family support so nights was the only way I could get back in to work.

 

[kanga86]

Hey Ash, we are doing well now. After James' 6 week hospital drama at 3wks old and then another night in hopsital recently, we have really settled as a family of 4 and I can't imagine life without my 2 boys. Weaning is going really well now, even if it is only jar stuff and not homemade which he refuses lol.
How are you doing? xx

 

[Ashbee]

Thanks mywaterfall. Iv actually decided to decline the job. I just can't see how I can fit in 3 nights around my 6 month old and be non grumpy lol. I still have other work where I can choose which days I want to work so I can work it around when I can get free childcare

Thanks great Kanga! Bradley is great - he's such a happy see baby! Although he was coming up in bad rashes and it was discovered he had a dairy intolerance so he's on prescribed milk and no dairy in his food which is a bit of a pain ! But he loves his food and I'm also giving him the jars at the mo lol. Do you have facebook?

 

[Lilmisshopeful]

I was considering night shifts only when I go back to work. Oliver is in bed when I would leave and my sister will watch him the next day so I can nap. Well will be watching 2 now haha and I'm not going back to work before this one is born. I survive on little sleep anyway always have so nights just work for me. It is hard to make it work without some help tho xxx

 

[kanga86]

Yes Ash I'm on fb, come join sept mummies group with us, i can add you xx

 

[Ashbee]

Added you Kanga x