Childminder or Nanny

Cm here I have supported mums in returning to work with v young bf babies from 6 weeks. It's possible but hard work for mum! I gave expressed milk in the morning mum came on lunch break and I gave another expressed bottle pm. Have also had bottle refusing fb babies. Feeding expressed milk to a tiny baby from a syringe or spoon is time consuming!

For that level of control and prescription of how you want the job done you need a nanny. A live out nanny who will come with you into work would work. Can you accommodate that?

A childminder will have other mindees and priorities. A nanny will work just for you and will also take the baby when s/he is poorly.

I popped in to bf my baby at nursery but she was 10 months old. A 6 week old will still be feeding every 3-4 hours.

Hi could i ask where abouts you work i may be able to help please email me on [email protected]

I think you will struggle to find a childminder who would be happy for you to pop in every day at lunch time. I am all for breastfeeding and breastfed my own children but this would be too much even for me, never mind about all the childminders who see bottle feeding as the norm. 12:00-13:30 is a very busy time of day, preschool runs often fall at that time and there are multiple children to feed plus settle down for naps. Having a parent popping in would feel like quite an intrusion when I'm dashing around like mad trying to get everyone sorted. Plus in the school holidays we go out for day trips and take a packed lunch so wouldn't be home. Do ask around though, as you might get lucky and find one who would do it.

A nanny at home might be best, where nanny can use your expressed milk whenever baby needs it.

One of my mindees used to be fed by his mum at lunchtime, but their home and work and me are very close. He was Sonetines asleep when she came and had a dream feed. She fed him in a quiet room in my house, so the other mindees Werent disturbed by her presence.

Do whatever feels right to you, because it's your time and your baby.

Agree not a good idea long periods in a car seat. But it is not recommended because it can affect baby's breathing and not because it damages the spine.
OP baby will be fine to be left either with a nanny or childminder. Baby will adapt to you not breastfeeding during that time.
You might need to express at work.
You are the one who will need TLC so factor it in. If you have 90 minute lunch hours have a sleep or book a massage.

I would say you def need someone near work if you want to feed at lunch time. But that is a long time in a day for a baby to be in a car for, even on a motorway you are talking at least a hour each way and they recommend a new born/young baby doesn't spend more than a hour or so in a car seat at a time for they spine etc, so I do think a nanny at home with expressed milk may be the way to go, would the hours be longer then though as I assume the above hours are for the times you are at work not away from home, also a nanny could care for your other children if they need it. A lot of parents work a good hour or so away from home ie work in london and live in the suburbs so getting back in a hurry is somethingost parents can't do as such and the nanny would know this.

I think I would go for a nanny ( both as a nanny and a mum of a now 2 yr old) just so baby could have a good routine at home with expressed milk which will hopefully make nights easier so you get some rest then as well.

If by any chance near Surrey I would be very interested in talking more as have lots of young baby experience and would be looking for a new post soon.

Good luck with your decision

Cross post - expressed milk could be a good option for when baby needs more but you will also need to factor doing the expressing into your day/week which can be difficult and exhausting in itself

A childminder near work would probably be best I'd imagine, and for an April/May start you need to be looking now really. I would say though that at 6 weeks, and for some weeks after, baby will go through periods of growth spurts when they're likely to need more feeds than you'd ever think possible - certainly more than every 3-4 hours!

I don't mean for that to sound too negative about your hopes for your arrangements. You're obviously doing what you need to do for your career and baby (and I wouldn't judge anyone's decisions on that) but as someone who's breastfed 2 children (albeit on demand so having a baby in a routine may be different) I thought I would let you know what the reality of the early days can be like.

Good luck.

Think you may find your baby is sleeping between these times.
Also think it would be very disruptive to the baby to have mum appearing then disappearing.
You might be better to express milk for the day feeds or give formula and to continue to breast feed @ 7am, 5-6 pm , 10 pm and middle of night. At six weeks most breastfeeding babies are still having a night feed and this is a good feed for stimulating lactation.
But it will be extremely tiring for you, broken nights, driving 130 miles. The idea of adding another 130 miles and rushing back in your lunch break will be too much. Sorry can't see that working.
Having a new born baby is exhausting without adding extra strain.
If you are going back to work at six weeks then make it as easy as possible.
You need to put yourself first - happy mum happy baby.