I have the option to return to uni when my baby is 9 months or 12 months - what would you do?

[Whatagrapefruit156]

Loving looking after my EBF 4 month old baby but I do miss my independence and being around adults.

I am part way through a nursing degree and have the option of returning when he is 9 months old or 12 months old. Returning will immediately involve working full time on wards as part of my placements.

I really want to get back to working but is 9 months too soon? I know a lot of Mums do it (my mum returned to work at 6 weeks) but if you had the choice would you? Especially as he is EBF I think it will be even more difficult to leave him without upsetting him, plus I’ve read there is a 9 month sleep regression so am I likely to be even more knackered with a 9 month baby than I would a 1 year old?

What are your thoughts xx

I would take the extra 3 months. Such a cliche but it's true, they aren't little for long.

I'd also take the full 12 months, unless money is tight

If I could afford it I'd take a year. I went back to nursing still bf when Dc1 was 6 months (was all they gave at the time). Second pregnancy took a year it was much easier all round. You can bf when returning to work (especially as they'll need less feeds as they eat solids), with first I expressed and nursery gave it in a beaker (it's a good idea to build up a store and freeze before you go back to work if you are going to do this).

If it is an option, I'd pick 12 months for sure

Thanks ladies ! Very true that they are only little once ! I think I’ll return at 12 months and enjoy just being Mum for a bit longer :)

Depends if you had to do nights. I found at 9 months my ebf babies could do 12 hours away during the day, as eating and drinking independently, but no way could they do a night without a feed.