To ask single mum nurses how they manage on long shifts

[PeopleWhoRun]

Hi all, this week I had my first keep in touch day since baby was born. I've been moved wards, completely fine, I've no problems with it at all. The shift went as well as it could given the constant pressures we're all under.

My only problem is the mum guilt. My baby has always slept 18:45-07:30. I had to get baby up at 5 to get to childcare, so I could be at work for 06:45.

Mum picked baby up and did the bedtime routine for me - I was home by 20:30.

I feel so so guilty about having to get baby up so early, when sleeping has never really been a problem and wondered if anyone could give me ideas with what they do?

Dad isn't reliable enough (and doesn't want) to have overnight stays or pick up from nursery or mum etc.

I'm just feeling a little low about it and wondered if anyone could share how they manage.

I know it's not going to be easy etc, and that I might just have to get used to it. But any ideas might help.

Thank you.

Why were you moved wards on a KIT day? I'm doing KIT days atm and i would outright refuse if they tried to move me, you're meant to be supported and 'keep in touch' with what's going on in your area, not be moved and have no support.
I'm actually doing a KIT day tomorrow and my morning will be waking at half 5, leave at half 6 with DS and DH as he needs the car.
In the week if my mum has DS, i get up at 5, leave at 6 to drop off at my mums and then off to work.
I get DS up at the latest possible moment, straight into car seat in PJ's and either my mum or DH will feed him when they're back.
It's shit that you don't see them for the whole day, but it's not every day so i still get plently of time with DS

Would your mum do the morning chidcare drop-off for you too?
I'm a nurse and I sometimes sleep at my mum's the night before a shift so that if my kids need me in the night (they don't usually) I am there, but they don't have to get up stupidly early.

I don't feel guilty about waking DS up, although he's always been an awful sleeper and it's not uncommon for him to be awake at that time anyway, but you need to do it.
Why did you need to get baby up at 5 though, is the child care quite far away? I wake DS up 5 mins before we need to leave, quick nappy change and straight into car seat

Im not a human nurse but I work 13 hour shifts. Im lucky that my mum comes to my house stupidly early and then takes DS to nursery so I can leave before he is even out of bed.

Late nights are up to DH though.

Hi @Greywalls12 I didn't explain too well - the original ward has been closed for refurbishment so theyve opened random bays attached to other wards and using those. They have been supportive and I can't call them at all. Good luck tomorrow.

I think I got a bit excited and stupidly got her up and gave her breakfast and did everything as normal just hours earlier I could have easily done a bit less and that would have certainly been less disruptive for baby! I feel like a right fool now haha.

@muddyboots great ideas, I think I'll be staying at mums maybe weekly when I go back to work. Luckily she's supportive in that way. We're on the waiting list for the nursery at the hospital, so that'll be a big help when she comes in.

@Maneandfeathers I'm happy to hear from anyone working long shifts going to have to ask mum for a little more help I think! The benefit for me of the long shifts is more full days off, just trying to get in the groove of it!

@PeopleWhoRun ohh okay that makes more sense. Definitely let your mum/childcare give baby breakfast and ready for the day! Makes it much easier