Is a part time nanny the answer? Sorry long post

[Justtrying]

I've just gone back to work as flight crew, dd is 10 months old. I'm working fulltime at present, 5 days a week away from home but this will drop to 5 days on five off in June, so only 4 nights away. At present dh and my parents are sharing childcare, my mum offered as she's not a fan of nurseries. So far my parents have had dd 24-36 hours a week ( in one chunk) and dh the remainder, he's not working at present but will probably start a large construction project in June. If dh was working i'm sure my parents would have dd more, but I get the impression they are wondering why the need whilst he's not working. As an additional problem dd isn't sleeping well.

The problem is dh isn't coping with a grumpy, teething lo who is full of the cold and missing her mum. I rang when I finished work last night (7pm and i'm 300 miles from home) dd was really upset, dh at the end of his tether saying she hadn't stopped crying for 7 hours, of course there wasn't much I could do other than suggest a bottle, dry bum, cuddle etc.I didn't want to ring my mum because dh had only collected her at 11am. I think the lack of adult company and the constant demands of dd are a bit much for him and i'm looking at solutions, that hopefully enable me to continue working.

We don't have space for a live in nanny, but would a part time nanny do perhaps three 11 hour days and the odd evening of baby sitting? What is the going rate in NW England? I know we'd have to pay holidays and sick pay etc but I guess there are agencies who sort this out. We would need the days to vary, but from June I know the days i'm working until the end of the year.

Sorry about the long post, but trying to use my time spent in a hotel, waiting to start work productively.

Thanks in advance

That sounds really stressful for you all! I think a nanny would be a great idea. I'm not in the North west but a quick look on nannyjob seems to suggest around £9-10gross an hour. A nanny share or a nanny with her own child may be a cheaper alternative. Have a look on childcare.co.uk for nannies advertising in your area as some of them put their required rates which may give you a better idea.

I hope your DH has a better day with your DD. Has he given her nurofen for her teething? I found that worked better than calpol for my two. My oldest also used to get an ear infection every time a tooth came through so it might be worth getting her checked by a doctor just to make sure there's no underlying problem.

Ebb, thanks for your reply, I suggested nurofen last night, dd just spits calpol out, but its a battle getting her to take any medicine and I don't think dh had the stomach to wrestle the syringe into her mouth, which i suspect is sore, she's got a really snotty nose apparently and cries when anyone tries to wipe it. I'm home by 9am tomorrow and i'll take her the docs if her ear is bothering her, but i think its probably a teeth related cold, dh doesn't think she's got a temperature and mum said she just had a cold.

I've had a quick look at childcare, and figured about 10 pounds an hour, and will sit down and discuss options with dh when i'm home, I need to know dd is well looked after as whilst i'm away my job needs 100% concentration, on the plus side i've got some leave this month so only working 15days, so prob only away 13 nights, one of which is close enough that dh and dd can join me.

I suspect dh would cope overnight if he doesn't have to look after dd all day too.