help for my partner!

[lawrencefowler]

Hi all!

I hope ive posted this in the right place, sorry if I havent!

My partner is a fantastic mum and she does so much for our 5 month old daughter but Im worried she is getting too worn out!

Her parents live over in Paris and never visit and my mum is disabled (and my dads not a baby person!) so she is not getting ANY help as you might normally from the two sets of grandparents!
I work 6 days a week, most days are 12 hour days so im not around enough!

I want to organize a nanny or child minder for her, perhaps just one or two days a week for 6 hours or so?

Can anyone advise?

Thanks

What a thouroughly decent chap you sound. Are you able to reduce your working hours?
IIWY, I would ask advice in chat or the childminding area of these boards.

Does she want any help? Some parents find it really difficult only seeing their baby, and others find it a wonderful experience. My best advice would be to discuss it with her and say you're willing to do that for her if she'd like. Also, look into local parent and baby activities that might interest her.

Last but not least - take some leave, paid or unpaid, and get to know your new baby. Congratulations on becoming a parent

look at local libary for rhyme times. these are great meeting places for mums and she can then network from there. often a mum will watch dd for her while she has a coffee in piece and she can do the same in return. go with her for the first visit so it doesn't seem so scary!

If your DP is happy doing the childminding, perhaps look at getting someone in to clean (if you don't already) and/or do some cooking? IME, one of the hardest things when looking after a small baby is getting decent food down you (if no one else is helping).

Ah don't you sound lovely!

I was in a similar situation, no parents to help at all. My partner also worked long hours and I was also in a terrible state grieving for a parent at the time and suffering depression and anxiety and couldn't cope.

I'm saying this because I want you to understand how difficult it was but that I came through the other side. I found that joining as many mum and baby groups as possible really helped and getting out most days.

She sounds lucky to have you.

Thats very kind of you. Best check she is ok with leaving baby. She may prefer a cleaner/cook? It's really important she finds a group of new mums to spend time with. My baby friends became my second family and we supported each other hugely.