Childcare during PhD

[Equimum]

I wasn't sure whether to post here or in Childcare, but thought I'd find more students here - I hope that's okay.

I'm at the end of my first year as a social science PhD student and am expecting a baby at the end of the year. I'm planning to take 6-9 months off then return full-time. I was just wondering how many hours Childcare other full-time PhD students rely on? We were wondering whether it would be practical to initially book morning sessions ony, which would equate to 22.5 hours per week. By using on-site services, I could work for most of this time, then make-up my hours by doing a couple each evening after D.H gets home from work and studying on a Saturday morning when DH could again look after LO. The plan would then be to potentially increase Childcare ad I get closer to end of PhD and LO iss a bit older and hopefully already settled in Childcare.

Do other people think this'd would work or area we being unrealistic? Is f//t Childcare the only option if I'm studying f/t?

TIA

I don't know but am also interested in the answer, so just wanted to bump this for you by replying. Also does your DP work full time?

I had a baby halfway through my phd and the idea was going back after 6 months full time but juggling it around dhs shifts.... It didnt work so when dd was 9 months old i got some half day sessions which were better but still not working tbh... It was so stressful so eventually we managed to get full time which is great for time to work but costs are awful... We have no family nearby to help and evenings are taken up with household stuff while 9 out of 10 weekends dh works so i am full time carer... This means i have no extra time to work...

My funding has now ran out also so i have switched to part time on phd and work 3 days at uni (paid) but still have full time childcare so my phd days are costing me just over £400 a month and i have about 8-10 months of writing left :(

It is so hard so be prepared for that and there is so little help with childcare costs....

Am a bio scientist so lab phd, and am just finishing p/t, but adding up my childcare, i have had 3 full days throughout ie 27 hours a week and it has been a struggle to get thru pt in 4.5 yrs.
Obviously the lab requires more presence, but do not underestimate how tired you willl be in the evenings with a baby/toddler!

Thanks for your replies. Yes, I'm expecting to be shattered all the time, especially as DH leaves house before 7am and doesn't get home until about 8pm during the week. We are planning to get a cleaner and ironer so there's less housework to focus on, but I'm still a bit worried as we don't have family by close by to help out. We did ask my mum if she would be willing to help us but she doesn't think I should continue my PhD so won't. I'm thinking that we really might need to consider f/t Childcare, even though I hate the thought of it (and the cost!).