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Studying with a newborn

8 replies

Dede124 · 30/08/2017 12:13

Hi ladies, I'm due mid October and due to start my third and final year of my degree he end of September. Has anyone studied with a newborn before and is it possible? This is my first baby and I have no idea what to expect. I didn't want to defer for a year because I don't think I would go back plus a few people have said it would be harder with a 1 year old than with a newborn. It's the last hurdle and I really want to do it but no one can predict how they're going to be after birth I suppose. Advice welcome X

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NameChange30 · 30/08/2017 12:18

Ummm... well I think you're mad but hopefully some people will post to say that it's doable! I think it depends whether you have a partner and/or family who can do lots of looking after the baby while you sleep and study? Presumably you intend to formula feed rather than breastfeed? And what's your course, do you have lots of lectures and classes to attend or is it mostly self-study?

Ttbb · 30/08/2017 12:18

I've done it and it with a toddler and a newborn. Newborn wasn't an issue, he was asleep most of the time but of course I did not attend tutorials. Where I tripped up was the birth combined with moving house and having the toddler. We were both in hospital for some time after the birth and th whole thing was just traumatic bug I failed to realise this until after the exams. Still passed everything though. Got one first and one 2:1, the other two subjects were 2:2. So not great but still doable.

NameChange30 · 30/08/2017 12:19

Also I don't know much about it but I think some universities might offer grants or even childcare for student parents - does yours?

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Dede124 · 01/09/2017 20:23

Thank you everyone... I have managed to get a support plan in place with my university so I'm going to give it my best x

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EightyNine · 15/09/2017 19:01

I hope it all works out for you. I did this (ish), tried to finish all my work before the little one arrived, but the uni messed up so I ended up writing a dissertation with a newborn. It was reeeally hard! However, it will depend on the baby, some are easier than others, some sleep better, some fuss more, and it will depend whether you use formula or breast feed or a combination and whether you have childcare lined up.

I breast fed, couldn't express, and I had a very hungry baby! He was not a good sleeper, he was very demanding. I asked the uni for an extension and after a lot of hassle eventually got one.

Mine was a distance learning course. I could leave the little one with parents for a couple of hours at a time until he would need feeding again. But they weren't that keen on taking him, and I wouldn't have felt comfortable doing this when he was really little, I started when he was as a couple of months old. Most childcare providers don't take them under six weeks. If you get a decent sling you might find that for the first few weeks your little one is happy just spending a lot of the day sleeping on you which could help.

I would say it would be easier with a one year old as it's easier to put them in childcare. But then I know some people who were able to work from home whilst caring for a baby, I couldn't have done that with mine as he was too demanding.

I think it all just depends on the baby, you, how you feed and how much support you have.

Good luck and I hope it goes well!

PashPash · 15/09/2017 19:04

I did it

Tough but totally doable

Ladybirdgal · 15/09/2017 19:36

OP, are you me?! I'm also in my 3rd year of studies (Nursing) and due my first baby in October. I've decided to not take a year out because I think I'd struggle going back after a year so I spoke to my uni who are very supportive with me. My maternity leave starts a week before my due date and then I go back in January where I need to make up a 7 week placement as well as a 6 week and 12 week placement to go.

I think if you have the support and also determination/drive to do it, it can be done. I'm very fortunate that I have my parents who we're moving in with as they've recently retired and will look after baby whilst I'm out on placement and fiancé is working.

It's gonna be tough work but you can do it Smile

katmarie · 15/09/2017 20:46

I'm in my second year with the OU, doing a bachelors in social psychology, and due with my first baby in January, which is right in the middle of my two modules for this year. I'm hoping that with a lot of support from my OH and family it will be do-able, plus I have the option to get ahead in the modules and get a lot of the work done before baby comes, so I'm cautiously optimistic. It could all go out the window when the baby arrives though!

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