Maternity nurse/night nanny tips please

[StargazyDrifter]

We're expecting our first baby shortly and don't have much of a support network. I'm also due to have a c-section for medical reasons and don't expect to bounce back for a bit because of various ongoing conditions. Our hospital aims to discharge asap rain or shine and we are worried about how we'll cope.

DH will take 3 weeks' leave at the start, but we were wondering if it is still worth having someone around for a 10-12 hour stretches at the start to help us learn/gain confidence as well as helping with sleep? Perhaps every day or maybe even every other day?

Alternatively, is it better to leave things for a couple of weeks, since there will be the two of us, and save any night nanny help for when DH is back at work? Maybe something like 3 nights a week first, decreasing this over an 8-10 week period? Perhaps this way we can work out what we need/feeding situation first.

I do hope to BF and would consider expressing for night time bottle feeds (as long as that wasn't interfering with supply).

Money isn't infinite and I do sometimes wonder if all of this is even necessary, but my gut feeling is it might be worth it in our situation. All thoughts most welcome!

Suggestions of any agencies to have a look at in London also much appreciated (Eden and Maternlly Yours seem to be the most established).

If you can afford it do it
Make everything as easy as you can. Also get a cleaner if you haven't already.

I used to be a night nanny!

Personally, I'd get someone in mind and interview before baby comes along if you can with the view to have them start the week before DH is due back to work. For the first couple weeks, you two should manage just fine and you'll find you'll find your own rhythm. When DH is due to go back, it would be helpful if you're both rested. I doubt you'd need them 10-12 hours either. I most often went 10-6/11-7 and the dad stayed up until say 11 while mum had gone to bed at 8, she would sleep until 7 and relieve me. Then everyone was getting 8+ hours sleep but paying for minimal hours.

The most common was probably every day or every third day depending on the parents and their budget. Quite a few would do it for two days and need a third day off to catch up on sleep to be manageable. Just ask for a flexible arrangement with your nanny.

I'd put off having her in for the first few weeks unless you're totally overwhelmed and like a PP said, use that money for a cleaner. That's the last thing you'll feel like doing. I often did the laundry while baby slept on my night shifts to help out as well. You could ask about this. There's so much baby laundry in the beginning too.

Good luck, it might not be as bad as you think. I'm a lone mum to an eleven month old DS and have done it solo 24/7 from the beginning. However I lucked out and got an excellent sleeper. You might too!

Rtmhwales that's amazingly helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to explain it. I'm sure your good sleeper is at least partly down to the fact that you actually know what you're doing!

You wouldn't be discharged post c section regardless of you or your babies health.