How to cope with return to work after a sleepless night?

[sophiaslullaby]

My DS is 8 months and I go back to work in 2 weeks. DS was waking once at night around 2/3am and I'd BF him [to sleep - this I don't mind as he can put himself to sleep]. He's now waking around 1am and then again around 4.30am.
It's knackering me and just worried about coping at work (office-based, analytical role) - i spent 10 mins today trying to decide what sandwich filling to have for lunch - I need to be more on the ball for work! :-/
I'm not saying I don't need to tackle DS's sleep but I do need to be prepared - how did anyone else cope with going back to work after sleepless nights?

On a plus I've tried giving DS water instead of boob and although he's cried (because I haven't fed him to sleep), he has settled. But the 4.30am is a nightmare time...!

Most working parents are just perpetually tired.

The best answer would be to adjust your bedtime so that you go to sleep earlier.

I've been back three days a week for 3 months. I'm shattered, and would give my right arm for 'just' two wake ups.......

I'm in bed by 8 some nights.

I just go to bed early. Off now. DC don't even wake much now (4&6) but all up very early to leave the house at 7am.

Permanently tired. Doesn't affect me much until about 3pm (teacher) when my brain stops working properly.

By drinking copious amounts of coffee and having a few early nights each week. 4yo DS is still a crappy sleeper so I have had a lot of experience with this!

I started going to bed around 9pm. Some days I'd go into work on 3 hours broken sleep a night. Dd was well over on when this was happening. I'm a nurse in a specialised area. Good thing I know the job well enough to manage, as I've working in this particular area for 15+ years. Now I look back and wonder how on earth I got through the day and my patients were all fine

Just gone back myself. DD 6 months. Several wake ups generally and DS 3 adds one. 5 hours unbroken is massive in this house.
I get used to it, plus coffee, exercise first thing by cycling to station, key work done first thing if I can. And swopping lie ins at the weekend with DP.
Also wine and chocolate.

coffee is all I've got, I'm afraid.

For me it's easier to be tired at work rather than at home. There's no time to nod off and feel sluggish, you just crack on and have a few early nights.

And yes; you get used to being some degree of tired all the time.

Micro-naps while on the loo I find. Also chocolate and really dark humour.

Do you know what though? You might find that being at work while sleep-deprived is actually EASIER than minding a baby while sleep deprived.

At least you might get an uninterrupted coffee break once in a while. And talking to grown-ups tends to keep you awake a bit more than reading "That's Not My Puppy" for the billionth time.

I'm in bed.

You just cope, somehow. Coffee, naps when you can, early nights. You do what you have to do.

That's good answer actually -guess I'm worried my boss will my productivity but then I'm not the only parent [of young children] in my office.

Micro-naps on the loo! Love it! Did that while pregnant but accidently fell asleep for half hr the once.

My first week back at full time work my bf son was up six times a night... To be honest he's never been a great sleeper (eyes four year old asleep next to me in bed whilst I feed a newborn) but I think it's easier working than being the parent on home in these circumstances.

8pm is not too early to go to bed. Pjs on when their pjs go on...

Oh and also - don't make life harder than you have to. Buy your lunch if you can justify it. Don't feel like you have to cram your weekend with plans. Just take it steady.

milpool - for the sake of saving the pennies I was going to sort a packed lunch but I rarely spend on myself (went out the other day to treat myself and came back with nothing but baby stuff!) so maybe that could be my treat, a daily cooked lunch.
I like how everyone agrees tiredness is handled better at work than at home, it's what I thought hence looking forward to returning to work!

I went back to work yesterday.... On 3 hours of sleep 😢 DD is teething and her sleeps gone berserk!

I just fuelled myself with coffee and cracked on with it - it was horrid. But I worked straight through my lunch hour then went home an hour early and had a quick nap before DD finished nursery.

I'm dreading this being a regular occurrence though, especially as I do lots of driving for work so can't afford to be too tired.

Is your DC going to nursery/childminder? Just a bit of hope for you- since DD has been going to childminder and I've gone back to work she's been sleeping 7.30-6.30. I might just be really lucky but there is hope that maybe day to day interaction with numerous adults and children may make them sleep!!

I found work kept we awake to be honest. I think if you're busy you just get on with it? That said go to bed early and nap at weekends. It's tough but somehow you get through it. I found work a bit of a refuge to be honest... Just started mat leave with number 2! Good luck and try not to worry the body is amazing!

DS woke to feed about six times a night when I returned to work. Reverse cycling. I just coslept and went to bed at 10 and it passed gradually.

You don't mention if you get up to bf the baby, but I found my sleep improved immeasurably when I started bringing DD into our bed to feed and sleep. Even now at 3yo, if she wakes in the night, I or DH zombie-shuffle into her room and bring her in with us. We all pretty instantly fall asleep again.

Lots of coffee and go to bed as early as possible

Agree with everyone - you just get through it somehow! Work does keep you awake and it is an escape. We are so knackered of an evening that we can barely speak, but we're coping. I'm taking some annual leave just to rest while DD is in nursery. Also taking it turns with your partner to do wake ups and give each other a lie in at the weekend.

Other than that...yes coffee!! I just bought a coffee machine...