Coping with going back to work with a non sleeper

[Liv316]

I’m back to work next month with an 11mo who still doesn’t sleep. Any tips or tricks to get through the days when you’re knackered 24/7? It’s part time so 3 days a week but pretty much dreading his sleep getting even worse from going to nursery as well.

Thank you!

Can you nightwean. Especially if breastfeeding?

Nursery will almost certainly tire him out. DD slept through for the first time after a few weeks of nursery!

Other than that, do the bare minimum outside of work until you are used to it. Easy meals etc. Like when you have a newborn

If you have at home support from a DP or similar, can you so shifts? Or at least get a break for naps?

Sorry probably not that helpful but all I can think of!

My experience was that adrenaline kicked in to get me through the days I was working, and I was so busy I didn't have time to feel tired. I did find myself going to bed as early as possible in the evenings so for me a cleaner and batch cooking were invaluable. I also used to take all the laundry to the launderette for a service wash.

Good luck!

You just manage.

You are also assuming that things will stay the same as they are now but both my children made sudden leaps in sleeping better at around 12-14 months.

We still had the odd bad nights but they were manageable. You just learn to have an early night on work nights for a bit.

You'll probably find his nap schedule goes to shit at nursery, so he might actually sleep better at night.

It's hard but you get used to it. A supportive partner is key, if you are doing the night work and 3 days at work, that doesn't allow you time to do everything else to run the house so manage expectations from the start. Divide the chores before you go back. Make sure you get lie ins when you can when you are both off work.

Also remind yourself that this is temporary, they will sleep better one day. The baby just needs you at night for now.

Thanks everyone, I have a really supportive partner who definitely does his fair share so that side of it is great. I think it’s logistics too and nursery being 20 minutes away from where we live so a bit of a fear of him falling asleep every drive home. I’ve not managed to visit the nursery due to covid and now with my LO having hand foot and mouth we can’t visit yet. So I’ve not got many answers to my questions.