Night shifts and first time baby

[FuzzyPickle]

I want a baby with my long term boyfriend. The feeling is mutual between us, however, we both do night shifts. I'm thinking ahead to when I need to go back to work.
-How many weeks after do I need to go back to work?
-How will I work nights while looking after a baby?
-Is there any care or support I can get? (I'm against someone else caring for them as I think it will be neglecting them on my half).
There is not many options available for day shift in the area I live in so that is pretty much out the question and I'm happy where I work but the questions scare me. Please help me mothers of the world. I don't want to rely on benefits to feed my child but I do want to create a new life.

How many weeks after do I need to go back to work? You'll have to look at your work maternity policy to see if they have an enhanced maternity package (how many weeks of full pay, half pay etc they'll pay you). You'll also be entitled to SMP or maternity allowance depending on what you earn. You can take up to a year off but you won't get maternity pay for the whole year.

-How will I work nights while looking after a baby?
Is there any care or support I can get? (I'm against someone else caring for them as I think it will be neglecting them on my half
If you don't want anyone else to care for your child then you'll have to work opposite shifts to your partner. That must be the only option? What do you mean by care and support? Benefits? You might be entitled to child benefit and/ or tax credits depending on earnings.