What will we need in terms of newborn help?

[Anonymous]

DH is in his first year of a tough, medical residency program (sometimes working nights) and although I’m on leave, I still need to practice (musician) about four hours a day. If we get a night nurse, and I am breastfeeding, how will it work?

Eventually I’ll need a nanny when I go back to work but that’s crazy too since I’ll be working some evenings and never in the mornings.

[Anonymous]

A night nurse is about 3 times as expensive as daytime help.

Since you work evenings, I would try to get rest during the day. Hire a full time daytime nanny who also helps out around the house. The nanny can be in charge of all baby laundry, bottles, baby food, sheets, towels, toys — you get the idea. This will be much more helpful than a night nanny.

[Anonymous]

A tough situation but I think workable. The first few weeks are going to be really hard -- it's just a big adjustment and the sleeplessness is real, even with a night nurse (especially if you are breastfeeding). If you can't have a family member come to stay during the first two weeks, I would recommend hiring a post-birth doula. She can come for a few hours every day (more if you want to pay for that) and will help you make the adjustment and just give you a break.

You need to be prepared not to be able to get in your music practice daily for the first couple weeks. It might happen, but you can't count on it. A lot depends on how your birth goes and how you feel during recovery. Some people feel great after a couple days, some need a lot longer. Give yourself room to recover and don't rush it because that will backfire on you down the road.

Once those early ```1234567890

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH is in his first year of a tough, medical residency program (sometimes working nights) and although I’m on leave, I still need to practice (musician) about four hours a day. If we get a night nurse, and I am breastfeeding, how will it work?

Eventually I’ll need a nanny when I go back to work but that’s crazy too since I’ll be working some evenings and never in the mornings.



Just curious with covid when and where are you working? Im assuming you are a performer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A tough situation but I think workable. The first few weeks are going to be really hard -- it's just a big adjustment and the sleeplessness is real, even with a night nurse (especially if you are breastfeeding). If you can't have a family member come to stay during the first two weeks, I would recommend hiring a post-birth doula. She can come for a few hours every day (more if you want to pay for that) and will help you make the adjustment and just give you a break.

You need to be prepared not to be able to get in your music practice daily for the first couple weeks. It might happen, but you can't count on it. A lot depends on how your birth goes and how you feel during recovery. Some people feel great after a couple days, some need a lot longer. Give yourself room to recover and don't rush it because that will backfire on you down the road.

Once those early ```1234567890

Ha. Child interrupts. I meant to say:

Once those early days are over, you will get into a rhythm with naps and nursing that should allow you to get your practicing in. But concur with PP that daytime help may be more helpful than a night nurse.

[Anonymous]

Doesn’t work for a newborn but an au pair might work better for you. Then they could work at night instead of the day and you’d have better coverage.

I’m curious about the musician part and if you will be able to practice. I too have a similar profession and I couldn’t even remember how to write out a check during the first month. Sleep deprivation made me brain dead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH is in his first year of a tough, medical residency program (sometimes working nights) and although I’m on leave, I still need to practice (musician) about four hours a day. If we get a night nurse, and I am breastfeeding, how will it work?

Eventually I’ll need a nanny when I go back to work but that’s crazy too since I’ll be working some evenings and never in the mornings.



Just curious with covid when and where are you working? Im assuming you are a performer?

Chamber and symphony.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t work for a newborn but an au pair might work better for you. Then they could work at night instead of the day and you’d have better coverage.

I’m curious about the musician part and if you will be able to practice. I too have a similar profession and I couldn’t even remember how to write out a check during the first month. Sleep deprivation made me brain dead.

That’s why I have to get sleep. I can’t not practice for my whole leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t work for a newborn but an au pair might work better for you. Then they could work at night instead of the day and you’d have better coverage.

I’m curious about the musician part and if you will be able to practice. I too have a similar profession and I couldn’t even remember how to write out a check during the first month. Sleep deprivation made me brain dead.

That’s why I have to get sleep. I can’t not practice for my whole leave.

I agree.

If your husband or family can’t help, I think only night nurses will help at night with a newborn and they’re $$$.

I was ebf and dh didn’t help at all at night (just wasn’t a need for him). I worked hard at routines and babies sttn by 8 weeks. I’m sure I still had unicorn newborns though. I’d just breastfeed and back in the bassinet no problems with them going to sleep. Anyways, it took 30 days of 7 hours of sleep a night for me to feel human again. I could practice but in no way could I perform.

[Anonymous]

OP here and I should clarify that I don’t practice four to five hours a day all in one stretch - it’s broken up.

I can also take a full year sabbatical if needs be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t work for a newborn but an au pair might work better for you. Then they could work at night instead of the day and you’d have better coverage.

I’m curious about the musician part and if you will be able to practice. I too have a similar profession and I couldn’t even remember how to write out a check during the first month. Sleep deprivation made me brain dead.

That’s why I have to get sleep. I can’t not practice for my whole leave.

I agree.

If your husband or family can’t help, I think only night nurses will help at night with a newborn and they’re $$$.

I was ebf and dh didn’t help at all at night (just wasn’t a need for him). I worked hard at routines and babies sttn by 8 weeks. I’m sure I still had unicorn newborns though. I’d just breastfeed and back in the bassinet no problems with them going to sleep. Anyways, it took 30 days of 7 hours of sleep a night for me to feel human again. I could practice but in no way could I perform.

DH can and will help when he’s home but he’s doing a lot of night shifts.

I really appreciate your help. I can take a full year off if I need it but, as you know, I still have to practice.

Our families are on the opposite coast. My dad will come for a week and then my mother-in-law for a week. We can swing a night nurse and a nanny but I don’t want to be that mom! I waited a long time for this baby and want to spend time with him.

[Anonymous]

I think once your baby is older and Covid is over meaning you’ll be performing nights again and there are more au pairs you may be a good candidate for an au pair because you will need odd hours of care but you won’t need that many hours overall. So having an au pair living in might work. I think by the time life music is back au pairs will be back too and your child will be old enough.

[Anonymous]

You really think that you can practice s musical instrument four hours a day without interruption. You will be lucky if you get 15 minute increments.

Next time plan better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think once your baby is older and Covid is over meaning you’ll be performing nights again and there are more au pairs you may be a good candidate for an au pair because you will need odd hours of care but you won’t need that many hours overall. So having an au pair living in might work. I think by the time life music is back au pairs will be back too and your child will be old enough.

Thinking does not make it a fact! What su pair would want to listen to someone practice four hours and a crying baby!

You are ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You really think that you can practice s musical instrument four hours a day without interruption. You will be lucky if you get 15 minute increments.

Next time plan better!

OP already clarified that practice isn’t all in one four to five hour block. She’s breaks it up.

Next time read better!