Going back to work tomorrow (Update in post #8)

MarinaAndCharlie'sMommy · #1 June 7th, 2010, 05:16 AM

Tomorrow is my first day back at work tomorrow. I can't believe these 12 weeks have flown by so fast.

I don't know how I'm going to do a 12 hour shift! I know I'm going to be a mess all day! I'm so worried that she is going to refuse the bottle and be hungry all day. DH is taking off to watch her, but I'm still worried that they will both have an awful day. For the BTDT mommies, how did your first day back go and how did you cope with it!

Lyz · #2 June 7th, 2010, 06:12 AM

the first day SUCKED! I'm not going to lie. It helped that she was with my mom for my first day back. That really helped ease my mind. As far as your fear of her refusing a bottle, this is what I read in my PR when a mom like you was fearing that (bella's been on bottles since day one): She said that even if she gives your hubby a hard time in the beginning about taking a bottle, she will eventually do it. She has to eat!

I know that's not as comforting as you would have liked, but she will be okay

you will be worse off than her haha! Try to look at this optimistically: you get some normal adult interaction during the day! plus, you will look forward to going home like nothing else!

to you! it will get easier each day, I promise!

amazing_love · #3 June 7th, 2010, 07:03 AM

I can imagine how difficult it would be. I'm sure it will be okay sweetie. Lyz is right, it's definitely harder on the momma than the baby.

I don't have any personal experience with it of course, other than i've looked after babies in child care centers and it was ALWAYS harder on the parents. I hope your first day back goes okay. HUGS!!

MommaLee · #4 June 7th, 2010, 07:36 AM

hugs!

ca_dawson · #5 June 7th, 2010, 11:19 AM

Well you know I dealt with this yesterday! It was rough! I think tougher on me though. Luckily the day flew by because I was so busy trying to get back in the swing of things. I'm sure your day will fly by too. I literally had like 1900 emails! I only got down to about 900 left to read. Lexi did give DH a rough time with the bottle though.

Crazy thing is she's been getting the occasional bottle since like 3 weeks and would do fine with them. Then we didn't give her one for a couple of weeks since she got into a routine. (Dh was giving her a bottle to let me sleep, then when she got on a sleeping/eating schedule there was no need) So now its like she doesn't want it anymore. She ate about 10 oz yesterday and he said it would take him like an hour to get him to eat and oz or two. He did say that she liked it better and usually took it for a little while if it was really warm. Once it started cooling down she didn't want it. One trick I read was to run the nipple under warm water. And another one said to put your pinky in with the nipple and then once she starts sucking remore your pinky. DH said she would suck on his finger, but then get mad when she realized no milk was coming out. DH is going to try those tricks tomorrow.

It was so sweet once I got home though. She ate and held on to me so tightly! Then we both crashed out hard! We were tired! It will suck but it will be over quickly. And think of it this way, her and daddy get some quality bonding time in! I know DH did enjoy that part of it since he never gets to stay home with her, even if she was being a little stinker for him!

One of the biggest adjustments with work was figuring out the whole pumping thing. Do you already have that worked out? The place I planned on pumping was infested with knats! So I had to pump in a conference room, but unfortunately all the offices in our building have those windows from floor to ceiling by the door! So I literally had to huddle up in the front corner and pump, trying not to expose myself and hoping no one walked by and got curious enough to look in! Hopefully the knat problem is being resolved today. It is a bathroom/locker room type place with a toilet and showers, but it locks and there's a nice couch and bench in there so I can pump comfortably. And finding the time to run off was a big of a pain too, but I did get 4 pumps in and got 20 oz. Big hugs Casey! I hope tomorrow is the fastest 12 hours of your life!

Elijah'sMommy · #6 June 8th, 2010, 06:01 AM

Just wanted to send some hugs and wish you good luck with your first day back.

karenwalter · #7 June 9th, 2010, 08:07 AM

So, how did it go?

My first day back was tough. I work 12 hour shifts too and it is such a long time to be away from your LO. Pumping at work is super hard too because it's hard to leave your patients and have someone watch them while you're gone. So, if you need to vent PM me, I get it.

It does get easier. Each day I have to work is a little easier than the one before it. And, when it's super busy at work, you hardly have time to think about being away! I try to carry a photo around with me and look at it if I'm having a bad day. It always cheers me right up!

MarinaAndCharlie'sMommy · #8 June 9th, 2010, 08:29 AM

Thanks girls!

Well it went by pretty fast. I was so busy, but I still found time to call DH six times, LOL! One of the hardest parts was that one of my patients was a child molester (if he makes it through he will be going back to prison). Nice thing to think about all day when you are away from your LO for the first time. It was so hard to take care of someone who could do something like that, but still I gave him excellent care as I do with all my patients, even if I hated every minute of it. Anyway, Marina did great for DH. I was so proud of them both. When I got home she was pretty fussy, but calmed down soon after a major spit-up fest, lol! All in al it wasn't too bad. I missed her like crazy, but I definately appreciate my time with her more!

Lyz · #9 June 9th, 2010, 08:46 AM

yay!!! I'm so glad you had a great day! ugh, I would struggle caring with a child molester. But, that level of professionalism shows that you are a great nurse

I'm so glad you got to see the positive side of working---enjoying your time more with her! Sorry for the spit up session...maybe it's the bottles? what kind are you using?

Soape · #10 June 9th, 2010, 08:57 AM

Im sooooo glad that it went well!!! Beside the child molester thing. I'm def dreading the day that I have to leave her side. I now realize why some women decide to never go back!!! It's soooo hard to leave these little angels!!

MarinaAndCharlie'sMommy · #11 June 9th, 2010, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyz

yay!!! I'm so glad you had a great day! ugh, I would struggle caring with a child molester. But, that level of professionalism shows that you are a great nurse

I'm so glad you got to see the positive side of working---enjoying your time more with her! Sorry for the spit up session...maybe it's the bottles? what kind are you using?

DH used the Tommy Tippee ones yesterday. She didn't spit up much for him, but spit up a ton when I breastfed her. She hasn't spit up as much today, so far. I really hope I didn't just jinx myself, lol!