WAHMs - a new baby?

[AJHCFamily]

I am a part-time work at home mom with a DD who will be 3 when our new baby arrives. I will have a combination of nursery school (for DD), nanny, and DH as my childcare while working.

Some questions:
How long did you take off of work? I've told my project manager I'm pregnant but haven't discussed details with taking off/returning yet. Did you ease back in early on or give yourself some dedicated time off?

If you breastfed, did you pump or take breaks to nurse? I only work part-time so breaks might seriously cut into my time but pumping seems like so much extra work. And I would still need to take a break to pump, right? I didn't start working until DD was closer to a year and even then it was during naps/nights as I was very part-time.

Thanks!

[Rowansmama]

Originally Posted by AJHCFamily

Some questions:
How long did you take off of work? I've told my project manager I'm pregnant but haven't discussed details with taking off/returning yet. Did you ease back in early on or give yourself some dedicated time off?

I went back to work with DD #1 when she was 5 months old. I didn't have childcare and worked during her two naps, and for an hour or two each evening. I didn't ease back in - just went back to my normal schedule.

I'm due with #2 in March, and will be going back when the baby is 6 months old.

Originally Posted by AJHCFamily

If you breastfed, did you pump or take breaks to nurse? I only work part-time so breaks might seriously cut into my time but pumping seems like so much extra work. And I would still need to take a break to pump, right? I didn't start working until DD was closer to a year and even then it was during naps/nights as I was very part-time

I never pumped with DD#1. I just fed her as needed. But then, I didn't have any childcare to worry about, so she was home with me all day anyway. Pumping seemed like a lot of work to me too!

This time around, I'm not sure what I'll do. My husband will be home on parental leave until the baby is about 9 months old. After that, I'm thinking DD#1 will be going to preschool part time and I'm going to try to hire an in-house nanny part time to look after the little one. I haven't figured out the logistics of all this yet

Good luck...working at home is challenging with a little one, but so worth it to me!

[greenemami]

Well, my situation is a little different, in that I usually only work when dp is home or after dd is in bed-she will be nearly three when my baby is born, as well. I haven't really discussed the pregnancy/leave with my employer as of yet-I plan to do that this month. I will only be asking for a month off, as I do not work set hours and it is a sit-down job, plus financially that is all we can swing. I do plan on easing back in though.

I am not planning on pumping at first-after a couple of months, I would like dp to be able to take the kids out for 1-2 hours, so we may try a bottle. However, one of the benefits of WAH to me is that I can still nurse when needed/be there for both kids if something comes up.

[Lilly Milly]

I've WAHM full time since my LO was 12 weeks. Well, technically, I work at my MIL's house where she keeps the baby and cousin downstairs. I didn't ease in officially, but I probably did somewhat since in the early days I would make sure MIL and my LO were doing okay, talked about how to do things, etc., spending more time downstairs than I do now.

I feed her when she is ready to eat which was approximately every 3 hrs at first but now is more like 4 hours (so now only twice during workday at 4mo). I never put her on a strict schedule, just a routine, which helps a LOT so that I know approx. when my breaks will be, to schedule meetings around, etc. I think pumping takes a lot more time considering the washing, storing, etc. It has been very easy for me to just feed her and hand her back to MIL (though sometimes I sneak in some playing). She eats fast though and only "hangs out" on the boob once in a while.

If you are part time, you could probably work it out so you feed her before working and then only once during. Then feed her after you're done. I wouldn't bother pumping personally unless you have to be in conference calls or something (I have expressed milk in the freezer just in case for this situation).

For me, it has been great. I feel like I have "help" with the baby care and still get to bf and keep a job that I really like.

Good luck to you!

[AJHCFamily]

Originally Posted by Lilly Milly

It has been very easy for me to just feed her and hand her back to MIL (though sometimes I sneak in some playing). She eats fast though and only "hangs out" on the boob once in a while.

If you are part time, you could probably work it out so you feed her before working and then only once during. Then feed her after you're done. I wouldn't bother pumping personally unless you have to be in conference calls or something (I have expressed milk in the freezer just in case for this situation).

Thanks for your response. So it sounds like your DD didn't have trouble with separating after her feeding? I guess having that routine from 3months probably? How old is DD now? Did it get harder as she got older and realized you were there (not that she didn't know that earlier on, but realized even more...know what i mean)?

[Lilly Milly]

I'm so sorry it has taken this long to respond! Hopefully you will check the thread again.

No, she doesn't have a problem separating. I think the routine of it helps and also my MIL is good about seeing it as her responsibility to calm her down if neccessary. They are very connected so DD doesn't seem to mind at all. I could see it being a little harder with DH, but I've tried to let him work out any problems and not take over, but just offer tips. Same with MIL.

The routine evolved over the first couple weeks. We really weren't on a routine during maternity leave, but it evolved pretty easily. We try to be pretty flexible though so it can change if needed.

She is now 5 mo, so it's not like I have a ton of experience. Sorry! I am hoping she continues to do well going back to MIL, and I am trying to not play with her too much (AS HARD AS THAT IS ) during work hours. So far so good. I am hoping with consistency it will just be the way it is to her and not something she is missing. It is hard, but I feel it is the best way to be near her (and feed her) long term.

[AJHCFamily]

Originally Posted by Lilly Milly

I'm so sorry it has taken this long to respond! Hopefully you will check the thread again.

Don't worry! I'm here. Thanks so much for the response. Last time around, I felt "ready" to have childcare and work again around 6 months, but that seemed to be a time when separation anxiety started and much higher sense of awareness of where mom is. I start back earlier this time around, and I think it will make the transition easier on the LO.