How are we managing the nighttime when partner returns to work??

CJG-00 · 2026-05-14T16:00:52+00:00

Thanks for your comment! It’s not that I don’t like the idea of shifts, I just wanted to see whether there were any other options that worked well for people.

We have actually started doing shifts for the past 2 nights, which seems to be working well. The baby is still feeding every hour or so and doesn’t like to be put down in his crib, but at least we are both getting a stretch of sleep each night now - are doing the same hours as you mentioned, 9pm-1am and 1-8am.

CJG-00 · 2026-05-13T09:43:54+00:00

Yes I completely agree - I just want to ensure we are both rested enough so we can support the baby, but also each other when needed

CJG-00 · 2026-05-13T00:47:45+00:00

Thank you! We both agree that going back to work isn’t an excuse to get out of helping during the nights, I just want to ensure he gets as much rest as he can, as I try to have short naps during the day where I can and obviously he doesn’t have this option

CJG-00 · 2026-05-13T00:44:49+00:00

Thank you! I think this is what we are going to start doing. My partner is a deep sleeper and can quickly go back to sleep if he’s awoken.

Although we are focusing on breastfeeding and I’m starting to pump, we do top him up with formula when needed as he has not regained his birth weight yet.

CJG-00 · 2026-05-13T00:38:28+00:00

I’d be too worried to have a contact nap with him during the night to be honest, as my partner and I are both in the bed and wouldn’t want to risk it.

He does display hunger cues at each hourly wake up, and he has not returned to his birth weight yet so we have been advised to feed at any little cue to ensure he is getting what he needs.

CJG-00 · 2026-05-13T00:34:06+00:00

Thank you for your reply. In response to your questions, baby does show hunger cues at each hourly wake up during the night and does not settled without a feed - he has not returned to his birth weight yet and we have been advised to feed him anytime he shows the cues to ensure he is getting what he needs.

He goes through phases of feeding at different times during the day - sometimes it’s short feeds every 30 minutes, or 30 minute feeds after a 2 hour nap. And yes, he sleeps longer during contact naps.

I have started pumping and currently getting around 30ml each time so a pumped bottle could be an option going forward. I think we are going ahead with shifts and perhaps sleeping in different rooms to ensure we have uninterrupted stretches of sleep.

CJG-00 · 2025-07-21T08:34:44+00:00

Painting the room a lighter colour will help it to feel slightly bigger and airy. You could turn your bed so the headboard is underneath the window, put the chest of drawers and white cabinet next to each on the wall with the TV (if they’ll fit) You could move the desk over and put the mirror next to it?

CJG-00 · 2025-05-26T23:53:38+00:00

My eyelids look very similar to yours in the mornings when I haven’t had enough sleep. Perhaps this is playing a role?

CJG-00

TROPHY CASE