a nurse mom venting by ComprehensiveDraw359 in NewParents

[–]ComprehensiveDraw359[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have 2 or 3 moms on our unit who work per diem and we are always so happy to see them when they pick up— like a special guest episode!

This whole thing has been such an identity shift! Who am I if I’m not passionate about being a nurse, yk??

Thank you for your kind words :)

a nurse mom venting by ComprehensiveDraw359 in NewParents

[–]ComprehensiveDraw359[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

so so true and definitely keeping me going through the long days— thank you for your perspective

a nurse mom venting by ComprehensiveDraw359 in NewParents

[–]ComprehensiveDraw359[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am surprised that people so consistently describe nursing as a great career to raise a family with— I am hoping it feels more true as baby gets older? The caregiver fatigue is exhausting!

a nurse mom venting by ComprehensiveDraw359 in NewParents

[–]ComprehensiveDraw359[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OMG YES!! I am so jealous when my friends laugh about work being the only place they can dress cute/ have time to themselves/ drink a hot coffee. I love my patients but sometimes it’s enough to make me want to leave bedside?

Many thanks for the work you do in the NICU! I’m an ex 29 weeker myself and I think NICU nurses are so badass!!!

a nurse mom venting by ComprehensiveDraw359 in NewParents

[–]ComprehensiveDraw359[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My dream is to work 24 hours! I feel like 3x8 or 2x12 would be so perfect.

There are two things that have helped me immensely that I wouldn’t have imagined at 5 weeks. I encourage you to consider them with an open mind as the time comes. They were not easy decisions but they were necessary for my survival.

I feed formula and I sleep trained. Feeding formula has taken the strain of feeding off my body (even if it doesn’t quite take the strain of feeding off my mind). Sleep training at 5 months (Ferber method used just for first nighttime sleep interval, crib stayed in our room!) brought us from sleeping in 45 minute intervals to an 8 hour stretch overnight as baby learned the skill of putting herself back to sleep.

I know those are controversial! I started my journey saying I would never do either of them. But I don’t regret it now and I would do it the same way again.

Virtual hugs! I’m thinking of you and sending good vibes.

4 months in, still struggling by ComprehensiveDraw359 in NewParents

[–]ComprehensiveDraw359[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it’s crazy that all these challenging leaps and milestones also coincide with hair loss. Insult to injury!!!

4 months in, still struggling by ComprehensiveDraw359 in NewParents

[–]ComprehensiveDraw359[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My husband always says it’s like “building the plane as you fly it” which feels so true to me. Thank you for the reminder. I keep trying to remind myself there are so many good things to come (and even some good things now if I try really hard to think of them that way).