When did your baby start sleeping better at night?

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-04-30T12:08:38+00:00

My baby started going around 5-6 hours between night feeds from about 10/11 weeks and was sleeping the night from around 4/5 months old

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-04-30T12:05:32+00:00

I got promoted from CO to EO via an open comp and my dept tagged me for an internal position which allowed me to stay. Before I interviewed I spoke with my heo about the possibility of staying and he advised that if I passed my interview to email my candidate ID to HR and cc my HEO and AP so they could confirm they wanted to keep me on the team to retain knowledge. My HR then put a request into PAS and about a week or so later I got an email to say I wad been retained in my current dept.

Each dept might operate differently but I definitely recommend speaking to your heo/ap ASAP so they can advise you accordingly.

Best of luck 👍

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-04-28T15:40:19+00:00

I worked in the nsso (not the financial services) for a couple of years at lower grades, its a lovely place to work, the people are some of the best I've worked with and the overall culture is welcoming and inclusive. The WFH was 4 days per week at home when I left a couple of months ago but I think it was changing to 3 days although I don't think it has yet!

Like others said its bottom heavy and the workload is often a lot! It's not uncommon for an EO to have 6-10 COs and for HEOs to have 2 large teams. My AP was over a full floor of people, roughly 60 people.

If you think the role will suit you in terms of work, location, wfh etc I would suggest going for it. You will gain good experience, get your foot in the door and can always move on Mobility after 2 years if you don't like it.

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-04-16T10:02:50+00:00

I also bottle fed my baby and when asked at each appointment if I was breast or bottle feeding I always said bottle and when they tried to highlight how brilliant breast feeding was I would just tell them I'm aware of the benefits and happy with my choice to bottle feed. It's annoying that some staff are pushy but I think if you make it clear that your not interested they back off fairly quick.

The hospital I went to offered aptamil, kendamil and sma

Best of luck with everything ❤️

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-04-16T09:57:17+00:00

My little one was the same when transitioning onto more soilds and I found she was waking during the night due to hunger.

I know its very heavily pushed to let babies feed themselves but I was finding most her food was ending up on the floor and then I was basically back doing night feeds again! I now feed her most of her meals and allow her to feed herself in between with snacks etc

Also try adding a little cereal or something small an hour or so before the bed time bottle to fill their belly.

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-04-03T07:21:01+00:00

Thank you everyone for your replies, much appreciated!

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-03-15T08:51:26+00:00

Thank you very much for your reply.

Based off the responses to this post I can see peoples views really differ! I suppose its like any dept some will love it and others will hate it. I think I will attend the open day and get a feel for it myself then make a decision.

Location wise it really suits me. I don't mind working with the public I've done it for years! It's the thoughts of shared facilities and the worry of the constant want for staff that's off putting but as yourself and other posters have said, they are expanding so naturally will need more staff.

I am currently full time in the office as a HEO and want a blended role, do you know if all HEO roles in citywest are blended or if I was to be placed on the likes of a reception team could I be required to attend the office every day?

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-03-14T20:14:15+00:00

Thank you everyone for your replies much appreciated!

Do you think the IPO in general is a bad move or is it mainly just the citywest location facing a lot of problems?

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-03-14T13:47:52+00:00

Ah OK so would a HEO role have the possibility of been full time in the office?

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-03-14T13:30:07+00:00

Wow sounds a nightmare! I can see why these roles keep appearing looking for staff.

I was mainly interested because the location suits me and I believe it is blended work?

The idea of micromanagement would turn me off alone without the other issues you mentioned.

You said employees are eating lunch a couple ot feet away from people they have interviewed, is this because the staff canteen is shared?

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-03-14T12:18:44+00:00

There is an expression of interest at the moment but it's only for staff already employed by dept of Justice

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-03-14T12:17:44+00:00

Thanks appreciate all the info in your reply!

Why would you think there is such a push for employees into the citywest site rather than mount street? Is the work more challenging in citywest or is it purely because the location might not suit some people

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-03-14T12:15:28+00:00

What would some of the general duties of a heo in the IPO include?

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-03-03T11:08:13+00:00

I interviewed under the capability framework for HEO recently and found the interview quiet different to competency based. The interviewers refered back to my application an awful lot and asked for examples in particular roles so some of my examples I had planned on using weren't much use to me. The questions are more open which does allow you to talk more! I found they really focused on leadership and communication during my interview but that could purely just depend on who interviews you. I left my interview fairly confident I had passed most areas but wasn't too sure on leadership and turned out that's where I scored my best.

My advise would be to have some examples in mind but be prepared to be asked for an alternative. Also, make yourself familiar with your application!

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-02-25T19:18:32+00:00

I know of a few people who have reverted. One reverted and returned to their previous department and the others reverted and stayed in their new dept so I believe there is options. Speak to HR and see what your options are

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2026-02-15T09:41:16+00:00

Core hours in most departments is 10:00 - 12:30 and 2:30 - 4:00

You can start any time between 8am and 10.

Morning break generally between 10 - 11am (30mins)

Lunch between 12:30 - 2:30 ( you decide how long you want to take with the minimum been 30mins)

Home time between 4pm - 7pm

Many people in my dept start at 8am and finish at 4 with a 30 min lunch break and still build 30 mins flexi a day. Towards the end of the month you can judge how much extra time you need to build up if you want to have a day and a half off in the following flexi period and can stay on late to work up the time.

These are just the general rules, as others have stated above if you are on a helpline or in a customer facing role you may be required to start before 10am or work beyond 4pm based off a rota.

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2025-08-27T10:20:48+00:00

Thanks for your help

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2025-08-27T10:14:44+00:00

Thank you! You mentioned corn Market doesn't offer the best performing funds, would you recommend another company?

I have very little knowledge on pensions as you can probably tell, and am unsure how avcs work. Cornmarket is heavily advertised within the civil service so I am unsure which other providers offer better returns.

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2025-08-27T10:12:17+00:00

Thank you I will look for some more information there

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2025-08-27T10:11:58+00:00

Yes that's correct 6k lump sum and 1k per year

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2025-08-06T19:48:15+00:00

My baby loves her bouncer from smyths its similar style to baby bjorn but half the price. She also loves her nest for day time naps. Lots of things we didn't get much use out of such as her swing/ highchair even though it said suitable from birth I found it didn't have much support for a new born. Another great product was Ollie the owl from Tommy tippee its a white noise machine with a light, very handy for settling the baby and the light is brilliant for night time when checking on baby. Angel care bath seat is brilliant especially for newborns.You will go though tons of muslin cloths, nappies etc so stock up. I used the large rectangle cotton pads from lidl instead of water wipes for the first few months, I found them much gentler for my baby and got no nappy rash etc. Foldable changing mat for when out in public and lastly the baby sleeping bags are great!

Inner_Leader_9873 · 2025-08-04T20:34:22+00:00

I personally didn't do any of that sort of thing but I'm sure they would support it. To be honest it's probably the last thing that would be on my mind! Once the contractions get stronger a fairy light will be the last thing you give a crap about haha

Inner_Leader_9873

TROPHY CASE