BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

I might have the opportunity to do some work from home and to get paid for it while I am on maternity leave. This would be tremendously helpful to my family financially speaking. This is my first baby and I'm just really not sure about how much time I actually will have to work in the first 12 weeks, especially weeks 5-12. If I say that I think I can handle 15 hours of work from home per week, do you think I am being crazy and that there is no way I'll have 15 hours? I'm a lawyer and this work would likely involve drafting papers and researching.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

You'll have time for 15 hours of work. Babies sleep a lot as newborns, so your free time is basically doing laundry, cleaning bottles and resting yourself.

This could change of course if baby is colicky or a bad eater, but generally speaking, I think you'll be able to do 15 hours easily-especially bc you'll only have 1 baby at home. A baby and a toddler, I'd say no.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

My experience with DS was a little different. I was always led to believe that babies sleep often and therefore I would have a ton of time on my hands. My DS did have colic but he also slept in short little spell which I found gave me time to throw on a load of laundry and, if lucky, use the bathroom. I EBF for the first two months and felt when I wasn't BF I was pumping,which gave me a chance to flip through a magazine for a few minutes, or doing some other baby prep. I'm due again in July and though I know each baby is different I am anticipating things may be very much the same.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

Will you have 15 hours? Yes. Will you have 15 hours to do quality research/drafting? I'm not sure - it depends on SO many things. I'm saying that in my experience as a mom and as a lawyer. I feel like I wouldn't have been able to focus enough to work from home while I was out on materinty leave. HOWEVER - I have a very hard time working from home in general. In order to do stuff like research/drafting I need to focus and get in a zone. I just cant do that at home, with the baby around. Other people can (and do). Things *I* think it depends on:
1 - the temperment of your child (NO way to predict)
2 - your own ability to focus/tune out distractions
3 - your DH (or someone's) willingness to help out
4 - your ability to function professionally on little sleep (this may or may not be a factor based on #1)

I think the key here is #3. Will your DH help you out by allowing you a block of time free from distraction a certain number of days per week (whether it's every day for 2 hours, or whatever). If so, I'd say go for it.

I'm just sort of throwing out there what I think would have worked for me if I was presented with your situation. I hope this helps in some way.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

I think it really depends on you and your baby. Honestly, I would NOT have wanted to have had to worry about anything other than taking care of my DD in those first few weeks.........and she was a super easy baby.

I was sooooo tired a lot of the time, especially until she started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks. Before that, I slept a lot throughout the day when she napped since I was up a lot at night. When I got out of that routine of napping with her I was trying to work out my routines for cleaning, cooking, laundry, showers, etc. while she slept. I honestly felt that I had very little time for myself or to do much else other than take care of my DD early on.

I personally wouldn't want to commit to anything, especially since this is your first........it's such an adjustment. Between being tired, working out your routines, and other possible issues like a fussy or colicky baby you may be kicking yourself for committing to doing work for someone else in those early weeks. You really should focus on your baby and yourself. I am telling you, you're going to be worn out.

Obviously, the answers you get will really vary depending on each person but looking back on my first baby...........it's just not something I would've wanted to worry about a few weeks after giving birth. Good luck with your choice.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

It totally depends on the baby. I could have done it, DD was easy slept and nursed. I have good friends that had different experiences. Do you have help? Your mom or someone? How involved is your DH will he be waking up to do feedings, are you solely planning on breastfeeding? I think all of these things will impact how much time you have. I solely breastfed, but my DH was pretty involved and I could have always had my mom come over and sit with the baby for a little.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

def depends on baby

with my twins if i just had her..def could

if just him,no way he is a crier

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

My DD was extremely fussy and colicy. I barely had time to shower let alone work. There is no way to predict what your babies needs and temperament will be. I qoul very reluctant to commit myself to anything prior to the baby being born. You just don't know if the baby will be easy, content, sleep well etc. or if the baby will cry all day, sleep horribly and need to be held all day. Every baby is different. Plus YOU will be exhausted! I had a had time even holding a simple conversation.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

I can only comment on the first 2 weeks - and there is no way I could successfully live up to a work commitment like that.

True, babies sleep a lot, but for me, you can't predict when or how well. Sometimes she is alert in between feedings and I have to keep her occupied for up to 2 hours. Other times she is out cold. I am feeding every 3 hours in the day and a feeding/burping/change/settle down takes a solid hour. That gives me at most 2 hours before I have to feed her again.

She isn't the best sleeper so far, so I am awake most of the night. I'm not the best napper so I feel like a zombie most of the day. There really is no way that I have felt up to doing something professional or something that requires brain power. I am just trying to stay on top of the thank you notes for all the baby gifts and that is even a mental struggle. I try to sneak in at least one nap during the day, but its tough.

With this work thing, if you don't complete the 15 hours the first 1-3/4 weeks, do you have to make up that time? For example, if you miss 2 weeks, do you have to make up that 30 hours worth of work? If so, I think it would be difficult to be able to do this.

Another question - are you going to have help at home? Are you breastfeeding? If you have help and you are formula feeding, you will have a lot more time. Even with DH here, I am breastfeeding so he can't help with that portion.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

Are the hours flexible? I work from home FT, set hours and my girls are almost 3 mo. I have them 2 afternoons and one full day. DH has them the rest. I have set hours but can sign on and off. Right now they are on a good feeding schedule where DH feeds in the am and they eat on my lunch break then when Im off work again. They nap well now too. I keep them with me in my office in their swings so I can keep an eye on them.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

It depends on the baby and it depends on the type of work.

Yes, the baby sleeps a lot. But it's not necessarily for long stretches of time that will allow you to really get into a good work groove. My type of work requires a good amount of concentration and focus which was NOT possible during my maternity leave. I barely had time to make myself breakfast because I had to hold and rock DD for most of the day for the first few weeks.

I don't think you can anticipate just how overwhelming (or easy) your new baby will be until he/she is here. Best to just wait until it's happening to make that kind of commitment if that's an option for you.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

If you have a fairly easy baby (no colick or other issues) I think you'll definitely have time for 15 hours a week. Especially if you have some help with the baby (DH or whoever)

Message edited 1/10/2013 11:14:15 AM.

Re: BTDT Moms: Advice about timing during first 3 months?

I say if you're an organized person and time things well yes. But you'll be REALLY sleep deprived, the time you spend working could be spend sleeping....lol
If it will help your fmaily financially then I say go for it, if you had other kids I would say no way.