I’m currently on maternity leave. Is it unfair that i am the one doing all the night wakeups (we currently sleep in separate rooms i sleep w baby) plus staying at home with the baby all day? I understand i am not working but it has started to feel unfair and i have started to resent my spouse. Any tips on addressing this?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Move back to the same room and split the night routine. You are both working full time during the day.

like

Separate advise from the night shift....

Literally try to sleep as much as possible during the day. Everything else be damned. Everytime baby sleeps, lay down and try to sleep.

like

You will resent him for the rest of your marriage if you don’t fix this

like

I’d recommend shifts at night. One of you is “on call” 9pm - 2am, then the other one is on call 2am to 7am. Other person gets uninterrupted sleep during that time.

Pump milk for husband to feed during his shift. Either sleep in the same bedroom or switch off on spare bedroom in the middle of the night. You’re so close to baby sleeping through the night. Another 1-2 months! My husband and I struggled with the same issue. The shifts should continue through sleep regressions as well.

Ultimately what’s fair is you and your husband getting an equal amount of downtime and sleep. Taking care of baby = work.

My other recommendation is to do chores while baby is awake (I used to plop mine in his bouncer or carrier) so that his nap times were my true downtimes. Also as long as your baby is fed and in a safe place it’s ok to put them down to shower and take care of yourself even if they’re fussing. I used to drag a bassinet or the bouncer into the bathroom and have a quick shower every day. It was a non negotiable for me.

like

Address it asap. He works during the day, you’re ‘working’ too to take care of the baby. We’ve always split evenings and nights because everyone needs a decent block of sleep to be ready for the next day.

like

If it’s within your budget I highly recommend getting a night nurse 1-2 nights week

like

That helps but I will say if husband isn’t understanding his responsibility, outsourcing it won’t fix the problem. It’ll just be a (super helpful) bandaid.

like

Talk it out and come up with a compromise. Start with one night during the work week and one night on the weekends that he stays on baby duty and say that you need time out of the house as well without the baby ❤️

like

I’m also on maternity leave and my husband handles night wake ups. When he goes to work in the morning, our nanny comes to help me during the day. I think your partner needs to do better, you literally just gave life to a human.

like

If you don’t address it now, it will continue as the baby gets older. Ask me how I know.

like

I just returned from mat leave as well.
My husband did the night shift the whole time, even when i was nursing, he would get up to change the baby and put the baby back to sleep. When we shifted to pumping/bottle feeding, he did all the night shifts even though i was getting up to pump. He would also take over childcare whenever he was done with work. We would take turns cooking/caring for the baby in the evening.
Even then i felt exhausted during the day when it was non stop care taking. It really wears you down, esp if you are pumping/nursing as well. And even with so much balance, my baby still had a slight preference for me at times which made it harder for my husband. I suggest talking to your husband and figuring out what a better balance is so he can also feel confident with the baby

like

Are you nursing? If so, then its totally fair.
And during the week, you can take a nap when the baby does. He cannot. However, ask him to take Friday and Sat nights. Phrase it has a gift for him to bond with his child.

I am wondering how this arose? Is this cultural (that you sleep in the infants room), did you start doing it out of convenience? Did he suggest? ( rarely happens but does)

You need to have a discussion. Good chance that if you moved out of the bedroom for convenience, he may be feeling left out.

Also know this is a short period of time. You are tired. Sleep whenever your baby does.

There is no correct answer. Me, I didn't mind and since I was nursing it was much easier for me, versus him having to warm up a bottle. For the most part, we started in the same room and I got up if she woke and then stayed on the day bed in her room.


1st question
Where is the baby? In the master with you? If you are not sleeping in the same room, you are getting no benefit from your husband not being there, and he is getting minimal. He likely still hears you get up and move around the house, but goes back to sleep. He can do that from the master.

If men haven't been around babies before. They can feel very lost, and if the baby is always with you, he/she may be fuzzy when handed off. Don't be too quick to take them back. It sends the I'll just do it, it's easier signal.

What do you ask him to do? He has no idea what needs to be done. Babies don't come with owner manuals. Moms figure it out trial by fire. He doesn't know the baby needs to be changed. So ask him to do it. (although mine never did- the whole little girl thing threw him).

Time to eat? Ask him to fix the bottle and feed her. The more you involve him, the more he will do.

Every dad in my neighborhood is out pushing strollers after dinner this time of year. And early Sat and Sundays Easy ask. No instructions needed.

Do you make a big deal to the baby when he comes home? Look Daddy is home! Not saying shove a baby in his hands before he changes clothes ( unless he wants) but start the positive association...Daddy =yeah! Especially if he travels, also show his picture and talk about him when he is away.

If you need a night off, say. I really need to sleep a whole night ( but you probably won't) can you do baby duty tonight?

I would at least have him stay with you Friday and Sat nights. You need to connect to him. Part of the resentment brewing may not be him not doing more, it may be feeling disconnected. More hugs are needed for everyone.

And ask him to do other nonbaby things, that prior to now wasn't in his wheelhouse. While it may be obvious to you, if it hasn't been his job in the past, unless he is super husband it won't occur to him. And to be far, would it occur to you it's time to change the oil in the car, or time for the annual heater check if those had never been on your do list.

Do not be mad because he can't read your mind. You didn't come with an owner manual either.

Not okay. You are both working when he is working and you should both be on duty and ensure the other has some downtime when he's not working. Right now he's working his 8-10 hour day and you are expected to be 'on call' for all 24 hours. Your 'job' is caring for the baby when he is at work. And he should be a real parent when he's home after work - do things together, take turns, split the load, etc. That's a load of garbage that you should be doing everything because you aren't "working."

What has your spouse said when you shared that you feel the current set-up is unfair? This should be a conversation when you are both relatively well-rested. He should take 3 nights and you should take 4. And hopefully the baby will be sleeping through the night by the time you go back. Please be careful as he's already showing you that he views your job to do the heavy kid lifting in terms of time and responsibilities, and it sounds like you are hoping for more of a equal parent. I would have these conversations (with a counselor if it doesn't go well on your own) as soon as possible before habits get even harder to change.

Related Posts

If I am searching for an external audit position as a senior associate in public accounting particularly in the healthcare industry what is a competitive wage? Currently I am 1 year in as a senior associate at a top 5 firm and making less than 80k. I do not have my CPA yet but working at it. I have 3 exams left to pass.

likefunny

One bite of bitter melon as a kid; I refuse to eat it to this day! 🤢

Post Photo
likefunny

My utilization went to 50 in IBM, I think I have taken paternal leave since it went down. My manager put my as PIP improvement goal in checkpoint.
Need to know how to bring this up and is that my job is under risk? Band 7b

like

I’m trying to land a job in healthcare administration. I have my master’s degree, but I have only 2 years of professional experience. The jobs I have seen ask for 5+ years of experience, is experience weighted more than my masters? Is it about paying dues before landing a job? Or am I looking at the wrong places?

Are new recruits eligible for mobile phone reimbursement within one month of joining? I understand that it needs to be configured first.

like

Fly day horror story...screaming child 😩

like

Is Microsoft hiring for candidates with a healthcare background?

like

Looking to pivot out of a top pharma marketing/ad agency and into consulting. Ultimately want to leverage both experiences to move client side or to a healthcare start up.

What are the best firms for this type of transition and why?

like

Should I transition to a tech sales job? Thoughts on risk vs reward? I am 34 yo, married with a baby incoming. I work at Google Cloud in solutions engineering (I help develop quantitative business cases with sales teams for customers). My cash base + bonus is $220k (going to ignore equity). I have an MBA from the University of Chicago, not that it matters much in sales. I have always been in a consulting role but I think I can make more in sales. I have a competitive personality and I am bored.

like

Hoping to get my PHR in the next year or so. Outside of employer reimbursement, are there other opportunities for this to get funded? I know SHRM Foundation offers scholarships for the CP, but I am looking for PHR specific help. Thank you! :)

Here’s one for your Cinco de Mayo celebration tomorrow! 🇲🇽 Tequila Mockingbird! This is a delicious cocktail and one of my favorites. If a watermelon jolly rancher and hot tamale had a baby, it would be this drink. Definitely having this one tomorrow. What is your 5 de Mayo drink of choice?

Post Photo
like

Hi Fishes, I joined FIS global Pune recently. What are benefits of National pension scheme - employer contribution at FIS ? Any idea?

Also where we can use meal card?


FIS

Offer included temporary housing and moving expense reimbursement…it’s been a month since I began working and 2 months since I started moving but still no reimbursement…should I escalate this? How long is too long?

like

What are benefits of working with a content strategist on a project?

What are strong must-have traits of a good content strategist?

Trying to build a case for my agency to hire our first CS!

like

Hi,

KPMG has mentioned in offer that they shall provide reimbursement for purchase of home computer for 1L once every 3 years

Is this right???

like

Europe!
What is reasonable salary growth coefficient when going from FTE to consultant?
My current reasoning is 2x as
* We get 100% parental leave for 6 months in current company
* Risk mitigation

I have never been a consultant before, what other factors should one consider?

like

Hey Portland!!!
Wondering cost of living in and around portland?
I’m thinking about moving from SF to Portland for a great job salary starting around 90k. I’m 30 years old with 1 child who lives with his mother.

like

Need some advice. Currently 32 YO with $23.7k in student loans, $60k in retirement, and $54k in cash. Want to pay off loans by end of year, max out 401k, and save for a house. Does it make sense to use $10k from pension to pay down loans and the rest from cash? How much should I have in my 401k by this point?

like

Which of the Big 4 is best for a new MPH grad looking for their first time role healthcare related, esp project management focused? (Assume east coast)

like

More Posts

Can someone give some input on the difference between an Underwriter and an Underwriting Analyst? I'm finding a lot of companies use this title synonymously.

like

PwC India and PwC US

Which is better?
What are the advantages of joining PwC US.

Please help me to understand it

like

Any travel opportunities at Tredence?

like

Have an explorative call tomorrow with Amazon for a Sr Financial Specialist, Catalyst - FSI Angler. Anyone know the comp range on this?

likesmart

Hi, this is mostly a question for account management and strategists. I’ve been in advertising for a while, and am back in this market after working in others. The main thing I’m noticing that is driving me bonkers is the lack of client talent here. Across the portfolio I oversee it is very rare to get a client that understands how to brief an agency partner (creative or media or pr); there is limited capacity to really focus on objectives other than tactical KPIs.
Is this common/any advice?

like

I have joined cts US in 2015. Moved to cts India in 2018. What is the notice period if I resign now in cts ?

like

new to the bowl, just saying hi!

like

Please help me with below

My DOJ is 30th Oct22

Post Photo
like

Hey Fishes Looking out for a job change and came across vacancies at Deloitte India as per my profile and experience. Can someone kindly help me with the referral. That'll be great help. Have been trying from a long time to switch but nothing fruitful yet. Your referral might make the job hunt a bit easier so kindly help. Yoe: 3.3 Profile: SAP SD associate consultant Immediate joiner
Deloitte India
Thanks in advance for your help.

like

Is there anyone in this bowl who has switched to GSK from ZS. I have few questions. Won't waste much of your time. Please let me know if we can connect over DM.

Thanks :)

like

If you’re at a small creative agency that mostly does project work, does that mean you’re perpetually pitching?

like

Anyone have any luck going client side? What are your tips/successes when approaching the transition?

How is Ambit Asset Finance project from learning perspective? Asking since everything is internal. Internal frameworks and stuff. And since it's a huge project, people just get to work on chunks of it. How is it if you move out of FIS after working in this project?

Hi Fishes,
I have an offer from Nagarro So Anyone know
How are the project in Nagarro for Java Spring Boot Stack.

Thanks in Advance.

like

Hello all

Does Airbus revise offer on sharing a counter offer?

TIA🙂

like

Opinion on Quinn? (Would prefer an opinion from people who actually work there and aren’t just bitter from opposing them)

like

Who are some good, small scrappy agencies in the digital space? Asking for an in-house friend

like

Feels like the world is ending and every door is closed. Couldn't even breathe. Want to find a room and lock myself in and cry

like

If Kanye becomes president then I can get into MBB. All things are possible.

likefunny
like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal