Tip and advice with Newborn and DH away

[dreamer80]

Morning,

My Husband is a VP of an IT company, and as such travels to development centres in Asia and the head office in the States on average 5 times a year and is usually away for 2-5 weeks at a time. Throughout our relationship and marriage this has never been a problem, we talk nearly every day and I am always kept buy with work and friends while he is away. We now have a little boy on the way, and my worry to caring for him alone for weeks at a time early on; my husband gets 3 weeks off when DS is born then he could or fly off at any time, in which I will be alone with a newborn, We will have a maternity nanny for the first 12 weeks working 3 x7hrs a week. But I am still scared.:(

How did you cope or what tips do you have for caring for a newborn whilst DH is away for work??

[Areca]

You'll be fine!
When hubby is home get some meals organised and freeze them so that on night's when cooking dinner just isn't going to happen you can just pull something out of the freezer. At least that way you'll get to eat!
Have a day nap, to help with the long nights! Easy to do with just one baby!
DH wasn't away when DD was born, but he went back to work the day after I came home from the hospital.
I never found keeping the house organised difficult. I know people do though, and if you're one of them then just let it go. As long as your DS and you have clothes to wear you'll be fine!
I found the hardest thing to do was to go grocery shopping. DD's feeding habits were really unpredictable and by the time we'd been shopping there wasn't time to unpack the groceries, a problem in summer! Make sure you have a sling of some sort and send DH off to buy up big on things before you go. Then you'll only need to re-stock your fruit/vegies/milk/bread etc. Much better than having to fit in a full grocery shop.
With a maternity nanny there to help you you'll be fine! Don't forget to ask friends/relo's for help if you need it!

[~Emmylou~]

I think you'll be fine too :)

You know, even those of us with DH's at home, or really helpful DH's, or both - still find that most of the care of a newborn falls on mums shoulders anyway especially if you're breastfeeding. It's just one of those things....

A few things I learned the hard way with my first one that you mind find helpful:

- Cook and freeze some food before the baby is born. I used to think "oh I'll just run out and grab takeaway if I dont' have time to cook" duh wrong! Childless person's thinking LOL. Somedays you can't get a shower let alone leave the house.

- Don't be afraid to bring the baby to bed with you, you won't spoil it and it makes night feeds a breeze. I only learned this with my second baby.

- Try to have at least one nap during the day when baby does.

I never really found my kids to be too difficult really as newborns/babies. It's toddlerhood that was the rude shock :laughing:

You'll do great :)

[mummyof5]

My DH went to the states for 5 months when my 2nd was 10 days old, and her big brother was 1 year and 1 day:eek: .
It wasn't as hard as you might think. Babies are easily transportable, they don't mind if you have to go shopping at 10pm, honest! As long as they have a full belly, clothes and clean pants, they'll do what works for you for the first 12 weeks or so. After that you need to be stricter with routine, but then you'll be an old hand by then too:yes: .
The idea of freezing meals is good, make sure you freeze them in one or two meal size portions though.
I showered with the baby at times, meant I got clean and so did she in one go, just wrapped her snuggly in her towel, put her on the bed, then dried and partly dressed, then attended to her. Worked well.
Since you will have the maternity nanny, don't be afraid to hand bubs over and get some sleep, have a bath or just take 5 mins to yourself. Helps keep you sane.
You'll be fine I think, and smart move thinking ahead for how you'll cope, :fingerscrossed: for it all.

[dreamer80]

Thank you Mummyof5, emmylou & ace1 :hugs:. Great advice! I guess if I am lost and confused I can consult Bub Hub!:yes:

[2s'nuff]

You'll be fine.

My advice is to go with the flow, don't feel bad about being in your PJ's mid afternoon and housework will always wait. And sleep, take as much as you can when you can.

[rat117]

i havent got any adive for you imsorry, but my parnter is going back in the army and i am in the same posion as you...lol i have three weeks to go... and i mite have to do it by myself... its a bit scary...... think positive and you will do fine..... he wants to go away to afgan to earn money for us.... which means if he comes back i wont be able to tALK to him for 12 months... its going to be hard....

anyway enough of me...good luck chicky..love rach south aust.

[kewlchicmum]

You'll be fine.

My advice is to go with the flow, don't feel bad about being in your PJ's mid afternoon and housework will always wait. And sleep, take as much as you can when you can.
I aggree with what mousebrown says:yes:

[Chub Chub]

I certainly agree with all the other posts but most importantly ask for help when you need it!

Ask a friend (or family not sure if they are close) to give you time off if you feel overwhelmed! My DH started working long shifts soon after DD was born and my Mum use to come over to listen out for bubs so I could catch up on sleep ever so often. It was a life saver. She would wake me up when she needed feeding and then after the feeding duties I would go straight back to bed. It was a regular thing but when I was super tired I would ring my mum. :thumbsup:

As everyone else said you'll be fine. I get the impression from your posts that you're pretty organised anyhow so Good Luck!