Beautide, I didn't use childcare and it was tough. My house was rarely tidy let alone clean, it is only now really that I am managing to get on top of that side of things and DS is 1 1/2! I had good support from DH who would let me sleep if I was desperate, but he needed his sleep because he has to work in a job that he can't really be tired for. If we could have afforded one day a week childcare for DD I probably would have taken up the chance.