Going back to work after a baby
If your family finances demand that you’re to become a working mom, you’re more than likely planning your return to work while navigating a rollercoaster of emotions—from feeling guilty and anxious to excited and motivated. How do you manage your working mom work-life balance? If you’re wondering how to plan, what to say and what to ask your employer, our tips for going back to work after a baby will help you.
- Breastfeeding mom going back to work?
Just because you’re returning to work doesn’t mean you have to stop breastfeeding. Talk to your employer before you return. Say you need a clean, private place to express your milk. And when you do go back to work, block time out in your calendar so you’re not stressed or too busy to do it. - Choosing the right daycare
To help ease any working mom daycare guilt, do your research and make sure you’re happy with the childcare you have in place. When choosing childcare, ask around for recommendations, perhaps pay the premises a “surprise visit”, check reviews on them and, most important of all, trust your gut! If your mind is at rest, you’ll be able to more easily concentrate when you’re at work. - Requesting flexible working
If you can handle a reduction in your salary, you could ask your employer about job share, or reducing your hours or days. If that’s not an option, then put in a request for flexible working. You could ask for your hours to be staggered to fit with your childcare needs (an earlier start and an earlier finish, for example) or home working. Employers won’t want to lose good employees, so it’s in their interest to consider your request carefully. - Working moms: handle your work colleagues
If your working hours have changed, or you’ve reduced your working week, make sure your team realize that. Tell them all so as to manage their expectations and to ensure you don’t feel pressured into doing overtime or taking on tight deadlines that you won’t realistically be able to meet. When prioritizing your workload, remember to take into account your working hours. Don’t be afraid to speak up if something feels too tight or suggest more realistic deadlines. - Control working mom anxiety
Don’t be hard on yourself. This is going to be a massive change for you, so accept that it’ll take some time to adjust to your new routine. It could be good to ease yourself back into working to get into the swing of things. Ask your employer about a phased return. You could do reduced hours or days for the first month, for example, to ensure both you and your baby are coping and happy. - Seek out working mom support
Whether it’s a friend that’s in the same boat, working mom co-workers or a working mom support group, seek out a network of people you can talk to when it’s all getting too much, answer any of your questions, and basically sympathize with your situation. Don’t bottle up how you’re feeling. Your partner and family will also want to support you however they can, so don’t be afraid to shout if you need help.
Related articles
Coping with baby blues
Once your little one has arrived, it’s easy to forget about you—but a happy mom means a happy baby.
2 mins to read
New mom emotions
Having a baby and becoming a first-time parent is a massive emotional rollercoaster. Here are 10 emotions after giving birth that you may be experiencing.
3 mins to read
Lonely mom activities
Even with a wealth of online parenting forums and a baby in your arms, it’s easy to feel isolated and lonely as a mom.
4 mins to read
Signs of baby blues
Wondering how to know if I have postnatal depression? You’ve just birthed a human, your whole has been turned upside down, and you haven’t slept for what feels like an age.
4 mins to read
Food Allergy In Babies And Children
Dealing With Food Allergies In Babies And Children
3 mins to read
What You Need To Know About Child Immunization
Your Guide to Infant and Child Vaccines
3 mins to read
Important Baby Growth Milestones Between 0 To 6 Months
Baby Development: 0-6 Months
2 mins to read
HMOs: the third most abundant solid component in breast milk, to support your child's immune system
As a parent, you want to protect your child now and in the future. That includes shaping his or her immune system to make it strong.
4 mins to read
The protein in breast milk is one of the most important nutrients for babies
Babies develop rapidly and need relatively more protein than children and adults. Interestingly, almost every aspect of your baby’s growth is partly dependent on protein.
1 min to read
10 Things You Don’t Know About Breastfeeding
What All Moms-To-Be Need To Know About Breastfeeding!
2 mins to read
Helping Your Baby with Reflux Sleep!
Reflux And Sleep
2 mins to read
What should I eat when I am breastfeeding?
I am tempted to "eat for two", avoid cabbage and drink lots of milk. Am I on the right track or have I got it completely wrong?
3 mins to read
Diaper changing routine
You’re going to do a lot of diaper changing over the next few months, so here’s a helpful diaper-changing routine. Check it off and make every diaper change smooth like your baby’s bottom.
1 min to read
Importance Of Calcium In Your Child’s Diet
Calcium And Your Child
2 mins to read
Activities To Do With Your Infant
Activities For Babies: 0 to 6 Months
2 mins to read
Smart Ways To Use Pacifiers
How Should You Use A Dummy?
2 mins to read
How can I make sure my baby sleeps well?
When will my baby sleep through the night? Is it normal for my baby to wriggle when sleeping?
3 mins to read
Breastfeeding essentials
Planning to breastfeed but not sure what you’ll need? Here is a list of our first-time breastfeeding tips to help you prepare.
2 mins to read
Does My Newborn Baby Need Water?؟
Can Newborns Drink Water?
2 mins to read
