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Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I'm going back to work soon, and I'm getting nervous! Is there anything I can do before the big day to make the transition easier? 

Re: I'm going back to work soon, and I'm getting nervous! Is there anything I can do before the big day to make the transition easier? 

The Bump Expert There's enough to get used to being a new mom... add your busy job back into the mix, and it's a recipe for utter chaos. Make your transition from new mom to working mom less stressful with these helpful hints:
 
Practice your morning routine. During the two weeks after my nanny started and before I went back to work, my husband and I did "dry runs" of what our mornings would be like getting ready for work. Who got up with the baby? What was the showering schedule? Who was on kid-sitting duty when? What things needed to be in order before we left for the day? We tried our routine and tweaked what wasn't working without the stress of worrying that mommy would be late on her first week back. By the time I returned for real, we were old pros!
 
Do some pre-work pampering
. If you lived in a velour track suit and barely brushed your hair during maternity leave like me, you'll probably want (and need) to treat yourself to some pampering before making your debut as a working mom. You'll be surrounded on your first day with welcomes and questions from co-workers, and you'll feel more  confident about returning to work if you look -- and feel -- great. Get your hair cut, a mani and pedi, or even a new outfit for your first day. This is like a coming out party -- go all out and have fun!

Nest Lori | May 12 , 2009 4:08 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

Good Luck, and let me know how it goes, due to finances, I too will be returning to work soon after the baby.

BrideBritt88 | April 01 , 2010 11:38 AM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I went back when LO was 8 weeks- and it is REALLY hard at first. What helped was I started work on a Thursday. Then only worked three days the following week and four days the third week. I also pump so I brought a blanket that smelled like LO to comfort me during those first few weeks (during the pumping sessions) because I found it was hardest during those quiet times. It doesn't really get easier to leave but it does get more manageable! Hang in there!

loveshockey53 | June 04 , 2010 10:38 AM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I started back part time. I also put tons of pictures of my son in my office space at work! I chose a child care that has an "open door policy" so I can go and visit him whenever I want, which helps on days I get the blues. It's not easy, so be sure to talk about your feelings with somone (spouse preferred) and make sure you take time to snuggle your baby every day. Until the transition happens, visit child care with your little one and play and get to know the teachers in the room. If your little one is staying with family, take the opporunity for babysitting during the day and go get some errands done. Good luck! It will get easier, but it will never be easy. I cried for about a month before returning to work, and still get teary eyed. You'll be ok mama!

konorsmama | August 31 , 2010 2:52 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I will be returning after the birth of my second child and I am definitely nervous about how the routine will go. My husband leaves for work at least an hour and a half before I have to leave and now I will also be adding dropping my older child off at preschool. I have determined that the only way to get things done efficiently is to get up when my husband gets up and try to do some of the stuff in the evening before going to bed. Eventually things will get easier and I will be able to sleep a little longer when the baby starts sleeping through the night.

Cartersmom06 | August 31 , 2010 4:17 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I had to go back to work when my baby was 12 weeks old. Luckily, my hubby is able to take him to his babysitter, but here are some things that help me: we plan out our dinner menu on Sunday and do all of our shopping Sunday afternoon. Having a menu is one less thing you have to worry about then during the week. I also get everything ready for me, and the baby, the night before. I also called the sitter several times during the first week, just to make sure everything is going well. Trust me, it gets easier, and you will be fine :o)

BooBoo123 | September 02 , 2010 12:35 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I don't think you can emotionally prepare for the day you go back. The night before I didn't want to put my daughter to sleep and the next day I felt so guilty I was sobbing. By the time I got to work I was fine and my parents sent me text photos to know that she was ok and happy. I've been back a little over 2 months now and am fine. I have her pictures everywhere on my desk (screensaver slide show/desktop background, on my bulletin board) Sometimes I get a little sad at night if she falls asleep earlier than usual, but I know me working is the right thing for all of us so I don't dwell on it. Also, I take comfort that our daughter is exposed to different people and places during the day rather than just be with me in the same house all day, that can only be good for her development. Practically, you can prepare by getting yourself ready as much as possible the night before, packing hte bag, picking out everyones clothes, etc. Also get yourself a haircut/color, manicure and bring lots of pictures because you will get a lot of attention when you go back. Everyone will be coming to see you, ask for pictures and maybe taking a peek at your post baby belly-so make sure you feel like you look good. That will make it much more comfortable.

Julesy113 | September 13 , 2010 1:43 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

Definitely test out your morning routine. I found things that I had overlooked. It certainly helps you to streamline. The saying, "Practice makes perfect", comes to mind. Good Luck.

abmomma | October 06 , 2010 11:49 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I just returned to work this week after 8 weeks home with my baby boy. I have am gone for almost 10 hours everyday. I'm so worried that my baby will forget about me or not find comfort in me because during his awake times during the day someone else is comforting him and playing with him, then by the time I get home in the evenings he is sleepy. Also, the last two days when I get home and hold him to talk and play with him he acts so uncomfortable and doesn't laugh and smile until I have been home for 2-3 hours, which by that time is close to his bedtime. Before I came back to work, he would smile and coo every time I talked to him. When will he start to recognize me when I get home, or is 10 hours straight every day too long for him to remember me?

bretreva518 | October 08 , 2010 1:01 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I went back to my (awesome) part-time job after only 5 weeks' maternity leave -- went by fast! Since we are exclusively breastfeeding, I bought a Medela Freestyle pump which is very small compared to the others out there, and pack it in a cute bag. Best to pack that the night before! Also: order yourself a spare set of pump parts and keep that at the office for emergencies. I've already phoned hubby once to have him go to Target and buy emergency flanges. Drag! Also I keep plenty of Lansinoh milk storage bags in a drawer at work, and a QuickClean bag for stashing the dirty pump parts in. Keeps me from having to wash them at work. My favorite accessory is a Simple Wishes hands-free bustier -- you can even wear it over a nursing bra if you're careful :) Makes pumping faster and hands-free.

atomicemmy | March 01 , 2011 10:11 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

Well, I guess just make sure you plan for extra time to get ready.. almost all moms including myself cry while getting ready or on your way to work. I went back to work when my baby was 12 weeks old. Lucky for me her dad got to stay at home with her... which made me extremely jelous. I have now figured out-- I have it easy compared to him. Good luck-- it gets easier every day.

TLBoylan | May 17 , 2011 4:41 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I just came back to work last week and it was hard! I cried after leaving LO at daycare and that first day anytime someone would ask me about baby I would tear up. But it's gotten easier since then, although I still hate it when it's morning b/c I want to spend my days with my LO, but due to finances I gotta work! Good luck!

December29LatinaBride | June 08 , 2011 3:45 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

Maybe I'm just different, but i didn't find it AS hard to leave my baby and go back to work... i love the daycare she is in (she is 1 now, she started going at 3 months), and i found that the time apart really helped us to appreciate eachother more when we were together again. It's good for her to socialize with other babies/toddlers, it's a normal part of life as you grow. The feeling i get when i go to pick her up and she drops her toy and runs to me with a big smile warms my heart, and it's always cute to have little paintings and crafts to hang on the fridge that she made "at school"... :) It makes me feel like a good Momma because she's happy and socializing and I'm still able to bring in some income to make sure we have everything we need and even some things we want... Good luck with your transition, i hope it isn't too hard on you!

Jillibean85 | June 23 , 2011 1:17 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

i went back to work when my daughter was about 10 weeks old and it was hard. i wanted to cry a lot on the first couple of days after i dropped her off but that got better once i saw how much fun she had at daycare and how calm she was there. i just... i think i'm going to quit my job because i feel like she's sick a lot since she started daycare and i can't stand it. any good ideas for night jobs?

Nelsons2010 | June 27 , 2011 12:04 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I have a two year old son that keeps me extremely busy during the day while my husband works full-time as a warehouse worker with a well known compay. I came to the realization that for my household, it is more cost effective to care for my own child saving myself child care cost and fuel for work commute. So I decided to do that @ home thing but still looking for the right opportunity. Some products that I have tried, have worked but still looking. P.S. I found a site that provides info and software downloads for different @home businesses (my favorite was the get paid to "babysit" your own child and others from home). http://www.cbmall.com/c/business-investing/small-biz-entrepreneurship

bterry11 | July 18 , 2011 3:10 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

My 6 weeks maternity leave turned into 3 weeks maternity leave. Fiances were terrible due to me having to take the two weeks before I delivered off because of pre-term labor. As it was I delivered two weeks early. We had been expecting the additional income to get us caught up and set some money aside, that I would have had, had I been able to work until my actual due date. After being home 3 weeks with a newborn that didn't want to sleep unless held, breastfeeding every 2 hours, and lacking a significant amount of sleep I decided to switch to formula and go back to work. As an EMT I don't have time to pump breastmilk, which made the transition easier, because my babysitter was able to take care of LO without worrying about running out of bottles for him to eat while I was working a 12 hour shift. I skipped back to work-literally. I found work for me, though stressful somedays because of what my job entails, was a much needed break. A time where I was just me, doing what I did pre-baby. It's not that I don't enjoy being a Mommy, it's that I enjoy my job and my son and I have to give each a part of me day in, day out. You may find going back to work actually relieves stress.

MommySept13 | October 22 , 2011 3:17 AM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

It is very difficult when you have to get back to work soon after you've gave birth. I am one of those Working Mothers and I can't tell you how difficult was for me to return to work after just a week since I gave birth. I work in the media and I couldn't afford the luxury to stay home with my newborn more than a few days. At the beginning I was very nervous at work but my co-workers were very comprehensive. But finally I've got accustomed after a few weeks and I understood that I have to make some sacrifices for my baby's well-being.

ArianaRobles | January 09 , 2012 12:33 AM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

I think that maybe you can try to create Invoice Template.I know that it is hard and you need money because a child has needs and you need to satisfy them.I hope you find a good job which gives you plenty of time to stay with your little one.

Kinmalfroy | March 30 , 2012 1:42 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

Going to work after maternity could be hard because you will be separate for few hours from your baby.My sister it`s work addicted, she got a job right after she graduated mba in operations management and now she is addicted to her baby and found hard to go back to work.

ioana06 | April 07 , 2012 1:50 AM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

And still want to continue giving BM? Health advocates say, when possible, BM is best, and should be given exclusively up to 6 months. But this advice is easier said than done when returning back to work before 6 months. And what if you wish to continue even longer? Giving BM on demand, considered the best method of feeding by health professionals, also not easy considering most children will be given daycare in a group setting, and out of necessity, a schedule will be implemented. Luckily, I had great support from a daycare provider who, even though after nearly a decade of experience had not had a mother who continued to give BM, was willing to work with me with all the bumps along the way. Here is the system we devised. I would pump around the same time as feeding would typically occur (every 3 hours), to supply the next day’s milk. If baby seemed still hungry, she would top up with formula as needed (since pumping is usually not as effective as direct feeding – this was definitely my case). And do not feel guilty about giving formula; some BM is better than none! Not exclusively giving BM does not make you a bad mother, but trying to continue giving BM (even when you are away) makes you an EXCELLENT mother. It’s just not worth the stress, which can in fact, can further hurt your milk supply. When with baby full time (for instance, on weekends), go bottle free as much as possible to keep the supply up. Weekends are also a good time to re-stock some frozen stores, to use when pumping just isn’t possible during the work day.

kgerrow | April 26 , 2012 4:29 PM

Q&A: Going back to work after maternity leave?

It is very hard for a mother to get back to the work in a very short time after giving birth.I am working in the TV commercial production field and I gave birth one month ago to a beautiful girl.Unfortunately two weeks after that I had to go back to work and it was very difficult for me but I am having a very good boss who created a special room for babies at the television company and the nanny comes every day and brings my child in order to breastfeed her and to spend more time with my little girl.

suniscomming | May 18 , 2012 2:20 AM