Tips For Returning To Work After Maternity Leave

Returning to work after baby’s arrival is a challenging time for all mamas.

You get more and more enthusiastic as the due date draws near. Parenthood’s exciting journey is just around the corner. Being a parent is a lovely, but hard, transition. Every restless night feels completely new while you’re learning how to parent. Some mothers find it unacceptable to return to work so soon.

The end of maternity leave is accompanied by a wide range of emotions, but planning beforehand can help you make the transition go more smoothly. For most new mothers, returning to work after maternity leave may be emotionally taxing and downright daunting.

Let’s look at how to handle the practical and emotional difficulties of returning to work after maternity leave. Here are some tricks and tips that we’ve seen to be helping Here are a few tips to help ease the your transition for some of the moms at Little Big World.

Before You Resume Work After Maternity Leave

Here are five strategies to help you prepare for returning to work:

1. Choose dependable childcare
   

   One of the hardest parts of returning to work is finding daycare. It’s best to start looking as soon as possible. Even while it may seem strange to start looking before your child is born, getting recommendations from friends and colleagues can help. Before you go back to work, conduct a few trial runs with your childcare provider. You may feel more at ease leaving your child with them as a result of this.

   Many daycare centres offer Live CCTV coverage or pics / videos sent time to time.

2. Create a feeding schedule for you and the infant
   

   Choose whether you want to breastfeed your child full-time, part-time, or use formula before you go back to work. If you decide to keep breastfeeding, you’ll need to pump at work in order to keep up your milk production and have enough milk for your baby when it needs. Else, you may chose a daycare right where you work so you could simply take a quick break from work and also give your baby that much needed mommy time

3. Take a look at flexible schedules
   

   To maintain a bond with their newborns, some new mothers choose to work flexibly or from home. Discuss the timetable that works best for you and your family with your co-parent or other supporters. Remember that your co-parent may be able to adjust their schedule as well.

4. Establish self-care time
   

   Work-life balance can result in fatigue and frustration if self-care is not prioritised. Consider how and when you will recharge before you start working. Set up a plan for your new habit that includes self-care.

5. Be patient with the process!
   

   Allow yourself to experience every feeling! Giving yourself the same consideration and support that you would extend to a good friend might go a long way toward helping you recover your groove after a few weeks away. As you settle into a routine and learn that your kid is doing well, you might be surprised to find some relief.

The First Week Back At Work

As you get used to your new normal, don’t be afraid to seek those close to you for help. Here are some scenarios that you will encounter when dealing with other people.:

• Speak with your employer about the possibility of leaving a little early during the first few weeks of employment. If your baby’s daycare is close to where you work, you might even ask for some unannounced break time to go be with your baby during the first week of settling time. Good daycares usually have settling time policies for the first week to help ensure a smooth separation.
• Ask your caregiver to take pictures of your child throughout the day; you’ll like seeing their adorable face and it will be comforting to know that they are content and engaged in a variety of enjoyable activities.
• To spend as much time as possible with your adorable newborn once you get home from work, ask your partner or other family members to help you out with dinner preparation or other evening activities.

Some Important Do’s And Don’ts To Keep In Mind

Do:

• Give your self space and time to adjust with the new schedule. Resist the need to gauge your emotional state. It takes time to get back to work after parental leave.
• Make sure your schedule is as predictable as you can, and let your coworkers know what you have planned. But be aware that changes can be required along the road.
• Ask other parents at work for advice and motivation.
• Make sure you start with a new caregiver on the first day you return to work.

Don’t:

• Don’t be afraid to ask for flexibility. Speak up and get what you want if it will enable you to perform your job more effectively.
• Don’t feel like you are being a bad parent by returning to work. You are just doing your job, whether that might be for passion, money, or anything else.
• Do not allow colleagues or families to instill any guilt of your leaving your child behind. Talk about the plan you’ve made, checks you’ve built to ensure the best for your child and for you

On A Closing Note

If the situation is truly overwhelming, don’t be hesitant to speak with someone. Lean on those close to you for support when you feel overwhelmed, whether it is family, mother pals, or counsellors. Also consider investing in good childcare so that your child can have all the support they need to transition smoothly in this phase.

Don’t forget to appreciate your efforts while also showing yourself some kindness and affection. You can do this!