Returning to Work After Baby Is Born

A.-Congrats on the pregnancy. I took 5 weeks of maternity and worked about 20 hours per week the first 3 weeks back. It was really hard to go back to work, just keep in mind that it will be hard no matter what! I don't know the type of work you do, but if you can, try to alternate the 1/2 days to work some in the AM, others in the PM. That way the baby is used to being put down for naps and being fed by different people. Also, you can figure out how to organize yourself both in the morning rush time and the afternoon after coming back from work. Your recovery time will depend on if you give natural child birth or if you have a c-section, it takes a bit longer for c-sections (I've heard!) If grandma will be the primary childcare you will use, start introducing grandma more the last 2 weeks that you or your husband have at home. I have learned that sometimes things just come into place at the right time, just keep the stress level low, the baby feels that! Good luck and enjoy the baby.

Of course for me it helped that my husband would be the one with them, or at times his Mom. But yes it was hard to go back. I did it with two and now I am at home with them. Anyways for me keeping up breastfeeding and pumping helped me to bond with them, or if you are formula feeding just make sure when you are home it is you that does it. My husband did the cooking so I could be with them when I got home, and I always put them to bed. Basically what got me through with it was spending as much time as I could with them and a lot of prayers. Good-luck, it is one of the hardest things you will have to do.

I had to go back to work just four short weeks after my son was born, and it was SO hard...but I was the main income for our family, as my husband was (and still is) in school, so I didn't really have any other option. I won't harp on how hard it is, but just be prepared for some really sharp emotions when you do have to leave your daughter.

Someone mentioned pumping--that's something you may need to consider if you plan to BF. I managed to BF my son for 13 months by pumping while at work and BFing normally at home, though we did have to introduce a little bit of formula towards the end of the first year when my pump just didn't get much milk anymore.

I was lucky--I have my own office, and when I first started going back to work, they let me bring him to work with me while my husband went to class. My sister would come twice a week to help out when she could, as well (I work at a university and she was a student here). He mostly slept or was content in his infant carrier, so it wasn't that big of a deal to bring him. I don't know if that's an option for you, but it couldn't hurt to ask, if you're interested. I think it helped ease the transition for me. He came with me to work for about three months, until the end of the semester and my husband could stay home with him full-time for the summer.

I think that's all I have to say for now. Feel free to message me if you have any more questions or just want to talk. I know it's hard, but remember that you are helping provide for your child and she'll thank you for it one day! That's what's helped me get through the last 13+ months since I've been back at work =)

Nobody has mentioned this yet, but did you know that your husband does not have to take paternity leave directly following the baby's birth? You can stagger your leave and his leave so that baby will be with one of you longer. Maybe he could take the week off right after the baby is born (to help you out). Then go back to work for 3 weeks or 4 weeks, then take paternity leave. If he can do that and you have a job that is flexible enough, you might want to have him bring the baby to you for lunches/breaks as a way to ease into being gone so long (and if you are breastfeeding -- a huge $$$ saver-- you could feed the baby over lunch too). I would also suggest you pinch as many pennies as you can right now to see if you can save up enough to have a longer maternity leave. One way you can find a few extra $$s: Review your W-2 withholdings (you and your husband) to add the new dependant for this year -- you'll be surprised how much one extra deduction will make on tax withholdings from your check. If you have the money up front now, instead of waiting to get it as a tax refund, you might be able to stay home longer.It is never easy to go back to work, I dread every moment I have to be away from my kids -- and I work part-time from home so it really isn't often that I have to go into the office for meetings. My heart goes out to you and I wish you luck on your new parenting adventure!

One thing I was able to do (which I don't know if it will work for your job) is telecommute part time for a few weeks before coming back to the office. When my supervisor understood that it would allow me to start earlier than I would have otherwise, he became very flexible. And it became the new norm for expectant mothers on my team.

Congratulations! You are so lucky to have an employer that is letting you get back to work gradually and that your husband and then grandma can care for your little one. I wasn't that lucky. I was expected to return to work at 6 weeks to my same work schedule and we had no family in town, so day care was our only option. I decided that it was best for me to find an income working from home instead. I just couldn't bare leaving my baby. Now I have two children and have found an income working from home while also making my home safer for my family. You can call me at ###-###-#### and I can tell you how I made the transition to working from home instead.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck! It sounds like you have an understanding employer and wonderful family around to help you.

Try to figure out how to do it on one income before the baby comes. As soon as you hold her you will never want to leave her -- and that is the way it is supposed to be. She needs you more than whatever a second income gives her. Good luck!

The best advice I can give is to be organized and have a plan. It sounds like you have a good idea for taking the first four weeks off then returning part-time with hubby doing quite a bit, then leaving with grandma after a few months. Since you need the income and your employer is allowing some flexibility, you may want to ask what else they might be able to offer, like telecommuting, if you want a little bit more time at home with the baby.

The other things that you'll need to consider to make the transition easier for all of you is having a plan for who does what around the house in terms of chores and baby care. For instance, if you are going to breastfeed at home and pump at work, perhaps hubby can be in charge of bathing. If you like to cook, hubby can do dishes. If you sort and wash the laundry, he can fold and put away.

I would also recommend that you bottle feed from the beginning - regardless of whether you choose breastmilk or formula. That way, with both you and your husband working, you can take turns getting up with the baby at night since she won't be sleeping through the night until 4-6 months. My last two babies absolutely refused the bottle because I was breastfeeding, and even though I'm a SAHM, it severely limited the amount of time I could spend away from the babies for the first year.

Having a plan for all the little things will go a long way to making things work for you. By splitting chores and baby care as evenly as you can with your hubby and taking breaks for yourself and with each other, you'll be able to spend quality time with your baby when you are at home.

Good luck and congratulations!

Hi A., first of all congratulations. I am a mother of 2 and when I had my 6 months old I just did not want to leave my boys so I looked for ways to work around my kids schedule. I was introduced to an opportunity of owning my own business where I can work when I wanted to so that my husband and I can have a well balanced schedule for our children. Unfortunately the company that I work with does let me advertise their name on internet unless I have permission to do so, but if you are interested let me know I can give you my email then we can talk about it. It sounds like you need both income coming in and if you can work from home and get or replace your income wouldn't you want to know more??

Congratulations on your pregnancy. There is nothing better than being a mom. I was lucky enough to have my son in the beginning of the summer (I am a teacher) and have 8 wonderful weeks with him before going back to work. And then I was lucky enough to be able to just teach part-time. Like you said, no matter what, it will be hard going back to work. But each day gets easier. I don't really have any advice, but hopefully just some encouragement. I hate being away from my son, but the time apart just makes the time we get to spend together even more precious. Now that he is crawling, our sitter says that when he hears he come through the door, he drops his toy and takes off to greet me. Seeing his smile when I come home is one of my favorite parts of the day! So, it will be hard, but just soak up every second with your baby while you can. By working you are obviously providing the best for your baby by bringing in an income. Your baby is so lucky! Take it easy until May, and see as many movies as you can and go out to eat as much as you want!

It sounds to me, from the way you phrased your situation, that you would like to optimally stay home with your baby. That will take some planning, but if you come up with a plan today, you can start implementing the plan tomorrow, so that you do not find yourself in the same predicament still in three years, or for subsequent children.

If you want good advice on coming up with that plan, you can ask me to meet with you. Congratulations on your new baby, and blessings to you!

That is what I had to do as well, except at 6 weeks. I was able to stay home, and once I did go back to work, I only went back part time. Possibly 25 hours a week. That lasted for about 3 weeks and then went full time. It is not too bad. Of course you will want to stay home with your child, what mother/parent wouldn't, but you will soon realize it will be ok. I also chose to work an extremely early schedule. I took the 6am to 3pm shift. That way I had the entire afternoon/evening with my daughter. Once she was about a year I went back to the 8-5. I just figured that way while growing, she still wanted to sleep early in the morning plus the nap-- so it made me feel like I wasnt missing much.

congrats on your new baby... very exciting times! as for advice, well, after six weeks, you'll probably be a little bit of a zombie still. try and take it easy and make sure to get lots of rest. the whole "sleep when the baby sleeps" thing is totally true. it is great that your husband can stay home a little longer... good for many reasons. are you staying home together for the first month? my husband and I staggered our time off. he took two weeks at first, then I took the rest of my time off and then he stayed home. that help extend the time before my daughter went to day care.

also, you didn't mention if you are planning on breastfeeding or formula feeding or a combo... obviously bf'ing will require a bit more of a committment of time and energy, or more specifically your time and energy. make sure your husband or grandma feeds your baby at least once a day with a bottle or either breast milk or formula. speaking of pumping, I found i difficult to pump more than once a day while at work. it was just too time consuming. if you are going to be pumping, try banking (freezing) as much extra milk as you can when you are home. but don't pump too much during your work hours or you'll be full to bursting while at work. btw... lilypadz work great for the office (don't show through your clothes and don't leak as much as the other pads).

uhmm, what else? yes, it will be hard... I feel for you having to go back to work so soon. be sure to eat healthy food and get lots of rest. you'll be really tired, but once they hit around 3-4 mos old, they'll start sleeping longer and eating less frequently.

Hey,
I am in the same boat as you. I just had my baby and now I have to go back to work a month later. We really need my incme as well. My husband however, is not home so that makes things a little more difficult. i will just tell you that one of the hardest things for me was the recovery, and I still don't feel back to normal yet. I still hardly feel like getting dressed in something other than comfy lounge pants. If you have any complications during labor you might want to consider taking one more week off if you can. Also I would suggest getting your baby on some sort of schedule, it doesn't have to be rigid, but have something. I am still working on getting our routine fully established, but I can see how my life will function much easier with one, especially because I am breastfeeding. I know it's hard when you have to work, but consider working less hours, if your budget would allow you to and if your work would let you. I cut back just a few hours. This is my first child and i thought it would be easier, but she needs me so much its hard.
That's great that your husband can watch her a lot. Good luck with everything. and congrats.

A. E,
It looks to me like your plan is good. It is always hard to leave baby. If at any time you decide you want the income but want to stay home and work, you may give me a call at ###-###-####. I work at home for a very reputable company, we could set you up an interview for you to look at it. Otherwise, I think it is awesome that grandma is babysitting, for one it will be good for baby to be with family and two, that is the best way for baby to bond with grandma. You are very lucky to have that support. congradulations.