Returning after maternity leave successfully

Going back to work after maternity leave can often be a daunting prospect. The idea of leaving your baby in another person’s care can induce terrible feelings of guilt and spending a whole day with people who can hold conversations and not spit their food at you might take some getting used to.

Even though you know it’s coming, making the transition back to work can be very tricky if you’ve been in full-on mother mode for the last 12 months.

The key to everything going as smoothly as possible is being organised. Here are some hints that may help.

Before returning to work:

• once you’ve sorted out the date you’ll be returning, start getting ready a few weeks beforehand. You should have already sorted out the childcare. If you’re still looking, consider asking other mums for recommendations.
• If possible, try to put your baby into the new daycare centre for a morning or two before your leave ends. This will ease them into it and make it less stressful for you trying to cope with your first day back at work and their first day at daycare all on the same day. If they’re distressed, you will be able to stay with them for a little while and help them adjust to the new location, rather than having to dash off to work.
• Make sure you go to see your boss to discuss your job – will it be the same as before you went on leave or have things changed since then? Make sure you know what will be expected of you when you return.
• This could be a good time to bring up the possibility of being flexible – they may be prepared to let you change your hours or work from home.
• Remember to try on your work clothes to make sure they fit – you don’t want to get a nasty surprise on your first day.
• Do a trial run to check you’re allowing yourself enough time to get yourself and the baby ready, drop them at childcare and arrive at work on time.
• If you’re still breast-feeding, work out how you can continue to do this when back at work. You may need to express some breast milk during the day, so investigate places at work where you can do this and check there’s somewhere to store the milk. Don’t forget breast pads in case of leakage.
• If expressing at work is going to be too difficult, you may have to switch to formula during the day, but still breastfeed in the morning and evening. This way your baby will continue getting the benefits of your milk, but also enjoy time with you.

once you’re back at work:

• Pack everything you need the night before. Have the baby’s bag for daycare sorted out and check your bag is also organised with your work pass, mobile phone etc.
• Don’t beat yourself up if your baby gets upset when you leave them at daycare. This is only natural. It may take them a little while to get used to not having you around. Eventually they will realise you’ll be back again later to get them.
• Within days of starting at daycare many kids get sick. This is because they’re suddenly exposed to a lot more children than usual, and also their bugs. Make sure you have a contingency plan in place – will your partner or a family member be able to look after the sick baby while you keep working? It would be nice not to have to take time off with a sick child when you’ve only just gone back.
• Don’t try to do everything yourself. Accept help from others – your partner, family and friends. Remember you’re now doing two jobs, everyone will have to adjust.
• If you can afford it, get a cleaner. Paying someone to give your home a good going over once a month can take off some of the pressure.
• Get into the habit of cooking double portions so you can freeze half.
• Try to get plenty of rest. This is easier said than done with a small child, but if you get to bed at a decent hour and have a nap in the weekends when they’re sleeping it will help with fatigue.
• Set aside some “me” time. Whether it’s having a long soak in the bath, going for a walk, or just coffee with your friends, it’s important to have time out.
• Don’t forget to enjoy time with your baby. If you find you’re too exhausted or stressed to do this after working all week, you may need to look at changing your situation.