Is your maternity leave coming to an end? Tips on transitioning back to work

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Hi everyone!

Winnie here. After months of being home with my baby, work life seemed almost like a distant memory. As the maternity leave slowly came to an end, feelings of anxiety and dread crept in.  The thought of leaving the house at 7:30 in the morning after hours of being up with a crying baby seemed impossible, not to mention the guilt! What if my baby needs me and I’m not there for her? What if the nanny doesn’t treat her right?  Sometimes I even feel guilty because I’m eager to go to work.  

Occasionally in the morning after feeding my baby and handing her over to the nanny, I see eagerness my baby’s eyes. An irrational fear pops up that she would forget about me, that she would love the nanny more than she loves me. 

I know how you feel. Sadness. When my baby reached a milestone, such as her first step and I missed it because I was at work. When my baby was sick and I couldn’t be with her. When my baby was crying for me and I had to say no, that I have to leave.  

Going back to work is hard, and the first week is usually the roughest. These tips will help you transition smoothly.

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Plan and practice your routine

Prep as much as possible the night before. Get bottles ready, and if you’re pumping, pack all pumping supplies in your work bag. In the morning, I would wake up before everyone in order to get showered and have hair and make-up done before feeding the little one.  

Set up a support system 

Be sure you have safe people to talk to when you’re having a hard time being away from baby. If you later decide you don’t want to do this, that’s ok too. It’s your life, your choice. Work full time, work part time, stay home. They’re all equally good and valid ways to be a mom.

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Set expectations with your supervisor 

Have a meeting with your manager and set expectations on both sides. This is especially important if you need to leave by a certain time or have any other time restraints. If it is hard to be away five days a week, so check if your manager allows work from home.  

Nursing

One month before returning to work 

  • Start pumping and freezing breast milk.  

  • If you hired a nanny, ask her to start so the baby can get used to being bottle fed by someone else.  

Pumping at work 

  • If you are pumping and do not have a private office or lactation room at work, try to find an empty office or book the conference room.

  • Discuss with your supervisor about a pumping schedule. You’ll need to pump for 15 minutes, two to three times a day. You may suggest dividing your lunch hour into the pumping schedule.

I had such extreme anxiety about returning to work to the point where I I felt physically nauseous. The anticipation killed me. After about a month after I settled into a routine and, while it’s hectic, it works. It’s never fun leaving a baby, but you can definitely do this! Good luck! Please comment if you have any pointers that worked for you! 

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See you next time!

Winnie