Going Back To Work After Baby Checklist

Congratulations on your new addition to your family! It’s been an incredible journey, and now it’s time to head back to work. However, returning to work after maternity leave can be daunting, especially for new moms.

Finding childcare before my return to work after maternity leave was the least of my worries. I hadn’t anticipated the exhaustion that had rooted itself deep within my bones, the struggle of feeling pulled between my baby and my career, and the surprise that my old work clothes were now a tad too snug. Being in “Mom Mode” 24-7 for weeks or months had made it challenging to slip back into my professional groove.

One of the biggest challenges new moms face when returning to work is the emotional toll of being away from their baby. You experience separation anxiety, guilt about leaving your baby, or missing important milestones. It can be helpful to have a support system in place to help you cope with these emotions. Another challenge new moms face is the pressure to balance work and motherhood. You may worry about managing your workload while still being present for your baby. Prioritizing and managing your time s crucial to ensure you can fulfill both roles.

Despite feeling like a pro at returning to work after maternity leave the second time, I was still surprised at how difficult the transition was. That’s why I put together a back-to-work checklist for moms, containing more than just the obvious advice and tips written by bosses, not moms.

1. Prepare Your Baby for Daycare

Researching and choosing a daycare that meets your needs and provides quality care for your little one is essential. Once you’ve chosen a daycare, it’s time to prepare your baby for the transition. Start by introducing your baby to their new environment before their first day of daycare. For example, take them to the daycare center and meet their caregivers. This can help ease their transition and make them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings.

Establishing a routine for your baby before their first day of daycare is also important. This can help them adjust to a new schedule and smooth the transition. Start by practicing a morning routine that mimics the daycare schedule, including feeding, dressing, and drop-off times.

Childcare Backups

Parents know they need childcare, and presumably, you’ve found a great option before your return to work. What many parents don’t realize right away is the need for backup childcare.

If your baby is in any sort of group care setting, it is almost guaranteed that they will get sick, possibly very frequently. Parents everywhere dread that daycare call that their child has spiked a fever or puked and needs to be picked up and usually can’t return for at least 24 hours. These sorts of illnesses are so common and very disruptive to your work.

Knowing your backup options as soon as possible is helpful, so you’re ready. Do you have friends or family nearby who could step in? Some places have sick care centers, so check if you have one locally.

You are the backup if you don’t have a backup care plan. Unfortunately, this puts you in a tough spot when you have looming work deadlines, commitments, or travel.

2. Stock Up

Before the big day, there are a few things you should pick up:

A breast pump, a professional-looking bag to carry your pump, and extra nursing pads.

Keep them handy at work, too – you never know when a meeting might run late, or someone might drop by unannounced, so it’s best to be prepared in case you can’t pump on time.

Snacks

Don’t forget to snack healthily throughout the day! Once the daily grind resumes, it’s so tempting to go to the vending machine out of hunger. To make sure you don’t fall into that trap, stock up on nutritious snacks.

Dinner

As for dinner, it’s understandable to think you won’t have time for cooking with a new baby. So prepare a few meals ahead of time and freeze them, so you don’t have to worry about them after long hours of work and sitting in traffic.

3. Plan Your Pumping

If you’re breastfeeding, you must plan out a pumping routine before returning to work. Pumping at work can be tricky, but it’s doable with some planning and preparation.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

You’ll need to find a place to pump that’s comfortable. Ask before your first day back what spaces are available for you.
Figure out an effective way to store your milk in a cooler bag or the office fridge.
You’ll need to plan out when you’ll pump during the day and ensure you have enough time. It’s usually best to pump every 2 to 3 hours.

You don’t want your first day back at work to be the first time you ever pump, so make sure you stock up on plenty of milk storage containers, freezer bags, storage racks, bottles, sterilization bags, and extra pump parts – if you think you already have enough, buy more! Trust me, you can never have too many supplies!

Read How to schedule for breastfeeding and pumping

4. Look and Feel Good

Forget about squeezing back into those pre-pregnancy clothes! Chances are they won’t fit, leaving you feeling like crap after all the hard work you’ve put in since your little one arrived. Remember, it took nine months for your body to get to where it is now, so allow yourself time to adjust and find its way back to pre-pregnancy form. In fact, it can take anywhere from six to ten weeks for your uterus to return to its original size. Patience is key!

5. Ease In Gently

Try easing into the transition of returning to work after parental leave by scheduling your return for the middle of the week. Consider cutting down your hours for the first week back, and spend a couple half-days with your new childcare provider and your baby. This will help both of you get accustomed to the new routine, and you’ll be able to gradually increase your hours as you become more comfortable.

6. Prioritize Sleep

The struggle is real for parents who must return to work before their newborn sleeps through the night – especially if their job requires intense focus. In addition, after relying on naps during maternity leave, they might find it hard to function at work when they are not getting enough rest.

If you need more shut-eye, you might have to get creative! For example, could you swap night feedings with your partner? Go to bed earlier? Try sleep training your baby? Take a nap during your lunch break? These ideas could help you find the perfect sleep solution for your specific situation.

7. Prepare Your Partner

As you get back to work, take the opportunity to have a heart-to-heart with your partner about how responsibilities will be shared. Chances are, you’ve been the main one taking care of the baby while at home, but that could be changing soon. Everyone should be clear on who is taking on what role regarding childcare; who’s in charge of getting the baby dressed, picking them up, dropping them off, and putting them to bed? For some parents, it’s a relatively easy process. Still, for those with alternating shifts or complicated timetables, keeping track of who’s doing what and when can be an ongoing battle! When you return to work, you will have limited time, so it’s wise to communicate expectations about sharing the housework to prevent any animosity from accumulating.

Other things to consider:

Managing Your Workload and Priorities

Balancing work and motherhood can be challenging, but you must prioritize and manage your workload. Start by communicating with your employer and setting realistic expectations for your workload. This may include adjusting your schedule or workload to accommodate your new responsibilities as a mom.

You need to manage your time carefully. Start by creating a daily to-do list, including work and personal jobs. Another helpful technique is to divide tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. This can help you tackle larger projects without feeling overwhelmed.

Communicating with Your Employer and Colleagues

Clear communication with your employer and colleagues is crucial when returning to work after maternity leave. Start by discussing your options for flexible work arrangements, such as working from home or adjusting your schedule. Communicate your needs and limitations clearly. This may include expressing your need for breaks to pump breast milk or adjusting your workload to accommodate your new responsibilities as a mom. Be honest and open with your employer about your needs to ensure a successful transition back to work.

Finally, maintain open communication with your colleagues. This may involve discussing your schedule or workload and ensuring you contribute to the team effectively. Stay in touch with your colleagues and update them on your needs and limitations.

Delegate tasks where possible. This may involve asking your partner or family to help with household tasks or hiring a babysitter to watch your little one while you work. Delegating tasks can help you save time and reduce stress.

So let’s recap! Here is a quick checklist to remind you of all the tips discussed:

Prepare Your Baby for Daycare
Stock up
Plan Your Pumping
Look and Feel Good
Ease In Gently
Prioritize Sleep
Prepare Your Partner

Returning to work after maternity leave can be stressful. Still, it’s essential to practice self-care and prioritize your well-being. Start by getting enough sleep and taking breaks throughout the day. This can help you recharge and stay focused on your tasks.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet and staying hydrated is also important. This can help you maintain your energy and focus throughout the day. Finally, practice stress-management techniques such as meditation or yoga to help you manage the stress of balancing work and motherhood.

Remember, taking care of yourself is crucial for your well-being and ability to successfully balance work and motherhood.

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