Returning to work after pregnancy
Many women have certain ideas about returning to work before they've even started their maternity leave. But as you've probably already discovered, being a mum means being incredibly flexible. You might not have planned to go back initially, but perhaps your financial circumstances have changed, or you miss your old job. Whatever your reasons, it's worth exploring all your maternity rights and options and keeping an open mind. Try to ignore external pressures from friends, colleagues and society and do what feels right for you and your family.
Returning to work after having a baby is a big step. Whether you knew you were going to go back or not, it can still be heartbreaking to leave your baby. But lots of mums say, although it's difficult at first, it does get easier. And whenever you decide to go back, being prepared can make a huge difference to how you, your baby and everyone else involved adapts to the new routine.
It's never too soon to start looking into childcare. In order to perform well and focus at work, you need to know that your baby is happy and in safe hands. Even if you're not going back for a few months, starting early gives you plenty of time to do your research and find the right nursery, nanny or childminder.
A good place to begin is with the government based child carers register. Personal recommendations are also invaluable, although you should still ask to see the relevant paperwork to make sure they're fully-qualified.
Getting ready for the change
Being away from your baby can take a lot of getting used to, so while you’re searching for the right childcare, you can also start to prepare yourself and your baby for being apart.
One way you can do this is by getting your baby used to spending time with other people without you being around. You may find that initially this can be harder for you than it is for them, but keep trying - it will get easier the more you do it. Start by leaving them with people who are close to you so that you can be reassured that your baby is in safe hands. Grandparents may be able to help, and it gives them a chance to spend some precious time with their grandchild.
You might also find it useful to leave a written outline of your normal routine for your babysitter to follow, make sure they know where all the changing/ feeding/ playing equipment is, and give them all your contact details so they can get in touch with you or your partner if necessary.
Just try to think of it as good practice for when you have to leave your baby for longer periods.
Feeding when you’re back at work
If you're breastfeeding it's worth thinking about how your baby will feed when you return to work. You'll need to make sure that your baby is happy to take a bottle, and to be fed by someone who's not you or your partner.
One option is to express your breastmilk. It's a good idea to start expressing about a month before you go back to work to give yourself plenty of time to practice. Check with your workplace that there's somewhere for you to express milk during the day and they they're happy for you to store it in the fridge. It's also advisable to check with your baby's carer that they're happy to feed using your expressed breastmilk.
Tips to ease the transition
Aside from the practicalities regarding your baby's wellbeing, there are also a few steps you can take to help make the transition easier for you.
- Start by talking to your employer about your working hours and conditions before you go back so that you both know what's expected of you.
- It’s also a good idea to pop your head into your workplace a couple of times so that you can catch up with any changes that have happened, meet new people that will be important, and get a feel for the pace again.
- Make sure you know the quickest and most reliable way to get to and from work – it will make life easier and enable you to be punctual when you’re collecting your baby at the end of the day.
Thinking about the little things now will keep stress to a minimum and help you adjust when the time comes to go back to work.
Look after yourself
Being a working mum can be tiring. But that's where the help of your partner and other family members comes in.
Their help around the house can make a big difference to your home life and give you some well-deserved time to relax. Try not to feel guilty about it – remember that giving yourself a break now and again will mean you're more able to perform to the best of your abilities for both your baby and your boss.
If you’re worried about going back to work or you have a question about childcare, our experts include healthcare professionals and of course mums who have plenty of experience to share. Give them a call on 0800 996 1000, or start a conversation using Live Chat, our confidential online instant messaging service.