Returning to work after maternity leave can be both an exciting and challenging experience for new mothers. The mix of emotions, the anticipation of rejoining the workforce, and leaving your precious little one behind can be overwhelming. However, with the right preparation and mindset, you can make a smooth transition back to work and thrive in your professional and personal life.
Stock up on Essentials
Stocking up on house essentials, baby essentials, and work essentials is the key to starting this overwhelming journey of being a working mom. Below are the lists of things I stocked up before my return to work.
House Essentials
- Basic Weekly Grocery
- Healthy Snacks/breastfeeding-friendly snacks to bring to work
- Clean sheets for bed
- Grab and go Breakfast options
- COFFEE!!!
Baby Essentials
- Diapers and Wipes
- Formula
- Extra clothes and bottles for the daycare
- Snacks
- Other Day-care Essentials
Work Essentials
- Work Outfits
- Lunch items
- Car essentials for commute
- Hand sanitizers
- Hair claw-clip
- Hand lotion
- Stationeries
- PATIENCE!!!!
Start Practicing Waking Up Early
I was extremely worried about waking up early enough to get ready for work after a sleepless night with the baby. I started practicing waking up at that specific time every day for 2 weeks before I returned to work. And I would say this made the transition more manageable and less abrupt on my first day back to work.
Figure Out Your Pumping Schedule
If you are a breastfeeding mama and decide to pump at work, start setting up your pumping schedule and the logistics behind it a week prior to the return date.
- Ask your manager or supervisor about the pumping accommodation at work.
- Get extra pump parts for less cleaning at work.
- Get a mini cooler to store the pumped milk if there to no fridge for that.
- Get pump-part sanitizer wipes or spray for easy cleaning.
- Block out your pumping time on your work calendar so that you can maintain the timing every single day without someone else setting up a meeting at the same time.
- Get a pumping bag or tote bag to carry your pump in.
- Get extra storage bottles.
Prepare some Freezer meal
Prepare some freezer meal beforehand at least to get you through the first week of work. Understandably, you would want to spend every waking hour with your baby bonding after a long day at work. So having a meal prepared will save time for cooking and cleaning and you would be so glad that you did that.
Plan Your Work Outfit
Panning out your work outfit will allow you to go through your closet and assess if you have enough work clothes already or do you need to go clothes shopping. Chances are you might need a shopping trip for your amazing newly postpartum body that is not quite ready for all the pre-pregnancy clothes.
Childcare Setup/ Back-up
Prepare a bag with essential items for your baby to bring to the childcare provider. This may include spare clothes, diapers, wipes, bottles, and comfort items. If someone in your family will take care of your child while you are at work, make a basket of baby essentials specifically for that person.
Clear Communication with Your Partner
Getting on the same page with your partner is key to navigating through this big stressful transition. Sitting down and sketching out the plan for each other’s roles and responsibilities, expectations, and schedules based on working hours would save you from a lot of unnecessary fights.
Take One Week at a Time
The first few weeks will feel like a tunnel with no lights at the end. Take one week at a time, even one day at a time if needed. Know that it will get better and eventually, you and the baby will find out your new rhythm.
Set Clear Expectations about Your Working Hours with Your Boss
Communicate your rules and boundaries around working hours very clearly with your boss prior to returning to your work. Also for all the appointments and that unexpected phone call from the daycare to pick your baby up as well and how you will make up those missed working hours.
It is ‘OKAY’ to be Sad and Excited at the Same Time
Don’t beat yourself up if you feel the excitement of going back to work and doing your own thing. You can be sad and excited at the same time, you can be a great mom and still have the desire to pursue the career that you have worked hard for all these years. You don’t have to lose yourself in motherhood to be a good mom.
Give Yourself Grace and Let go of Some Things
The first week will be chaotic and most likely you will be in a survival mood. You might not have enough time to get everything done from your list. Give yourself the much-needed grace and let go of things that are not critical to function your day until you find a new rhythm and routine.
