You have a rewarding and profitable career, but are also a new mother. You’re conflicted because while you love your job, you also want to be home with your new bundle of joy. Societal expectations about motherhood also plague you with guilt about returning to work while you’re a new mom. You’re expected to be a full-time mom while also working full-time. What many people don’t realize is that some working mothers desire to become stay-at-home moms, but it’s not financially possible. We live in an economy that now requires two incomes to survive, and it’s causing stress for moms nationwide. If that’s not bad enough, there is no paid parental leave in our nation’s labor laws. This makes returning to work after having a baby especially tough. Yet in several countries, paid parental leave is the norm. Here are ways to make returning to work after having a baby easier.
Request A More Flexible Schedule
One thing you can do is request a more flexible schedule from your employer. Returning to work after having a baby affects how you work, and a new schedule can accommodate the new changes. Maybe you can work from home three days out of the week or work part-time to spend more time with your baby.
Figure Out Child Care
This is something you should do before returning to work. Contact local daycare centers and compare rates and services. Tour the daycare centers to learn what they offer to your child. Verify that the center is licensed and abides by state and federal safety regulations. Look over the centers’ inspection reports and check for any violations that recently occurred. Inquire about discounts from the centers, and ask if they accept vouchers you receive from the state to help with childcare costs.
If you can’t afford to place your baby in daycare, ask relatives if they can watch your baby while you’re at work. This reduces the stress because you know your baby is with someone you trust. If you don’t live near relatives, a trusted friend can watch your baby. Tell the person the baby’s schedule and provide enough supplies to last the whole day. Offer payment to the caregiver in exchange for her services as a token of gratitude.
Introducing Bottle to Baby Before Returning to Work
It’s best to introduce the bottle to your baby after he has been breastfed for at least four weeks. Here is a link from La Leche League International concerning the best ways to do this:
How to Get a Breastfed Baby to Take a Bottle
The Affordable Care Act requires employers with more than 50 employees to give breastfeeding women the time and space needed to pump milk for their children during work hours. Let your employer know that you will need breaks throughout the day to pump milk for your child. Mention that you’ll need a private place to do this, and that you’ll need a cool place to store the milk. Purchase a quality breast pump and ask your insurance provider if they cover the cost of the pump. Start pumping at least two weeks before returning to work.
Adjusting to a New Reality After Returning to Work
Returning to work after having a baby often means a new schedule. You’ll need to balance work demands with your baby’s needs and here are some ways to manage both without the stress. Prepare as much as you can the night before. Clean the baby’s bottles, prepare them, and store them in the refrigerator for the next day. Pack the baby’s outfits, diapers, bibs, and wipes in his diaper bag. Iron your work outfit and have an early bedtime with your child, although he may wake up at night. Have your spouse, in-laws, and older kids assist with meal preparation, errands, and household chores.
It’s also normal for new working moms to experience stress at times. Seek support from relatives and friends who can encourage you on this new journey. Read good books and listen to podcasts that help new moms transition back into the workforce. Get as much sleep as your schedule (and baby) allows, and don’t worry if certain tasks are not done by the end of the week. The goal is not perfection, but just getting through these weeks with your sanity intact.
A few weeks before returning to work, prepare some easy meals you can heat up during the week after returning home from work. This reduces the need to cook every night, and you can focus more on time with your baby. Another idea is to buy some TV dinners when they go on sale if you can’t meal prep.
Create a Flexible Morning Schedule
Earlier, we discussed the importance of preparing everything the night before. Now, here is how to have a smooth morning routine. If you can, wake up before the baby to get ready for the day. Use this time to drink coffee, pray, read, or get in a quick workout. If the baby is over six months old, place him in a safe area on a soft mat with toys while you wash and put away breakfast dishes. Grab a granola bar or make instant oatmeal for breakfast if time is limited. Leave home earlier if you’ll need to dodge heavy traffic to get to your destination.
Tips on Working from Home With a Baby
If you’re working from home with a baby, here are some tips to make life efficient. Let your employer know that you’re caring for a baby while working, and that you will need flexible work hours. Use your baby’s naptimes to catch up on assignments and send emails to clients. At night, while the baby sleeps, finish up any work you couldn’t complete during the day so you can start your new assignments the next morning. Block social media sites from your computer during work hours so you can focus better. Wear your baby in a carrier while working if he’s fussy and wants to be near you.
As a new mom, your top priority is your baby’s well-being, and sometimes this means you have to adjust your work schedule and duties. These strategies can assist you in navigating this new stage of life with confidence.