A guide to returning to life smoothly after maternity leave
Guest blog written by Kim Chapman of Kim Chapman Consulting
The end of maternity leave can bring up a lot of emotions: fear at leaving your new baby, excitement to return to your job, and uncertainty at what your routine will look like next. No matter what your work and childcare plans look like after this transition, it is important to prepare as much as possible to set yourself up for success.
Common Worries About Returning to Work
The first and most important thing to know is you are not alone! Every parent who has returned to work after being home with their baby has worried in some way. It's easy to feel like you have no plan for transitioning your baby, your home, your career, and everything else. But I also promise that people do this every day and it will be okay!
As a postpartum doula, I hear these things every day:
- "We don't know who is going to pick up and drop off the baby at daycare, or what to do when she's sick."
- "What if my baby misses me and doesn't like their new caretaker?"
- "How do I set up a morning routine?"
- "Am I going to get enough sleep to do my job well?"
- "How could I leave my baby?"
There is definitely a learning curve to all of these things, but with a little preparation, they can seem a lot less scary and easier to manage.
What to Discuss and Prepare Before Maternity Leave Ends
The more you can make plans ahead of time, the less scary returning to work can feel. You'll need to be flexible and adjust your plans as time moves on, but discussing them with your partner and preparing as much as possible is key to success.
Breastfeeding and Pumping
If you are breastfeeding, one of your top concerns is likely making sure your baby has all the food they need every day. Try to have at least one or two days' worth of milk bagged and prepared ahead of time, but don't worry about having gallons and gallons of frozen milk. You only need to be a day ahead to be prepared!
You will also need to determine your pumping schedule. Try to keep it as close as you can to your feeding schedule at home, and pay attention to your calories and hydration to maximize output! Make sure your employer has the legally required space for you to pump and are aware of your needs.
One trick that I love is pumping in the car on the way to work and back, if you can!
Morning Routine
It can be overwhelming to wake up, get yourself and your baby ready, and make it to work on time. The best thing you can do is prepare as much as possible the night before. Shower, lay out both of your clothes, pack the diaper bag, etc. The less you have to do in the morning, the better!
If you have a partner who will be home, discuss how you'll share this load every morning. Can they get the baby ready while you get dressed? Can you pack the car so they can grab their lunch? Teamwork is key!
Make a packing checklist
You'll need to send a bag with your baby if they'll be out of the house for childcare. Daycare should provide a list of what you need, like diapers and wipes in addition to food. If they'll be in someone's home, be sure they also have a safe sleep environment and anything, they need to make naps go well, like a white noise machine.
Don't force yourself to remember everything you need. Make yourself a list with large print and hang it on the door or in the nursery so you can visually remind yourself what to include each morning.
Think about meals
Once you're home from work and daycare, you might be tired, and you'll want to spend time with your baby and family. First of all, don't be afraid to use takeout for the first few weeks as you adjust!
But meal planning can be a huge help. Knowing what you will make for dinner, grocery shopping in advance, and planning your menu for the week can make the evening less stressful.
Part of this is also discussing with your partner who is responsible for what. Split up tasks like grocery shopping and cooking, and work together on the meal plan.
Have backup plans
Inevitably, your baby will be sick and need to stay home from childcare. Make a plan with your partner for what happens in these cases. Who picks them up? Will you take turns taking days off? When you know this in advance, it will be a lot less stressful when it happens!
Tips for a Successful Daycare Transition
Once you know where your child will be during the day, you'll have a better idea of needs and expectations. The caretaker should tell you a bit about what their day will look like, what to bring, and what sick policies are. In my experience, there are two main things you can do to help with the daycare transition:
- Practice sleep adjustments
Daycares have some different sleep regulations than you may practice at home, and you want your baby to be as prepared as possible. Helping them to fall asleep in their crib is crucial so that the provider doesn't struggle to get them down.
The room may not be pitch black, and babies in daycare can't wear swaddles. If you can get your baby used to this, great - if not, don't worry too much. Babies often learn the difference between home and daycare quickly, and you may be surprised at how well they do for naps!
Their new nap routine may slightly change bedtime as well, so be prepared for some trial and error with their new schedule. If you are struggling with short naps, read my blog post for more information!
- Do a trial run
Start your childcare a few days to a week before you return to work, even if it's just for half days. This gives you a chance to practice things like your new morning routine and packing a bag, and you'll be able to get them if it's necessary.
Not only is this good for your baby, but it gives you time to adjust as well. Use some of your free time to indulge in self-care before work and get your mind ready!
If you are worried about transitioning back to work and would like some additional guidance, I offer a 1:1 program to help support you during this transition. This program focuses on answering all your sleep questions, supporting you in a way your partner may not be able to, and giving personalized tips. You don't need to figure this transition out on your own! If you would like to learn more about working with me book a Free 15-Minute Consultation today!
If you would like to have support to improve sleep for your family, check out my Baby Sleep Program which provides daily support along with a step-by-step customized plan to follow.For more sleep tips you can follow me on Instagram