Back to Work Tips

A coworker recently came back to the office after a 4-month maternity leave. Going back to work after being warm and cuddly for a few weeks or months can be like an icy splash of water in the face. Wake up to reality! I have to wake up and be presentable at what time?

Things that might be helpful:

Choose a single cute photo for your computer wallpaper. That way you can get accidental glimpses throughout the day and when people ask about your baby, you can show them that one photo instead of being tempted to go through the entire camera roll on your phone. I changed mine weekly, and it gave me a little activity to do while drinking coffee on Wednesdays.

If you are still nursing, good for you! Be sure to always have a scarf or cardigan or sweater with you. Let down does happen when you don’t want it to, and it is good to have some assurance that you can be covered.

If you can’t have clothes you love, like the ones you have. Your body has changed a lot in the past year. You might weigh more, less, or the same, but no doubt you are not the same shape, and fashions have changed since you became pregnant. Splurge on a new outfit, go to a consignment shop, or figure out from what you have which outfits fit and flatter. You will surely go to work one day with bananas in your hair and jeans that don’t quite fit, but treat going back to work like your first week of school and feel good in your clothes.

Make sure you trust your childcare provider and that the baby does too. It is a bummer to be back at work, but missing your baby is normal and healthy; being worried all day about your baby’s safety is not.

Start slowly. Maybe get a haircut and go clothes shopping half Monday with your baby in the new childcare setting, then work half day Tuesday and start for reals on Wednesday. Think about how you want to ideally end your maternity leave, and work it out with your boss. You can’t get it if you don’t ask.

Lastly, think of the positive aspects of going back to work. You can go to the bathroom whenever you want! You can talk to people about non-baby things! You can remember that you had other skills before learning how to diaper, nurse, and clip invisible fingernails. Meanwhile, your baby has an opportunity to bond with and trust another loving person.