Any advice from new moms for heading back to work after baby? Worried about being away from her four days a week after months of being together everyday.

Ummm. Don't. I'm a dad, but can count on one hand how many 4 day travel weeks I've done in the last 2 years. Just isn't worth it.

Yes, I agree. Being away from a baby is really damaging to a baby, particularly for a mother. Your job as mom is far more important than a job that takes you away four days a week. The damage to the bonding is irreparable.

As long as you have a strong support system you and your baby will be fine. My baby was 6 months when I started to travel and it was my husband and family that help me keep it together. Good thing is that technology is on your side. So FaceTime until your heart is content.

She'll be fine. Babies are more resilient than we realize. It'll probably be harder on you, than her. As long as her caretakers are trustworthy, you'll adjust well. In the beginning, call and check on her. Have someone put you on speaker phone so she can hear you >>> she'll react to that. I've been there. You can do it!

Ensuring the support system is there is important. When the baby is 10-18 yrs old your presence in their life will be extremely important. Puberty and hormones will definitely not be enjoyable, but those are the years that they remember and will recognize as you being there.

Geez, depressing answer MC1. My mom travelled regularly when I was 0-4 yrs old and I'm just fine and have a great relationship w my mom. I'm sure OP has enough guilt without complete strangers telling her she's irreparably harming her baby.

remember it'll be harder on you than your baby. dont listen to MC1, if that was true dad's would have more pressure to stay home as well and no dads would be able to be traveling consultants bc their job as a dad would be more important than a m-th traveling job. the idea that the mom should be at home with the baby for the baby's own benefit is just sexist.

@S&1- didn't mean to inflict guilt, ask pedestrians and read on the infant bonding process. The research shows the first two years of life is extremely important for infants. Also, I recommend the series that Charlie Rose did on brain science. There's specific episodes on infants and their brain.

MC1 I kinda have no choice as I am the breadwinner. I've been told in the past that limiting myself to local projects is the fastest way to get fired.