Returning to work next week after maternity leave.

Any tips to share? Things you wished you knew when you just returned to work from maternity leave?


First time mom here :)

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If you’re dropping at daycare don’t stay and try to comfort, it just makes it harder for everyone. Give a kiss, say “I’ll see you at X time, love you, have a good day!” And then leave.

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It's amazing how quickly the kids settle down. I worked as a daycare worker right after college. I understand it's heartbreaking for parents, but they a really make it worse by lingering too long.

Lower your own bar of professional expectations for yourself. You are still recovering and sleep deprived. You’re not going to work as long, hard, or be as sharp as you once were. Your top professional performance may come back, but it also may not. That is the sacrifice for family. Figure out how to accept this new professional version of yourself.

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This really important to remember. Once you’re past this season you can work hard but give yourself a break right now and don’t worry about being like an exceptional employee

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Start on a Wed, trying to get through a full week Mon-Fri right off the bat is difficult

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Starting mid week is amazing advice! Also - put in a few random day time off requests for the first few months back at work (if working FT) - you will be happy you did! Use them for either a day with baby or a day to just sleep or a day to get errands done, no matter what just don’t go to work.

Crying in the car on your commute is okay. Feeling relieved to get dressed and be back in the world is okay. Missing baby tons at lunch while still loving coffee chats in the kitchen are okay. Everything is okay. It's all normal. It's all fine. Whatever you feel, whatever you think, whatever you do, are all normal!

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About a week in I realized it was better for me to give up breastfeeding and pumping to maximize my working time so I could be fully present and offline with my family.

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1. Pumping is your new hobby;
2. You will leak through your blouse;
3. You can go out to lunch and enjoy it;
4. Drop off up against trying to get to a meeting on time will bring on crying on route. This is normal given the circumstances;
5. If you fight with your kid/spouse/other trying to get out the door on time you will have what I deemed the morning hangover. A fine combination of guilt, agitation and exhaustion.
6. This chapter is temporary even though it doesn’t seem like it.
7. Just keep swimming. You and your family will be ok.
8. Sending you love and support from the other side.
9. Don’t binge the wine and Netflix in the evenings. Prioritize sleep.

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Know that your baby will still be loved and cared for while you are at work! And +1 to starting mid-week! Good luck, mama! You got this.

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Started last week. It was honestly better than expected for me... But my baby is having a really hard time adjusting. He is refusing food during the day and reverse cycling. On the weekends he was sooo clingy i felt awful. Hoping this passes soon.

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I hope so too for you! How old is your baby? Are you able to work from home?

I was breastfeeding so I had to pump every 2/3 hours. I wish I knew I didn’t have to use my own time to do that and it’s required in many industries to provide a proper place for you to pump.

I missed my baby so much but it is worth it to ensure we give them a better life.

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WT- no one mentioned SAHM’s. Chill.

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Changing jobs helped!

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How? :) isn’t starting a new job more stressful since you need to prove yourself in the beginning

I get that and it's very reasonable. I think we all cope with being away from our babies differently ad for me pumping helped but yes it was stressful 😫

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