Tips for being successful when returning from maternity leave? I’m going back in a month and am already getting nervous! I’ll be working from home two days a week and my husband five days a week. We’ll either have a nanny or my mom watching the baby. I’m at boutique with a 1900 billable requirement.

I set a pumping schedule on my calendar and treated those times like meetings that I could not miss. I had to problems working right through my pumping at my desk. Highly recommend a ceres chiller for transporting milk. So much better than having to store my milk in the gross fridge. Also put your own mini fridge in your office for the fridge hack for pump parts.

Be kind to yourself is my tip. Best of luck

Would also love to know people’s schedules. I’m breastfeeding so trying to figure out how to best feed in the morning and make time to pump during the day

I found it easier to get my hours in by getting up early and starting the day as early as I can. The day can easily get away from you, but if you start early you’ll be more likely to get work done.

As far as pumping, learn to pump and still work at the same time. It can be tricky, but helps you stay on top of everything and not feel like you're losing billable time due to pumping.

Be organized, allow extra time to get out the door, and let yourself feel all of the emotions. It's a big transition, and takes a while to adjust to a new schedule and new normal.

I pumped for 2+ years with both of mine, and while sometimes I had to fluctuate my schedule depending on work commitments (hearings, breaks in mediation and depositions, inspections, etc.) I tried very hard to keep a consistent pumping schedule. I would get in to work a little earlier than usual if possible and would pump immediately. Then I had a couple hours of uninterrupted work. I would try to then pump 3 other times during the workday if possible. Drink lots of water, and don't stress when some days you don't get as much as others. It ebbs and flows, and that's ok! Do you have a private office? I had my windows covered and a sign that said "pumping" that I would put on the door when I was pumping. Not that it should need to be announced, but it helped so people knew why the door was closed and not to bother knocking or just barging in 🤣

Highly recommend blocking off a couple of hours mid-day between naps to be with baby and nurse! They sleep so much when they’re little, I tended to focus my work time on when my kids were asleep.

Wake up early to get some work in. Take some time in the morning with your baby too. Then get into work a little later like 9:30ish.

Following— I’m also going back to work in a month!