CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

The Back-to-Work Guide for New Moms

Maternity leave fading fast? Cut down on the back-to-work chaos with these helpful tips
save article
profile picture of Erin van Vuuren
Updated March 2, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Thinkstock
We have included third party products to help you navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission.

Step 1: Set the date

If your return date is flexible, you might be tempted to put off the decision as long as possible. Resist! The delay is nothing but unnecessary stress. Take the reigns and move toward a decision. “The worst thing you can do is feel powerless,” warns Bump expert Tammy Gold, founder of Gold Parent Coaching. “Look at your options, even if you don’t have a lot of them. Is there a proposal you can put forth?” Write out your ideal plan and pitch it to your employer. “Be honest,” Gold urges. Once you’ve set your date in stone, you can move on to tricker things like…

Step 2: Hire a caregiver

Nanny? Group sitter? Day care? Think about what works best for your family (and your budget), then visit day care centers, interview sitters, check references, and ask tons of questions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process try starting on a site like Care.com where you can a post a job with all your requirements or search for child care providers in your area, read in-depth profiles and reviews and even request preliminary background checks. Once you narrow down candidates this isn’t the time to be shy! Watch caregivers interact with your child and get a real feel for the ones you (and baby) are comfortable with. And then? “Trust yourself!” Gold insists. If the caregiver comes recommended, has the best credentials, and feels right, go ahead and make a commitment.

[

%%IMAGE1%%

Step 3: Test-drive

A little rusty when it comes to certain life skills (applying makeup, walking in heels)? There are new skills to master too (getting showered and ready with baby in tow). Preserve your sanity by giving your new schedule a few whirls. Working out the kinks now can save precious minutes when you really need them later. Your sitter needs a good warm-up as well. “Let them start as early as you’re financially prepared to let them,” says Gold. A trial run allows time for bonding, smoothing over questions, and practicing spending a few hours apart. (This also gives you time to get a haircut, buy work clothes, and prepare to reenter the world of grown-ups).

Related Video

Step 4: Stay connected

Time in the office can make a momma feel out of touch. To help, talk with your caregiver to get a good idea of baby’s daily schedule. This way, you can imagine her sleeping at naptime, strolling through the park at 11 a.m., and so on. some moms are also using technology to their advantage. “My nanny and I text all day long. It’s what gets me through the day!” admitted sallyc2003 on the _Working Moms _message board. Some day cares are even offering streaming video on their websites! Not so tech-savvy? Drop off a camera and ask caregivers to snap a few shots throughout the day.

Step 5: Commiserate

Tons of moms have walked this path before. “You MUST connect,” Gold encourages. “Mothering can be very isolating. The more you connect, the more comfortable you’ll feel.” Seek out other moms in your office, check out local groups for working mothers, or visit parenting websites (like ours!) to chat about your fears, roadblocks, and successes. “You can learn a tremendous amount just by listening,” says Gold. “Or you can engage online and type your concerns.” Either way, you’ll know you’re not alone.

Step 6: Give yourself a break

Emotions (and, yes, guilt) might run wild in those first weeks without baby. Relax — it’s normal. Give yourself permission to feel the way you feel. “Try setting aside five minutes of every hour to think about baby,” encourages Gold. “Write down questions, ideas for things to do together… whatever’s on your mind. Then refocus on work until your next ‘baby break’” And don’t be afraid to let a few things slide at home. “You CAN’T be everything,” Gold says. Something’s got to give. Let go of the elaborate meals. Put off the vacuuming. You’re being a great mother, wife, and professional — don’t worry about being a great maid.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

Shonda Rhimes attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California.
Shonda Rhimes Shares the Secret Behind How She Does It All
By Wyndi Kappes
gabrielle union and dwyane wade smiling with their daughter
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade Champion Community at Home and Work
By Ashlee Neuman
mother cuddling and kissing baby
How to Emotionally Prepare to Go Back to Work After Parental Leave
By Marygrace Taylor
ADVERTISEMENT
nicky hilton at the 2022 vanity fair oscar party
Nicky Hilton Rothschild Celebrates New Collaboration With Daughters
By Nehal Aggarwal
headshot of eva chen
Eva Chen Talks Pregnancy, Parenting and Why She Wrote Her Latest Book
By Lauren Kay
Portrait of co-founder and mom boss of Melissa and Doug, Melissa Bernstein.
Melissa & Doug Co-Founder on Making Toys and Overcoming Depression
By Nehal Aggarwal
mom boss and author eve rodsky
Eve Rodsky on Fair Play and How Moms Can Reclaim Their Time and Space
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
mom boss and author eve rodsky
Eve Rodsky on Fair Play and How Moms Can Reclaim Their Time and Space
By Nehal Aggarwal
mom boss hilary frank at her weird parenting wins template
Why This Mom Champions the Smallest (and Weirdest) Parenting Wins
By Nehal Aggarwal
mother and baby crawling on floor at home
It’s Baby Safety Month: Here Are All the Sales You Don’t Wanna Miss
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
build a bear donating bears to classrooms for national teddy bear day 2023
Build-A-Bear Is Donating Stuffed "Learning Buddies" to Schools in Need
By Wyndi Kappes
little sleepies disney nightmare before christmas pajamas on baby with Hemangioma
Little Sleepies Ad Shines a Spotlight on Babies With Hemangioma
By Wyndi Kappes
Zoo pals plates
Everyone’s Favorite Zoo Pals Plates Are Back
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Elisabeth Anderson-Sierra
Mom Sets World Record After Donating Over 422 Gallons of Breast Milk
By Wyndi Kappes
HATCH Collection's Highly-Anticipated Top Drawer Sale Is Here
HATCH Collection's Highly-Anticipated Top Drawer Sale Is Here
By Wyndi Kappes
lisa frank posh peanut collab restock
The Sold-Out Lisa Frank X Posh Peanut Collab Is Back
By Wyndi Kappes
rihanna savage x fenty maternity collection
Rihanna Drops New Soft and Sexy Savage X Fenty Maternity Collection
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
hanna andersson launches hanna baby line
Hanna Andersson Launches Hanna Baby Designed for the Fourth Trimester
By Wyndi Kappes
snoo smart sleeper bassinet on sale rental 2022
The Best Time to Get a Deal on the Cult-Favorite SNOO Smart Bassinet
By Nehal Aggarwal
lindsay lohan postpartum mirror selfie
Lindsay Lohan Jokes She's 'Not a Regular Mom, I'm a Postpartum Mom'
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List