Going Back to Work after Baby is Born

A few centuries ago, a woman was a homemaker and mother. She never had to face the dilemma of leaving her child to return to work. These days, mothers are qualified professionals and many have no choice but to go back to work to make ends meet. For most women, motherhood brings a change in priorities.

The question most face is whether they can be a full-time mother or organize life such that they can return to work and still be a mother who provides love and good care. The decision to work or not is not easy at all and needs deep thought.

Prepare from Day 1

Talking with peers and researching on the internet led me to conclude that the process of deciding whether or not I would be going back to work should ideally begin right from the day the child is planned.

Important Aspects to Consider: It is important to sit down with your husband/partner and deliberate on issues like finances, work schedules, shared responsibilities, and practical issues like moving closer to work/parents/support systems.

Weigh Your Work Responsibilities Carefully: Take a closer look at work-related responsibilities and whether or not travel for business will be possible.

Think of Options: Consider a change in job profile within the organization. Many women professionals choose to transfer to less-demanding work profiles in order to devote time to the home and child.

Flexi-work and Alternatives: Speak to Human Resources at work to determine whether the company has any policies for women such as flexi-working, work-from-home options, or a daycare center at work.

These are aspects that will help you plan ahead for being a mother and the challenges that come with the arrival of the baby. Thinking ahead will enable you to decide whether or not you need to get back to work in order to live life holistically.

Planning for D-Day—Going Back to Work

After the birth of the baby it is important to plan for the day maternity leave ends and your need to return to work. This means scheduling breastfeeding, making arrangements to pump at work, finding great child care while you are at work and more.

Plan for the Money: Work out your finances so that the expenses of child care stay within your monthly budget .

Plan for Child Care: Explore the various possibilities for child care. Find out whether family members are willing to help. Alternately look for a reputed daycare center near work (if your workplace has no daycare facilities) or a child care professional who will come to your home. Make arrangements for child care well in advance—say at least a month ahead. This is especially important if you need to bottle-feed the baby (to stop breastfeeding during work hours).

Plan for the Routine and Emergency: Plan with your spouse/partner the daily schedule and emergency backup in case you are held up at work. Choose the baby’s doctor carefully so that the doctor is available after work hours in case you need to schedule a visit for vaccinations or if the baby is unwell.

Plan for Personal Aspects: On a personal front consider things like a convenient diet for you while at work, arrangements that will help you pump your breasts at work, clothing that will flatter you yet serve “new mother” needs, transportation flexibility so that you can make a run home if required in the middle of the work day.

When it’s time to get back to work, aside from executing the above plans, it is equally important to handle the transition and associated emotions.

Ensure a Smooth Transition: Work with the caregiver on a one-on-one basis to ensure that the baby’s needs are met and the caregiver gets used to the feeding, play and sleep schedule. If the baby finds a comfort zone with the caregiver the trauma of being parted from you will be minimal.

Deal with Emotions: Learn to control your emotions. Parting from a baby can be hard but going back to work will benefit both of you in the long run. Experienced mothers will tell you that babies are resilient and happy beings and adjust quickly to change. Try not to let you feelings transmit to the baby—make going back to work a happy event.

Make Time for Bonding: Plan your housework such that you have plenty of time for the baby when you return home and in the mornings.

Its All About Happiness and Peace

The decision of going back to work must be made weighing all the pros and cons carefully. It’s a personal decision. Many mothers curtail their professional growth to be full time mothers, others decide on going back to work once the child begins school, yet others manage the jugglery well—continuing to work and still being wonderful mothers.

There are advantages and disadvantages to every aspect, but going back to work after the birth of the baby is a personal choice.

Choices in life must be made so that everyone lives life to the fullest and is at peace, both externally and internally. A happy home is one where a baby will thrive and grow into a wonderful being.