5 Tips To Help You Successfully Transition Back to Work After Baby

Disclosure :: this post is sponsored by Touro Infirmary.

Tips on Going Back to Work After Baby

The days of families existing on one wage-earners are long gone and current generations of women expect to return to work after having a baby. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy! Returning to work after maternity leave is difficult for many women and can be as early as 6 to 8 weeks after birth. You need to be prepared for your many emotions and separation anxiety. Here are a few tips to make this transition easier.

Do a practice run!

You are about to embark on a new routine, and it’s important to do a practice run before you head back to work for the first real day away. A week or two before you return, make yourself a to-do list and organize everything, including what you’ll need to pack for you and for baby once you return to work. Try setting your alarm early and creating a breast pump schedule. If necessary, arrange for child care and practice your new morning routine a few times. It will help ease your jitters, and make sure you aren’t missing anything important your first day back to work.  Also, you need to develop a backup plan if your baby gets sick.

Decompress before returning!

Try to enjoy some time just for yourself before you head back to work. Get your hair and nails done or enjoy a massage! Try to catch up with your friends before you start working. It’s good to have a support system especially if your friends are mothers too.

This might seem like an impossible task but try to get as much rest as possible. Sleep is important for both your physical and mental health. Try to establish a routine where everyone goes to sleep at a decent time. The whole family will be well-rested and ready to take on the day.

Stay calm at work!

If possible, transitioning slowly back into work by working part-time is helpful for some women, even if just for a week or two. You can use this time to set boundaries of what you can and can’t do with a newborn baby at home.

If you can’t work part-time, practice ways to cope with stress at work. You may feel overwhelmed being separated from your baby (which is totally normal) but try not to vent your frustrations to your co-workers and boss. Create a calendar and list your tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed at work. You might want to take on an extra-circular activity to decompress after work or during your lunch break, such as yoga. Remember to call on your support system, close friends or family, when you feel like you need to talk to someone.

Stay calm at home!

Try not to take your stress out on your partner and family at home. It is important to communicate with your partner about your feelings. Create a plan to divide household duties and don’t try to overdue it! It’s okay to ask for help from family and try to find a few minutes each day to relax and clear your mind.

One in a while., try to find a babysitter for a little one-on-one time with your significant other. You can also plan family time with the kids, such as a game night or movie night, which is a terrific way to relax and have fun with your family.

Join a local mom or support group!

Look into joining a group with local moms in your city, such as New Orleans Moms Blog or take a class like Diapers to Desk at Touro for emotional support. Touro is pleased to partner with the Diapers to Desk organization to bring support to moms before returning to work. The goal for Diapers to Desk is to equip women with skills and to provide some methods on how to be successful in the transition back to work. The class focuses on the first 10 days back, which for some come be the most stressful. The class will cover creating balance as a new parent, managing stress, breastfeeding and pumping, and finding support from employers and other resources. It is important to receive emotional support as you head back to work.

Diapers to Desk

Diapers to Desk equips new moms with the confidence and support needed to return to work from maternity leave. Parents deserve support and stability. Creating balance as a new parent can reduce turnover and stress.

What We Offer:

  • Free resources to allow you to regroup, shift focus, and create a healthy, balanced life.
  • Support from other professional working moms!

Join us for our next meeting: Tuesday, November 27 at Touro.

Click here for more information or to register contact Cheryl Tschirn at 504-897-7319 or [email protected]

Complimentary parking will be available for all classes in Touro’s parking garage on Delachaise Street across from the Emergency Department.

About Dr. Tara Morse

Dr. Tara Morse specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Crescent City Physicians, Inc., a subsidiary of Touro Infirmary. After earning her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center in Des Moines, Idaho, Dr. Morse completed her residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Dr. Morse chose to practice OB/GYN because she desires to care for women throughout their whole lives and feels honored to participate in the expansion of someone’s family.

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