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Easing the Transition
Returning to Work After Maternity Leave
By Jean H. Manrique
The days, weeks or months you took off from work to get to know your baby may have slipped through your fingers, or dragged on forever. Some moms can't wait to get back to the stimulation of their careers, and others weep at the thought of leaving their babies behind each day.
Whether you are returning to work after maternity leave for financial reasons, because you crave adult interaction or for a reason all your own, the transition can be difficult for you and your family. You'll have to be apart from your baby while also creating new routines at home and at work. But if 10 million mothers in the US with children younger than 6 can do it, so can you.
Perhaps the most important preparation for returning to work after your maternity leave should be done long before the office baby shower. Early in your pregnancy, let your boss know that you are expecting. Research your maternity leave benefits and find out if short-term disability, unused vacation or sick leave can be used to extend your maternity leave.
Talk with your boss about the possibility of rearranging your work schedule when you return. Consider working different hours, working part time for the first few months, job-sharing or working from home a few days a week. Be prepared prior to presenting your ideas to your boss and keep in mind how the arrangement will be mutually beneficial.
Marlene Rehe, nurse and lactation educator at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Ill., encourages expectant parents to check out daycare in advance of maternity leave. "You are leaving your most precious possession with this daycare provider, and you have to be able to trust her," Rehe says. "Make sure you are comfortable with the arrangement and that the provider is supportive of letting your child follow your routines, such as schedules and breastfeeding."
Finalize your arrangements in advance so you can devote yourself to your baby when he arrives. "During the first six weeks you are adjusting to parenthood – developing your confidence as a parent and in parenting skills," Rehe says. "This is an important bonding time with your baby. Don't even think about work these first weeks."
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