Easing Back into Work After Having a Baby

Perhaps you've prearranged a date for your return to work after taking a leave to welcome a new baby or child into your family or you may be so engrossed in the early weeks of your new life with baby that you are finding it difficult to even think about returning to work. Regardless of your intentions prior to taking time off from work to devote to new parenthood, trying to get back in the groove and get ready to return to work can seem daunting and overwhelming. Instead of planning to make a sudden change, here are some suggestions for how to "ease" back into work after becoming a new parent:

Start by making a flexible plan before you become a new parent. Mark out some dates on the calendar and talk to your supervisor about your plans-but keep things a bit on the flexible side. Children have a way of arriving and operating on their own schedules and the circumstances surrounding the birth or adoption may not go exactly as you have carefully planned. But, it's still important to make a loose plan and keep the lines of communication open with your workplace.

See if you can set up a situation where you go back to work part-time or on a flex-time basis if possible. Perhaps plan on working part-time for the first week or two when you go back to work and work up to full time. Prior to your return, it might help to make a few visits to work just to touch base, remind people that you still exist and show your commitment to coming back to work. It is also becoming increasingly possible for people to telecommute. Perhaps you can do some work at home before returning to work full time.

About two weeks before returning to work, practice your new schedule at home with the family. Set your alarm, get up, pump your breasts if you will be pumping, etc. Try to get everyone ready and prepared for the changes when you go back to work. You'll want to make sure that you have your day care arranged and have made a few "dry runs" and practice trips to the day care provider too. This will help both you and your baby prepare for the inevitable changes.