Tips for moms having to go back at 6 weeks pp.

Julie - posted on 11/30/2012

You must live in the U.S., correct? It really sucks that you have to return back to work early. I know business is business but how can an employer be so - inconsiderate? Here in Ontario, Canada we can take up to 1 year off after having or adopting a baby (the rules differ slightly). We can start our leave up to 8-10 weeks before our due date but that lessens the time with your baby (by 8-10 weeks). However, commercial/licensed/regulated daycares do not accept children until the age of - usually 14 months so you're kind of "screwed" there. If you can find a trusted private daycare provider then they may take the child earlier.



Trying to stick to a schedule with a baby is so difficult but in time your son will become use to the routine. It was pretty easy for me when I did return back to work because my daughter was older and she rarely slept. She's always been an early riser. It wasn't easy but we did it.



Now, with my little one (who is almost a year) due to circumstances beyond my control, I HAD to join the workforce again when she was around 3 mos old. My mom watches her while I'm at work. This kid LOVES to sleep and will sleep until between 8:30-10:00 am!! Truth be told, I don't like that at all. My routine has always been wake up early - work early. My husband works strictly nights so he's pretty much a write-off as far as the kids are concerned. They have to be on my schedule. I can't wait to start my leave with the little guy come the New Year so that I can get my 1yr old on a routine. My mom was never one for routine even with my sister and I so I didn't put too much expectations on her; she's doing me a hell of a favour right now so I'm not going to complain - just change it when I'm able to.



Point being is that I think you'll do fine. Sorry....pregnancy hormones and baby-brain cause me to ramble. LOL

Ashley - posted on 11/25/2012

Yes I've become good at quick breakfast because I never liked the hour commute and always found a way to get up and out the door in 15 minutes flat. I also invested in a hair cut to save time. Much easier than long hair you have to dry and fuss with

Mommy - posted on 11/25/2012

I recently went back to work for the second time after maternity leave, and both times I worried about getting to work on time. The first week will be a little tough, but once you get that down it will go very smooth. Some days there will be hiccups, but other than that it will work out.



A couple things I do is put out clothes for me and my kids the night before. I also keep a list on the fridge by the door of things I need to make sure I bring with me that day, and pack all bags and lunches and having them waiting by the door or in the fridge, if necessary. I eat breakfast once i get to work. You might be able to shave 10 minutes from you schedule by substituting breakfast that you normally eat with a granola bar and a protein shake. Both you can get ready the night before and eat on your way.

Faye - posted on 11/20/2012

YEA to his sleeping most of the night. My first slept from the first night home, the second, well he decided that sleep was over rated so he woke every night for 10 months.

Ashley - posted on 11/20/2012

Not much snow around these parts, and luckily it's rural so literally traffic does not exist. I was planning on more like 5:15 instead of 5:30, but thank you so much for 'tweaking' the proposed schedule. Ill start with 5 and see how it goes. I usually grab breakfast on the way but since I'll be working 5 not 4 days I oughtta start being a little healthier. He doesn't have a really apparent spit up problem, it's just occasional, definitly not every day. He's a good burper and the formula seems to like him and vice versa.



(by the way, oh my lord he actually laid down to sleep by 10pm! So excited he's actually sleeping at all at night!!! Know it'll be a while before he sleeps most of the night but the fact I could get him chilled out and sleeping right now is phenomenal)

Faye - posted on 11/20/2012

Get up at 5 am, get yourself ready - all but clothes, (baby WILL spit up on you once you are dressed unless you wait besides that robes are much easier to toss on the dirty pile if a sick baby occurs), including breakfast for you, Then get him up, fed, changed, dressed and in car seat/bouncer. At 6:10 am, you change your clothes so that at 6:20 am you can leave home. If you live in an area which is prone to snow, leave at 6 am which means getting up even earlier.

Teresa - posted on 11/19/2012

i agree with OP that you should give yourself more time. if i think i can get Henry ready and in the car and to the daycare in 15mins, it'll take 35. i wouldn't schedule yourself to within 5mins of start time at work, once you've been doing it for a few weeks and get the hang of it then maybe you can sleep in a bit :)



sorry your employer dropped that bomb on you. i had to go back a week earlier than i expected too and it was no fun.

Amy - posted on 11/18/2012

I'm sorry your employer did that to you! My one suggestion is to give yourself extra time in the morning. When I returned to work I was late everyday for the first month 1/2 because no matter what I did I never got out of the house on time and I didn't even have to drop the kids anywhere they stayed home with their dad.

Ashley - posted on 11/17/2012

Meant to put a comma between car seat and feeding, lol no I don't feed him in the car seat. The car seat in my 2 door car was a source of anxiety until I found out it wasn't that bad, and feeding schedule was the other thing that stressed me out. He still is very much eating in demand every 3-4 hours. He sleeps 4 hours at night and wants to eat every 2-3 hours during the day. I'm hoping this is a sign hes starting to realize when it's daytime and nighttime.