Are you planning on heading back to work soon? Is your maternity leave coming to an end? Then you should get accustomed to your workplace sooner rather than later. You will probably have a rush of feelings given that you’ll be separated from your baby for a while. But you need to ensure that you go back fully prepared, so you lower your stress levels when it comes to your baby ad your work.
Figure Out A Childcare Solution
The first thing that you want to ensure is that you have someone to look after your baby when your maternity leave ends. You can choose whichever you’re comfortable with whether it is reaching out to a relative or opting for a service provider. Figure out what the best solution is for your baby, and then go on with your decision. You will need to test this out before your maternity leave end though so that you can ease your baby into adjusting to the new schedule.
Stock Up On The Necessary Things
The next thing you have to do is make sure that you have all the relevant things on hand for when you leave. You don’t want to leave your baby hungry for long durations, so it is best to invest in a breast pump that can help you store breastmilk. You will also need a hands free pump bra so that you can go about pumping your breastmilk at different locations with ease.
Apart from the breast pump bra, you will need to get a hold of nursing pads to ensure that you can take care of your leaking breasts at work, and avoid any awkward situations.
Reach Out To The Human Resource Department
You want to make sure that you are prepared when you head back to work. The best thing to do is reach out to the human resource department and ask them about the details regarding your comeback. Know which date you will be coming back to work and plan your schedule accordingly. Doing this will help you plan out the entire process of your returning to work without any confusion.
Moreover, you will also have to ask the human resource department whether they will be providing you with a lactation room or not. Talking this out with them will help put out the fact that you will need a space where you can easily pump your breastmilk.
Wear Clothes That Offer Comfort
Another important thing that you will need to figure out is your clothing. Don’t try to fit into your old work clothes as that will only make you feel sad. It is natural to put on weight during your pregnancy, so don’t be worried about trying to fit into your old clothes as soon as possible.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle, and get yourself new clothes that you will be more comfortable wearing. Don’t try to force your body into uncomfortable clothing. You will feel self-conscious the whole time, and lower your productivity as well. The best thing to do is get comfortable and new clothing for yourself that you can easily wear throughout your time at work until you lose the pregnancy weight.
Get A Bag That Will Hold All The Relevant Items
You will be required to carry your pump and many other items with it. Your old bag might not be able to handle all of these things, and you will surely need an upgrade. This can help you with other things as well.
Keeping your bag next to your baby at the backseat is the best thing that you can do. This will help you remember that you need your child to be dropped off at the childcare before you head to work.
Do A Test Run
Before you’re supposed to start work, do a test run and see how long it takes you to get ready, feed your baby, head out to drop your baby to the childcare, and then reach work. Doing this will help you figure out the timing that you need to set for your schedule.
Planning it in your head isn’t the only thing that you will need to do as most of the time, things change in reality. So, it is best to test your entire plan out to make sure that you will reach your workplace in time, without overlooking your baby’s needs.
Ease Back Into The Workplace
You will be excited to get back into your workplace, but make sure that you don’t go overboard with the work. Learn how to ease into it rather than staying at work for long hours. You do not want to neglect your baby as you do this. So, make sure that when you head back to work, you take things one day at a time.
If you rush in, then things might become troublesome for you. You will feel more pressure, and that isn’t healthy for you or your baby!
Learn How To Say No
Don’t let others overwork you right when you get back. If you do this, you will always be swamped with work and stress. The best thing to do is to learn how to say no to others. This doesn’t mean that you stop taking any kind of responsibility. Instead, only take that much responsibility that you can bear without hindering your life away from work.
You do not want your baby to be devoid of attention from you. So, make sure that you are being smart about this and not letting others push you around. Do work that you can easily do, and then eventually take on more responsibility when you are physically and mentally more capable.
Take all of these tips into consideration as you go about planning your return after maternity leave. Make sure that you aren’t neglecting your baby, and that you are completely prepared to head back to your workplace. Become emotionally and physically ready to ensure that you have a good time once you get back. Don’t take added stress, and work out a plan that will ensure that you can take care of yourself and your baby adequately!
