It’s usually somewhere around eight weeks postpartum that we start to feel that panic around the impending date to return to work that is now suddenly about a month away. Where did the time go? The days felt long but the weeks went by fast, full of feeds, diaper changes, sleepless nights, and reheating your coffee 3x in a row before you finally drink it.
As we think about returning to work, we wonder how we can possibly maintain this new-parent routine once back at work? As a mom of three and Nurse Practitioner who has supported thousands of parents through this newborn stage, as co-founder of NAPS, I can promise you there will be a shift. Around 12 weeks, your baby will start to sleep longer stretches at night, your feeding schedule will feel more regular, and naps will start to fall into place. While the timing isn’t ideal, this all might happen around when you’re going back to work, it’s going to happen and it will all come together.
For now, rather than spending your final weeks or precious hours on maternity leave exhausting your mental load of trying to craft the perfect schedule, I want to give you a few things to think about that WILL help your transition back to work feel smoother as a breastfeeding and pumping mom.
These are the things that I, as a working mom of 3, wish I had thought about more when I was postpartum and returning to work. In our upcoming webinar series with Momcozy, I’ll cover logistics from navigating breastfeeding and supply to storing breastmilk, to what to pack in your work pumping bag, and then navigating a schedule when away from baby to sleep.
For now, let's dive into a different checklist for you to review, one that’s just as important as what to pack in your diaper bag or pump bag: setting boundaries for a successful maternity leave and return to work.
Boundaries might feel like you’re saying no, but really, they are a way of saying yes to yourself. They are a “no” that makes sure your emotional, physical, and mental well-being don't jump ship during an already stressful time. So, while you’re sipping that re-warmed coffee, I want you to ask yourself questions from this checklist:
🤱Where can you set boundaries in your current professional role?
Example: If you need to alter your work schedule due to childcare drop-off/pick-up, where can you be flexible? It’s non-negotiable that you have to leave by 5 p.m. to pick up your baby, but can you negotiate that you will show up a little early in the morning to reply to emails or catch up on projects or tasks? And perhaps, your partner will take on morning drop-off?
🌟What are habits or beliefs that you used to have when working that are no longer going to work when you return?
Example: A belief is that you have to reply to someone’s work email right away or at all hours. Can you set up an auto-reply on your emails in the evenings if you can no longer log back in like you used to?
🍼What is your plan for feeding your baby and what plan needs to be communicated with your manager, co-worker, childcare, or family for success?
Example: If you are planning to continue breastfeeding or pumping, how can you block protected time in your day to pump? Where can those stops go in your day and who do you need to communicate with before you return (aka, don’t block over your time!)?
Related Read: Pumping at Work For Breastfeeding Moms
👪Who are your people? At home and at work?
Example: Knowing that you can’t function 100% all of the time to everyone - who can you lean on for help when needed at work? And/or, who can you lean on for help at home - from childcare to your partner and tag teaming to family or friends? It’s crucial you ask for help.
🍲What can you outsource?
Example: From dog walking to laundry to meals for yourself or your baby, can you offload something to make your life a little easier during this phase of your life?
☀️What are things that you like to do that make you feel like YOU? And, how can you plug those moments into any given day or week?
Example: Can you set a boundary with your partner that on a certain morning and time, you can go to that workout class you enjoy? Or on a Saturday morning, can you plan a walk outside alone while listening to your favorite podcast? Taking time for you will fill your cup and make you a better mom, partner, family member, and colleague.
Setting boundaries can be as tricky as changing a diaper in the dark. It often involves redefining relationships, and if you're anything like me, you might find yourself surrounded by fear, anxiety, and jumping to conclusions. But here's the twist – setting boundaries is not a betrayal of anyone, except for maybe your pre-baby self if you ignore them. Don't betray yourself to please others. So, now that you’ve made it to the end - grab a piece of paper and start writing out some of the things that come to mind from this checklist. And, be sure to sign up for the upcoming webinar series Nurturing New Beginnings. I can’t wait to see you there.
