Take a dry run : get your baby used to separating , arrange childcare your baby is happy with etc . Working out any kinks before they occur can save you a lot of time and grief .
• Consider a new working pattern . Nine to six may not suit your lifestyle anymore , but that doesn ’ t mean you have to quit . Consider flexible hours , working remotely , compressed workweeks or job shares . Talk with your boss and provide reasonable options . The flexibility has to work both ways . Be creative and think outside the box ; it will show your willingness to adapt and prove you ’ re still a force to be reckoned with !
• Share your feelings . As with any challenge or struggle , it often feels easier when you share your burden . Tap into your friends , both personal and professional , whenever you feel the need to talk . Holding it in will only leave you feeling frustrated and alone . And you ’ ll be surprised at just how many people have actually gone through similar emotions .
• Take it day by day . Accept that some days will be great and others not so great . Returning to work is an adjustment and it will take time to settle in . Don ’ t let perfect stop the good from happening . Take joy in knowing some things are going well , it doesn ’ t have to be everything . Focus on what you can control and don ’ t sweat the small stuff .
Breastfeeding and returning to work
If you are breastfeeding and returning to work you will need to get your pumping and feeding routine firmly established beforehand . I suggest the following tips to help get you on track :
Tips
• Consider introducing a ‘ dream feed ’ ( a bottle of expressed milk or formula ) at around 9:30-10pm once you and your baby are confident with breastfeeding .
Look back and take stock of what you ’ ve achieved instead of beating yourself up for not being perfect
You can outsource the dream feed to your partner or someone else , allowing you to get some extra rest . It will give your partner the chance to get involved and will let your baby get used to being fed by someone other than you .
• Start pumping and freezing as soon as you feel confident with breastfeeding and it is realistically possible . Ideally , you want to start to build a milk supply at least a month before you are due back to work . This will help you develop a habit and routine as well as establish an emergency milk supply .
The legalities of maternity leave
If an employee has been employed under a continuous contract for at least 40 weeks immediately before the commencement of scheduled maternity leave , has given notice of pregnancy and her intention to take maternity leave , and has presented a medical certificate specifying the expected due date , she is eligible for 10 weeks paid maternity leave . The daily rate of maternity pay is equivalent to four fifths of the average daily salary earned by an employee in the 12-month
• Once back at work you will need to take two or three breaks of 15-20 minutes to pump during the day , depending on your baby ’ s routine . Talk to your boss and work out a schedule well beforehand .
• Find out whether your office has a quiet , private area you can use to pump . A relaxed Mama can pump a lot more than a stressed one .
Be mindful of the fact that the combination of returning to work and breastfeeding does not work for everyone , whether for physical , emotional or practical reasons . Know that there are safe alternative options out there . Remember you are not , superwoman , and you don ’ t have to be .
Keep in mind that even the most successful Mamas have bad days . On those days try to look back and take stock of what you ’ ve achieved instead of beating yourself up for not being perfect . If your family is fed , you ’ ve all made it through the day , and even managed to smile a few times , give yourself a pat on the back- you ’ re doing it !
Sofie Jacobs graduated in midwifery in 1998 . She is founder of Urban Hatch .
period preceding the first day of the maternity leave . A pregnant employee , upon agreement by the employer , may decide to start her maternity leave two to four weeks before the expected date of confinement . If a date has not been agreed , the employee shall commence maternity leave four weeks before the date of confinement .
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