Helpful tricks for time mgmt/comfort

Barbara83

Hi all, my maternity leave is coming to an end soon and I'm starting to think about what I need to do to prep for the transition. What are some things you do to save time and make sure you're prepped for work/ day care during the week?
Here's my list so far:
Print out photos of baby for desk
Lay out outfits for week on Sun
Make lunch the night before
Buy grab and go breakfast items
Pack diaper bag nightly

I'm also thinking of putting my pump in a backpack to carry on the train to and from work and keeping a small purse in there as well so I'm not carrying 2 bags. My pump is kind of big and heavy. What do you do if you pump and don't drive to work?

What are some things that has helped you with the transition back to work and/or saved you time getting out the door in the morning?

financialdiva

Buy three days worth of pump parts and bottles. Use your dishwasher. Run them through the dishwasher overnight, unload them onto a drying rack in the morning and they will be dry and ready for prep that evening.

I think your list is pretty good.

blushingbride_08

I would have a meal plan for dinner so you don't have to worry about that when you get home. My crockpot is my best friend. Also have an extra shirt at work in case your breastmilk leaks through your shirt. I would be stuck in a meeting and couldn't make it to the lactation room to pump. Also have extra breast pads and pumping storage bags at your desk. I would also bring my LO's onsie with me so I could hold and smell it while pumping. I know weird but it helped me produce milk.

daisy662

Ditto crockpot. Last thing I want to do when I finally get home is cook. It is so nice to walk into a yummy smelling house with dinner already done. I also like to buy the frozen veggies that you can steam in the bag in the microwave. We eat those just about every night. They take 5 minutes in the micro. Huge help and somewhat healthy if you get the right ones!

litzo27

I keep my pump at work and only transport the bottles in a cooler bag. I wash the falanges in the bathroom and take them home to sterilized twice a week. Keep an extra set of pump falanges, bottles at work. Also an extra handsfree bra just in case (even a cheapie made from sports bra would do although the real deal is worth the money).

Some people save time by evening showers. I try to work out in the morning so can't always do that.

Someone on this board gave a great tip - after you get ready and dressed put a bathrobe over your clothing. So if baby spits up or something you don't have to change.

Shopping lists and cooking plans...I cook 2 a week and we do takeout 1 a week and we eat leftovers.

If you havnt started a freezer stash do it. Pump once with or after a morning feed when supply is highest.

jnnfrrose6

Take a few days before you actually go back to get up and do your morning routine so you aren't rushing around the first morning back trying to remember everything.  It will also help get LO onto the new schedule (if it's going to be different for LO too).