Back to work after 6wks??

DariJenee

First time mom. I'm really nervous going back to work FT 6 wks after the baby is born. We'll need the money. But the baby will only see me for a few hrs in the day and night. Will she think the nanny is her mom?? Will she forget I'm her mother?

Kris2011RN

She/He won't forget you. They will remember your smell, your milk, your voice. Those 6 weeks goes by fast but you will have a good bond by the end of those 6 weeks. 

Do you have STD? Can you start saving some money to help? 

Turn4Cindy

I hating this idea as well. I've started saving like a mad woman already so I can stay home longer. DH is working on a promotion before LO arrives. It's all we can do so I can stay home longer than 6wks! GL

MMason12

I am also a first time Mom and I work full-time.  I haven't decided how many weeks I will take off after the birth.  I automatically get 2 weeks of paid maternity leave and then after that I have to burn vacation time or take unpaid leave.  For the past year or so I have banking as much vacation time as I can in order to prepare for this.  At this point in time I have 570 hours of time banked, which equals about 82 days or almost 12 weeks.  By the time we reach my due date I will have banked 713 hours of time banked which equals 101 days or 14.5 weeks. 

I know will not burn all of my banked time and I won't burn more than 8 weeks total.  My DH will only be taking 2 weeks of FMLA once the baby is born to be home with us.  As a full-time working woman, I knew when we started ttc that there was none (zero!) way for me to be a stay at home Mom and I would have to go back to work after 8 weeks -- or sooner.  There are tons of women who work full-time and have amazing relationship with their kids. It is all about priorities and how you spend the time you have with your child that will matter. 

IBackBevo

I know this may not be possible with your job or your financial situation, but for me the solution was to go back part-time.  I did go back early (about 8 weeks), but going back at about 60-80 percent time really helped.  Of course, I fully realize not everyone has that option.

hsal

My husband hated when I went back to work because LO cried without me.  AS soon as I got home and put her in my arms, she was so much happier.  It's a big adjustment for both you and baby (plus DH) but you'll get through it! We couldn't afford for me not to go back to work full time so I just kept reminding myself that spending time away from her, helped me give the life I wanted her to have. 2 years later and she is a wonderfully adjusted little girl who loves her momma.

krlovell

I took 6 weeks off went back part time until Little man was 10 weeks then he went to daycare. I made a point of visiting at daycare on my lunch breaks so I could nurse and play with him a little. It broke up my day so it didn't seem like I was away from him too long. He's now a complete mommys boy!!! So don't worry about them forgetting you or think that someone else is their mom. No one will love them the way you do and they know that the minute they are put in your arms. You'll always be number 1!!

Pintobean39

With my second DS I had to go back to work part time when he was 4 weeks and full time at 6 weeks it was hard. What I did was get up early to feed him and have time in the morning. He still turned out to be a mamas boy. They never forget who their mama is!!!

tbiscuit18

I consider myself very lucky, I'm a teacher, and I've saved enough vacation and sick time to get me to the end of the school year. (with the hope that LO doesn't come early!) Then I will have the rest of the summer off. But, if I was due at any earlier in the year I would have to take vacation, sick time, and STD. My school does not offer paid maternity leave, so everything is on me. STD will not pay the bills if baby comes early. If that happens I will need to go back after only 15 days off. 
But, my husband works out of our home, so we will not have to pay for daycare. This will save a lot too. 

yvanehtnioj

I had it both ways as a child and I think you will be absolutely fine. My mom worked until I was 7 and I loved her more than anyone in the whole world and it didn't matter who I had been with all day, only when she came & got me. When I was older she was a SAHM and then I kind of envied the families who had two working parents. They had more money than us and I respected the moms who worked outside the house. I thought it was neat they had their own stuff going on.

ETA: try & make my point better

janer19

Do everything you can to stay longer. 6 weeks is nothing!

christieep

LO won't forget you.  I still have the biggest mama's boy ever despite the fact that I work full time.  Only having 6 weeks stinks, unfortunately some people get even less than that, which I think is awful.  You will always be LO's mommy.

panda10

I took 10 weeks off and it was perfect.

amberhoothoot

A 6 weeks return was really hard for me, but financially responsible. Everyone survives, and little one will NOT forget you. They know their momma like no one else.

Unknown

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